The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-09-13
THE LATlMBR 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.


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 a sort Of sullen
quietude, which appears even more
ominous. AL sorts Of rumor are
afloat, IN being to the effect that 5000
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
Wllkesbarre, was the first detachment
Of the state militia to arrive. They
came in after . O'Clock and camped on
the ommon in 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 a large but orderly
crowd. Indignation against the depu-
ties is running high, and the charge is
publicly made that there was absolutely
no necessity for the horrible slaughter.
The miners, it is declared, were not
armed in any way, and if the deputies
feared trouble a single shot wei 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
orders from Chief Filler to stop the
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 i'll for some time,
and is now laid up with rheumatism.
The physicians have fatty refused his
desire to take a hand in the trouble.
Stcry 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 4 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
! B. Price. They drew up in line at the
Z edge Of the village, with q fence and
line Of houses in their rear. Sheriff
Martin was i'll entire command and
stood in the front Of the line until the
strikers approached. They were seen
coming across the ridge and Martin
1 went out to meet them. The men drew
\ up sullenly and listened in silence until
he had
Once More Read the Riot Act.
IA This finished, q low muttering arose
among the foreigners and there was q
slight movement forward. PeIceivinq
4 this the sheriff stepped toward them
and in a determined tone forbade ad.
81 vance. Some one struck the sheriff
and the next moment there was o com.
4 mand to the deputies to fire. The guns
gsof the deputies instantly belched forth
terrible volley. The report seemed t.
1Sbhake the very mountains and q cry OF
H%diamay went up. from the people. The
Strikers were taken entirely by surprise
and as the men toppled and fell ove'
each other. those who remained unhpr'
btampeded The men went down be
ore the storm of bullets like ten pint