The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-08-05
STORM VERSUS STRIKE.
Experiences of the Miners Be-
sieging De Armit's Mine
Some Jubilation.

sternation was caused in the miners
camp last evening by terrific wind and
electrical storm, which passed over the
Turtle Greek Valley, doing a great deal
of damage. AT Sandy Creek a tree in
the yard Of the Jefferson schoolhouse, un-
der which was group of the striking
miners, who are in camp at that place,
keping watch on the De Armit mines,
was struck by bolt and shattered into
matchwood splinters. Two of the men,
Vincent Coffic, from the Essen mine No.
8. and George Sedwick, from the Moon
Run district, were shocked into insensi-
bility. Their condition is still critical.
Six others were also shocked and badly
frightened, but soon recovered.
The occurrence caused the widest ex-
element among the striking miners. The
storm came upon them without warning,
and there was a wild scurry for shelter,
of which there was none at all except
that afforded by their one small tent and
the trees. AS soon as it was seen that
two of the men were in a serious condi-
ton several of their comrades were dis
patched for medical assistance, while
others carried the two stricken men into
a nearby farmhouse, where they were
later attended by DR.. Wilson, of Rodi
When the storm came up many of the
strikers, forgetting that they were going
onto company property and into the com
pany of deputy sheriffs, took refuge in De
Armit's stables, where the deputies are
quartered They were not discovered un-
til the storm had passed, and they were
Immediately ordered away.
rTvt,o fn n
the mines operating in Westmoreland
county and Central Pennsylvania.
An advance guard will probably start
for Irwin today, where a camp will be
established. Other bodies will follow to-
morrow and Saturday, the advance
guard simply being silent notification
that the men are coming.
By the first of next week, when the
strike leaders say they expect to have
all the New York and Cleveland Com
pany,s mines closed tight the strikers at
Turtle Creek, Plum Creek and Sandy
Creek will move on into the Westmore-
land field and locute camps at the diff
ferent mines there
All of the Westmoreland county mines
are running, and it is to stop the putting
of coal into the Pittsburg market from
these mines that the move is contem-
plated.
The managers of the Westmoreland
Coal Co. state they will not enjoin the
strikers, but are ready for them. They
will be treated as trespassers. The men
at work for the Penn Gas Coal Co. are
in the same position, and the company
will use the same tactics.
There is an agreement between De Ar
init and the WestmorelaNd Company, and
the former ships west only, the latter
east.
If the strikers are successful in causing
a suspension of work at the WeStmore-
land mines the march to the Central
Pennsylvania fields will be taken up. The
miners in this district are in sympathy
with the movement and at convention
of Clearfield and Jefferson county miners
yesterday the strike leaders were re-
quested to give some attention to Cen
tral Pennsylvania with a view of holding
a general convention of all miners ship
ping coal to the eastern Seaboard
The strikers are jubilant over their sue
cess at De Armits mine. The total out
put yesterday was eighteen gondola
cars. Superintendent De Armit says the
Plum Creek output on Tuesday was 30
cars, ten more than the mine was given
credit for by the strikers Colonel A. E.
McCandlesS surgeon in chief of the
Pennsylvania National Guard and Col
A. J. Logan, quartermaster general, on
the staff of Gov. Hastings, were in Turtle
Creek today. 1t is said that they We're
looking for a suitable site for camp IN
case the troops should be called out. Col
McC,andless refused to affirm or deny
that he was in the district in connection
with the INQUIRIES being made by the Gov
ernor. At the present time there is alb
solutely no need Of troops, as the sheriff
has his men we'll in hand, and the strik-
ers are disposed to keep strictly WITHIN
the bounds of the law.
President Dolan has announced that the
next demonstration at Camp Determine
tion will take place Saturday evening. 1t
will he a record breaker All of the steel
workers from Homestead and Braddock
will be present. Plans are being matured
for the strikers to march to Braddock,
with their brass bands, etc, and march
back gathering recruits all along the
route.
the camp such a crowd as has never yet
assembled about the speakers stand.
At least forty thousand are expect
cd from the towns ON the MOnOgahela.