Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-09-11
RIOTERS KILLED,

Inc StrlKe SITUATION reached crlSle
on the outskirts of Latimer, Pa, yes.
terday afternoon, when band of dep
uty sheriffs fred into an Infatuated mob
of miners. Reports run from fifteen to
twenty.odd killed and forty or more
wounded. Many of these will die.
The strikers left Hazleton at $3.50
o'clock yesterday afternoon, announc.
ing their intention to 60 to Latimer.
As soon as this became known a
company of deputies boarded a trolley
Car and went across the mountains to
the scene where the bloody conflict
followed. After reaching Latimer they
left the car and formed into three com.
panies. They drew up in line at the
edge of the village, with fence and q
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 up sullenly, and lis.
tened in silence until he had once more
read the riot act. This finished. low
muttering arose among the for.
eigners, and there was slight
movement forward. Perceiving this,
the sheriff stepped toward them
and in determined tone forbade
the advance. Some one struck the sher.
if, and the next moment there was a
command to the deputies to fire.. The
guns of the deputies instantly belched
forth terrible volloy and roar of dis
may went up from the people. The
strikers were taken entirely by surprise
and as the men fell over each other
those who remained unhurt stampeded.
The excitement that followed was in.
describable. The deputies seemed to
be terror-stricken at the deadly execu.
ton of their guns, and seeing the living
strikers fleeing they went to the aid of
the unfortunates whom they had
brought down.
The people of Latlmer rushed pell.
nell to the scene.
A reporter who soon afterwards
reached the scene found the road lead
ing to Latimer filled. with groups of
frightened Hungarisns. Some sur.
rounded dying companions, and others,
fearful of pursuit, chung to the new.
conner and begged his protection.
Citizens meetings were held in vsri-
GUS parts of the city last night. Opin.
ion was divided about the responsibility
for the shooting. at one meeting,
attended by prominent business
men, resolutions were adopted calling
on Governor Hastings to send the mil
tia Immediately. At other mass meet
ings, attended by thousands of people,
the sentiment was against bringing the
troops, and it is asserted by these that
there was no necessity for having the
deputies there.
The sohoolhouse was transformed in
to temporary hospital, and some of
the wounded were taken there. The
colliery ambulance was summoned to
the place as soon as possible. All along
the hillside wounded men were found
on the green, on the roadside and in
the fields. Many others who had been
carried to q distance could not be
found.
AS soon as the news of the shooting
reached Hazleton there was consterns.
ton. Within ten minutes the streets
we're blocked with excited people. The
Lehigh Traction Company Immediately
placed number of extra cars on the
Latimer line, and doctors and clergy.
men responded promptly. The rush Of
people to LatiDaer was 80 great that
vehicles along the road were impeded.
Amid the excitement the deputies
turned their attention to the wounded,
and carried many of them to places
where they could be more comfortably
treated.
The Third Brigade has been ordered
out by the Governor.