The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-14
ON A VOLCANOES EDGE
The Situation Quivers in the
Hazleton Region.
FUNERALS OF MINERS
TROOPS SENT TO A NEW OUT
RRNAK AT ECKLEY MINES.

BREAK AT ECKLEY MINES.
ALLEGED THAT MINERS USED FORCE
The Feeling Feverish and Tumultuous With
Forty Thousand to Witness the Funerals
Gen. Gobin's Troops Pefect--Protec-
ion For Superintendents' Houses.
Hasleton. Pa, Sept 13.-Hazleton
ouyers tonight on the edge OF vol
cano. Uncertainty is the key note OF
the situation and the town is sleepless-
" awaiting the dawn Of "a day fraught
win UNKNOWN and fearful possibilities.
At th6s writing the troops are marcl
ing ON the mines of Coke Bros, at RICK
hy. which nestles in a valley about 1S
miles from here. kilograms to brigade
headuuarters late this afternoon indacat-
ed an alarming condition there. Inc
remoteness of the situation will make
difficult the securing OF definite news
from the scene before the morning.
The first knowledge Of disturbance at
the Coke Collieries reached Brigade
headquarters this morning, when Cen
Goblin received dispatch tnat 2oo MN
ers ait Buck Mountain, three miles from
Eckley. had gone on strike ana begun
to march on the Eckley mine. Request
was made for q detachment of the mill
tary ito avert possible conflict, but before
thss soldiers could be started of TO the
Scene. the authorities were reassured
Nv the receipt of a second telegram to
+he effect that the march had been
stonrssd and no further trouble WAS fear
ed.
Late this afternoon a third despatch
changed the situation for the worse.
It, said that the march had been re-
snmed and carried to the Eckley mines;
and that the men there had been forced
to quit work, after rough handling by
the marching men.
The city troop OF Philadelphia, the
crack cavalrymen, were instantly ORDER
ed to proceed to Eckley. To reach the
spot they will have to ride over 1S miles
of rough mountain roads. The news
has created CONSERVATION throughout the
district and all the collieries are prepar-
ing for trouble.
Gen. GOb:n has been deluged with re-
quests for troops but declares that ne
will send none to any point unless an
outbreak really occurs. This IS "a meas
1rre of precaution to keep the soldiers
mobilized.
The nine superintendents are much
worried. They accept the lesson offered
bv the havoc wrought at Conner Jones's
home the other night, and two have
asked the brigade commander to place
guards around their houses, which will
he done. The names of the superinten-
dent are kept secret.
There is sensational story afioat con-
cerning a conversation overheard on the
streets of Hazleton to-day, but it should
he accepted with a reservation. The
story goes that a group of miners were
standing ON a corner when one was
heard to remark: ''I've got the material
hut don't know how ito mix the ID
stuff II ! did, I'd blow them up to-
night"
It is said that the guards were placed
about the superintendemt's houses as a
result of this.
To-day had been regarded as the turn
ing point Of the situation because Of the
prohibition issued by General Goblin,
against the proposed funeral demonstra-
tiom. A compromise was effected this
morning, however, and the day passed of
without disturbance. In the meantime
the Coke Collieries were being watched
with intense anxiety. 1T was known
that the 1900 men employed at No. Z
had made a demand for a ten per cen
increase which was to be submitted tt
the operators to-day, with the alterna
five Of 'strike." From five to seven thou
sand men are employed at all the col
lieries and it was understood that suci
movement would bring them all out.
Whether or not the proposition wa
formally submitted today could not b'
learned, because nobody would talk. IN
men were all at work, but strike tall
was rife and a big meeting at Stockto,
had been scheduled for tonight. Tier.
was a general impression that nothing
decisive would be resolved upon at leas
by tomorrow, which is pay day with two
weeks pay coming to the men. The Coke
mems grievance is that they are on {
lower scale than that paid by any othe
company in the region, but the compan!
store feature does not enter into theil
case
Another late afternoon report was tina
the employees Of ex-Congressman Leisen
rings upper Lehigh colliery will go on
tomorrow on sympathetic strike. AS al
increase Of 10 per cent was granted OF
Saturday to the McAdoo men, they have
expressed their intention to return tt
work tomorrow, although they do not ex
pect to remain in more than day un
der the pressure that will be brought tt
bear by the other strikers. Altogether ar
eyentful day is in prospect.
General Goblin said this afternoon tha
the Withdrawal of the troops had no
been considered for moment. They viii
remain on the ground until the sheriff j,
convinced that he will be fully able t.
cope with any emergency that may arise
The rumors that martial law had beer
declared. the general said, had beer
spread BY some vicious person.
There 10 martial law only 90 far a. d