The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-09-13
THB LATIMBR RIOT
Nineteen Dead and Forty Injured
as a Result Of the Depu-
ties Volley.
Indignation Runs Very High, the
Shooting Being Considered
UnWarranted.
Several Thousand State Militia
men Now at the Scene Of
Trouble.

HAzLEToN, Pa, Sept l3.-Nineteen
\dead and Al wounded is the record of
the Winchesters welded by the deputy
sheriffs at Latimer. Eleven of the un-
fortunate miners dropped dead in their
tracks under the terrible battery, four
more died during the night and four
have since been added to the record.
So far from being wildly excited. this
place is pervaded by sort Of sullen
quietude, which appears even more
ominous. All sorts of rumors are
af1oat, one being to the effect that 5000
strikers from the South Side miners
were marching OH Hazleton with the
purpose Of wreaking vengeance for the
shooting. They had not reached here
at noon. and it was later reported that
they had dispersed upon learning of the
presence Of the troops.
The Ninth regiment of the Third
brigade, under Colonel Dougherty of
Wilkesbarre, was the first detachment
Of the state militia to arrive. They
came in after o'clock aud camped on
the common ir the center of Hazleton.
Coroner Bowman has empaneled a
jury to inquire into the bloody affair.
Indignation Runs High.
The arrival of the soldiers was not
marked by any demonstration further
than the gathering Of large but orderly
crowd. Indignation against the depu-
ties is running high, and the charge is
publicly made that there was absolutely
2lo necessity for the horrible slaughter.
The miners, it is declared, were not
armed in any way, and if the deputies
feared trouble single shot over their
heads would have dispersed them. The
fact is clear, however, that many Of
the victims were shot through the back
while flying from the guns of the depu.
ties The local police force has been
considerably increased and has received
slightest attempt at disorder. While
Filler does not anticipate any outbreak,
yet from his long experience with the
foreign element he considers them wary
anu treacherous. Mayor Altmiller Of
Hazleton has been ill for some time,
and is now laid up with rheumatism.
The physicians have fatty refused his
desire to take hand in the trouble.
Story of the Bloody Conflict.
The strikers left Hazleton at $3.50
o'clock, announcing their intention to
go to Latimer. AS soon as this became
known band Of 20 deputies was loaded
on a trolley car and went whirling
across the mountain to the scene where
the bloody conflict followed. After
reaching Latimer they left the car and
formed into three companies under
Thomas Hall, E. A. Hess and Samuel
3 B. Price. They drew up in line at tho
edge Of the village, with fence and
line Of houses in their rear. Sheriff
Martin was in entire command and
stood in the front of the line until the
strikers approached. They were seen
coming across the ridge and Martin
&went out to meet them. The men drew
Aup sullenly and listened in silence until
Hhe had
W Once More Read the Riot Act.
This finished, low muttering arose
among the foreigners and there was q
n slight movement forward. Perceiving
n This the sheriff stepped toward them
n and in determined tone forbade adj
q vance. Some one struck the sheriff
81 and the next moment there was com.
Il 1bsmand to the deputies to fire. The guns
lSSpf the deputies instantly belched forth
MD terrible volley. The report seemed to
&hake the very mountains and cry of
aiamay went up from the people. The
5trikers were taken entirely by surprise,
Ind as the men toppled and fell over
zach other those who remained unhprt
Itampeded The men went down be-
ore the storm Of bullets like ten pins