The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-09-16
STRIKERS SHOT
DOWN.
The SHERIFF OF LUzsRNE COUNTY AND
HIS DEPUTIES WHEN RESISTED BY THE
MARCHING MINERS At HAzLETON
FIRED ON THE MOB.
Twsnty.Three Dead More Will Die.

The strike situation, as was expect.
ed reached crisis at Hazeton, Fri
day afternoon when a band of deputy
sheriifs numbering in all Io2 fired in
to the lnfuriated mob of strikers The
men fell like sheep. The number of
killed is twenty-five while it is expect
ed few more in the hospital will die.
The following is an account of
what caused the shooting
The strikers left Hazleton at $3.50
o'clock Friday afternoon announcing
their intention to go to Lattimer. As
soon as this became known a band of
deputies was loaded on a trolley car
and went whirling across the noun
tain to the scenes where the bloody
conflict followed. After reaching Latti-
mer they left the car and formed into
three companies, under Thomas Hall,
Z. A. Hess and Samuel B. Pierce.
They drew up in line at the edge Of
the village, with fence and a line Of
houses IN their rear.
Sheriff Martin was in entire COM
mand and stood IN the front of the
line until the strikers appeared. 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,
a low mutteiing arose among the
foreigners and there was q slight
movement forward. Perceiving this,
the sheriff stepped toward them and
in determined tone forbade the
advance.
Some one struck the sheriff and
the next moment there was a com.
mand to the deputies to fire. The
guns of the deputies instantly belched
forth a terrible volley. The reports
seemed to shake the very mountain
and a roar OF dismay went up from
the people.
The strikers were taken entirely by
surprise and as the men toppled and
fell over each other, those who re-
NAMED unhurt stampeded. The mer
went down before the storm of bullet:
like tenp:ns and the groans of the
dying and of the wounded filled tht
air. The excitement that followed
was lndescribable.
The deputies seemed to be terror
stricken at the deadly execution o
their guns and seeing the living strik
ers fleeing like wild and the other
dropping to the earth, they went t
the aid of the unfortunates whom the.
had brought down.
The people Of Lattimer rushed pei
nell to the scene, but the shrieks
the wounded drowned the cries OF tn
sympathizing and halfcrazed inhabl
tants.
A reporter who soon afterwar
reached the scene found the roa
leading to Lattimer filled with group
Of frightened Hungarians. Some su
rounded dying companions and other
fearful of pursuit, clung to the new
conner and begged his protection.
At Farley's hotel there were tw
more lying on the porch. Both ha
been shot in the head, and one ha
three bullets in him. His groans an
appeals for a doctor or death wei
heartrending. All along the road II
wounded men who were able to lea'
the field of battle scattered themselv
and sought the shade of the trees f
protection, but there was no need
that then.
Approaching the place where Il
shooting occurred, people were m
wringing their hands and bemoanll
the catastrophe. They could n
talk intelligently and it was with Il
greatest difficulty that informatl'
could be cleaned.
Along the bank of the trolley 70
men lay in every position, some dea
others dying Three bodies, ia
downward, lay along the incline a
three others were but short distan
away. On the other side OF the 70
as many more bodies lay.
AS soon as the news of the sho
ing reached Hazleton there was CO
sternation. Within ten minutes
streets were blocked with excited p
ple' The Lehigh traction compa
Immediately placed number OF ex
cars on the Lattimer line and doct
and clergymen responded promp
Amid the excitement the depu'
turned their attention to the woun'
and carried many of them to pla
where they could be more comfort
ly treated.
Martin Roski, an intelligent II