The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-29
PITCHED BATTLE
IN THE STREETS
Striking Miners Fight
Negroes.
PENA, ILL.,, IS TIE SCENE
SEVERAL HUNDRED SHOTS ARE
EXCHANGED.
Business Suspended in the Town and
an Appeal Made to Governor
Tanner to Send
Troops.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

PANA. Ill. Sept 2S.-Striking union
coal miners and imported negroes en-
gagged in a pitched battle in the main
street of this town tonight. Several
hundred shots were exchanged, no one
was wounded in the ranks Of the union
men The negroes were driven from
the city to their stockades, carrying
with them, it is believed, number of
wounded comrades. One of the negroes
is reported to have died soon after
reaching the stockades.
Desultory firing continues at mid
night in the vicinity of the stockades.
The trouble was precipitated at $3.50
o'clock this evening AS usual, the
negroes from the stockades at the
.Springside and Penwell mines were
making demonstrations on Second and
Locust streets, the principal business
streets of the city, by parading heavily
armed. The union miners were in ses-
sion at their hail. where Chicago
labor leader was speaking.
One of the negroes appeared at the
foot of the miners hall and engaged in
a quarrel with union white miner.
officer Samuel Smith Immediately ar
rested the black man and was escorting
him to jail, when he was closed in on
by posse of negroes, who. pointing
their revolvers at Smith, threatened to
kill him if he did not release his pris-
oner. Smith continued on his way to
the jail with his prisoner. Union min
ers and others meanwhile went to
Smiths assistance and the negroes
Wee driven back. Smith took his
prisoner to Operator George v. Pen
wells residence, and upon PenWells
standing for the Negroes fine he was
released.
Before Smith had released his pris-
oner, however, the negro posse had
been reinforced and assumed a threat
ening attitude toward the white men.
David MeGavic, leader of the union
miners, dubbed one of the blacks on
the head Nth a revolver, it is said. For
half a block McGavic forced the ne
groes to retreat, and then a few shots
were fired The negroes retreated
double quick to their Stockades. Sc
cured rifles, returned to Locust street
and challenged the miners to a fight.
The opposing forces lined up on the
street, the negroes with WincheSters
and the miners with shotguns, rifles
and revolvers. Neighboring business
houses were Immediately closed, lights
extfnguished and citizens generally
sought their homes. AT the word of
command firing commenced. The first
volley. it is said. came from the ne
a volley, and the heavy firing continued
for five minutes. Much of the shooting
was wild and entirely harmless to the
white men, who finally drove the
enemy in full retreat to the stockades.
second encounter between whites
and blacks occurred at the mines after
the first battle near Penwell stockade,
but the firing was scattered, and 1t is
not believed to have been a serious
engagement. The miners had full
charge of the business streets at mid
night. Desultory rifle reports could be
heard from the Penwell and Springside
stockades, but no person would VEN
ture into the streets near the mines,
and very few are lettering about the
business or residence sections.
The union miners say the battle to-
night is only foretaste of what may
be expected to follow.
Governor Tanner will be asked to
send the militia to protect property in
this city and remove the negroes.