, 1897-09-11
'SH0T down LIKE SHEEP.
A HASTY SHERIFF CREATES SAD
HAVOC AMONG STRIKING
MINERS.
Orders His Deputies to Fire and the Re-
suit Was Something Terrihle-The
Road Strewn With Dead and
WCunded-The Militia Has Been
Ordered Out-Reaching Settlement.

situation reached a terrible crisis on the
outskirts OF Latimer this afternoon.
when a band of deputy sheriffs fired in
to a mob Of miners. The men fell like
so many sheep and the excitement has
Eeen SO intense that no accurate figures
OF the dead and wounded can be obtain
ed. The reports run from Is to 20 killed
and 40 wounded. One man, who reach
ed the scene tonight, counted Is corpses.
Four other bodies lie in the mountains,
between Latimer and Harleigh. Those
who were not injured carried their dead
and injured friends into the woods and
the estimate is baff1ed. Three bodies
were found tonight on the road near
Latimer.
The strikers left Hazelton about $3.50
o'clock this afternoon and it was their
intention to go to Latimer. AS soon
as this became known a band OF deputies
were loaded on a trolly 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. I'm
der Sheriff Martin was in entire COM
mand and when the strikers approached
went cut to meet them. The men list
ened in silence until he once more read
the riot act. This finished low mutter-
ing arose among the foreigners and
there was a slight movement forward.
Percelving this the sheriff stepped to-
ward them and in a determined voice.
forbade advance.
Some one struck the sheriff and the
next moment there was q command to
the deputies to fire. The guns instantly
be!ched forth a terrible volly and a cry
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 remained unhurt,
stampeded. The men went down before
the storm OF bullets like ten pins and the
groans OF the dying and wounded filled
the air.
The excitement that followed Is simply
indescribable. The deputies seemed ter
ror stricken at the deadly execution Of
their guns and. seeing the liv-
ing strikers fleeing like wiEf1ire, and
others dropping to the earth, they went
to the aid OF the unfortunates whom they
had brought down. The people Of Lati-
mer rushed pell-mell to the scene but
the shrieks Of the wounded drowned the
cries Of the s%ympathizlng and h%alf-craz-
ed Inhabitants.
A reporter, who oon afterwards
reached the scene. found the road lead
ing to Latimer filled with groups OF
frightened Hungarians. Some surround
ed dying companions, and others, fearful
OF pursuit, chung to the newcomer and
begged his protection. At Farley's hotel
there were two men lying on the porch.
Both had been shot in the head.
One had three bullets in him. All
along the road the wounded men who
were able to leave the field OF battle.
scattered themselves and sought the
shade Of trees for protection. Along the
bank Of the trolly road. men laid in ev-
cry position, some dead. others dying.
three bodies, face downward, lay along
the incline, and others were but a short
distance away. On the other side Of the
road as many o lay.
The school house was transformed in
to a temporary hospital and some Of the
wounded taken there. The colliery am
bulance was summoned to the place as
soon as possible and upon Its arrival two
men, both shot through the leg, were
loaded into the wagon. All along the
hillside wounded men were found on the
roadside and in the fields. Many miners
who had been carried a distance could
not be found.
As soon as the news OF the shooting
reached Hazelton. there was c%onsterna-
tion. Within 10 minutes the streets were
blocked with excited people. The Le-
high Traction company Immediately
placed a number OF extra cars on the
Latimer line and doctors and clergymen
responded promptly. The rush of peo-
pie to Latimer was so great that the pro-
gress Of vehicles was impaired. Dep,l-
ties turned their attention to the wound
ed and carried many Of them 10 places
where they could be more comfortable.
TROOPS CALLED OUT.
Harrisburg. Pa. Sept. 10.-Governor
Hasttoxa tonight ordered ns,t the Third