Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-14
ALL is UNCERTAINTY.
HAZLETON FEARFUL OF THE
EVENTS OF TO-DAY.
TROUBLE At THE COKE HINES.
City Troop, Of Philadelphia, the
Crack Corps of Cavalrymen, Order
Miners shot Friday.

ton quivers tonight on the edge of
volcano. Uncertainty Is the keynote of
the situation, and the town is sleeplessly
awaiting the dawn Of a day fraught with
unknown and fearful possibilities. At
this writing troops are marching on the
mines Of Coke Brothers, at Eckley. which
nestles in a valley about eighteen miles
from here. kilograms to brigade head
quarters late this afternoon indicated an
alarming condition there. The remote
ness of the situation will make difficult
the securing of definite news from the
scene before morning.
The first knowledge of disturbance at
the Coke coIlieries reached brigade head
quarters this morning, when General
Goblin received a dispatch that 200 miners
at Buck mountain, three miles from
Eckley, had gone on strike, and begun
to march on the Eckley mine. Request
was made for detachment of militia
to avert possible conflict. but before the
soldiers could be started off to the scene
the authorities were reassured by the
receipt OF second telegram. to the ef-
feet that the march had been stopped,
and no further trouble was feared. Late
this afternoon a third dispatch changed
the situation for the worse 1t is said
that the march had been resumed and
carried to the Eckley mines. and that
the men there had been forced to quit
work, after rough handling by the march
ing men.
The City Troop. of Philadelphia. the
Cr1nk caValrVfnQn a NIL ri
TO proceed to Eckley. To reach the spot
they will have to ride over eighteen miles
OF rough mountain road.
The news has created consternation
throughout the district, and all the col
leries are preparing for trouble
General Goblin has been deluged with
requests for troops, but declares that
he will send none to any point unless
an outbreak really occurs. This Is
measure OF preeaution, TO keep the SOL
diers modified.
SUGGESTION OF DYNAMITE.
The mine superintendents are much
worried, and have asked the command
er TO place guards around their houses,
which will be done. There Is a story
afioat concerning a conversation over
heard on the streets of HaZleton to-day,
but 1t should be accepted with reserya-
ton. The story goes that a group of
miners were standing on corner when
one was heard to remark: 1--WE got the
material, but l don't know how to mix
the stuff. If | did I'd blow them
up tonight
1t is said that the guards were placed
about the superintendents houses as a
result of this.
To-day has been regarded as the turn
ing point In the situation, because of
the prohibition issued by General Goblin
against the proposed funeral demonstra-
tion. A compromise was effected, how
ever, and the day passed off without
disturbance.
In the mean time the Coke collleries
were being watched with intense anx!-
ETY.. 1t was known that the 2,000 men
employed at No. had made a demand
for a 10 per cent. advance, which was
TO be submitted to the operators to-
day. with the alternative of a strike.
From 5000 to 1000 men are employed at
all the collieries and IL was understood
that such movement would bring them
all out.
A big meeting was called for at Stock
ton for tonight but il was not thought
that anything would be resolved on
The Coke Company store feature does
not enter into the case
Another late afternoon report was tnst
the employees of ex-Congressman Lessen
rings upper Lehigh colliery will go out
tomorrow on a sympathetic strike. AS
an Increase of 10 per cent was granted
on Saturday to the McAdoo men, they
have expressed their intention to return
TO work tomorrow, although they do not
expect to remain I'm more than day un-
der the pressure that will be brought to
bear by the other strikers. Altogether, an
eventful day Is in prospect
TROOPS WILL REMAIN.
General Goblin said this evening that a
withdrawal of the troops had not been
considered for a moment. They VIII re-
main on the ground until the Sheriff Is
convinced that he will be fully able TO
cone with any emergency that may arise.
The rumors that martial law has been
declared the General says, have been
spread by vicious persons. There is
martial law only so far as a state or
war exists" he said. I'VE are here
solely to assist the Sheriff in maintain
ing peace and order. Men can come and
go as they please. so long as they bes
have themselves. IL there is the slightest
infraction OF the peace which the civic
authorities are unable TO handle. then
we will render assistance but such an
occasion has not yet arisen"
The first discord occurred to-day be-
tween the military and the strikers. Fol-
lowing General Gobins order against the
proposed funeral demonstration, he ar
ranged for a conference this morning
with the priests, who are looking after
the cause OF the men. He impressed them
with the necessity for preventing any
show of a military character, and said
he would permit no uniformed men to
participate. except those representing So
cieties. Bands OF music, side-arms, sticks,
and banners were also prohibited. The
priests promised that all these should
be done and the commander, ON the
other hand, agreed TO keep all
troops out of the way OF the funerals,
although he later revoked the clause re-
gardng music. There were men in the
line wearing italian uniforms and others
carrying drawn sabres. Six OF the latter
stood In front of the church during the
ceremony within. Learning OF this, the
commander promptly dispatched staff
officer and a detail OF men to the ceme-
terry, but when they arrived the services
were all over and the mourners had dis
persed.
The General stated that he would de-
mand an explanation from the clergy
men.
YESTERDAYS FUNERALS.
AS a matter Of fact. there was little
change in the programme arranged by
the miners for to-day's funerals. There
were twelve In all. but two proceeded
from Harwood direct TO the cemetery.
without regard to the other ten. who
united in an extensive correge. The
corpses lay in shop in Hazleton for
several hours. where they were viewed
by a large crowd. In the mean time,
the other two were borne over the sug-
ged mountain roads leading to HARDWOOD.
When the start from the shop to the