The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-29
Several Hundred Shots Exchanged at
Pana, III, and Further
RiOting Expected.
ONE NEGRO REPORTED KILLED
AND OTHERS SAID TO HAVE BEEN
CARRIED AWAY WOUNDED.
Both Sides Lined Up and Armed with
Rifles. ShOtguns and Reviewers
How the Riot Started.

PANA, ILL.,, Sept 2S.-Striking union coal
miners and imported negroes engaged in
hight in the main street of this city to-
night Several hundred shots were ex-
changed No one was wounded in the ranks
or the union men. The negroes were driven
from the city to their stockades, carrying
with them, it is believed, a number of
wounded comrades. One of the negroes is
reported to have died soon after reaching
the stockade. Desultory firing continues, at
midnight, in the vicinity of the stockades
The trouble between the striking coal
miners of this city and negroes imported
from the South to work the mines was pre-
ciptated 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 Lo-
Gust streets, the principal business streets
of the city, by parading heavily armed. The
union miners were in session at their hail.
where Chicago labor leader was speak
ing. One of the negroes appeared at the
foot of the miners hall and engaged in a
quarrel with a union white miner Officer
Samuel Smith Immediately arrested the
black man and was escorting him to Jail,
when he was closed in on by a posse of
negroes, who, pointing their revolvers at
Smith, threatened to kill him if he did not
release the prisoner. Smith continued on
his way to Jail with his prisoner. Union
miners and others, meanwhile, went to
Smiths assistance and the negroes were
driven back. Smith took his prisoner to
Operator George V. Penwell's store and
upon Penwells standing for the negro's fine
he was released.
Before Smith had released his prisoner
however, the negro posse had been rein
forced and assumed a threatening attitude
toward the white men. David McGavic
leader of the union miners, dubbed one of
the blacks over the head with a revolver,
it is said. For half block McGavic forced
the negroes to retreat, and then a few shots
were tired. The negroes retreated double
quick to their stockades, secured rifles, re-
turned to Locust street and challenged the
miners for a fight. The opposing forces
lined up on the street, the negroes with VIM
chesters and the miners with shotguns
rifles and revolvers. Neighboring business
houses were Immediately closed, lights ex-
tinguished and citizens generally sought
their homes. At the word of command firing
commenced. The first volley it is said, came
from the negroes. The union men re-
sponded with volley, and heavy firing con-
tinued for five minutes. Much of the shoot
ing was wild and entirely harmless to the
white men, who finally drove their enemies
in full retreat to the stockades. The negroes
are thought to have carried several men
with them, and one is reported dead.
A second encounter between whites and
blacks occurred twenty minutes after the
first fight near the Penwell stcckade but
the firing was scattered and it is not be-
lieved to have been a serious engagement
The miners had full charge of the business
streets at midnight. Desultory rifle reports
could be heard from the Penwell and
Springside stockades, but no person would
venture into the streets nelr the mines, and
very few are lettering about the business
or residence sections. The union miners
say the fight of tonight is only a foretaste
of what may be expected to follow. They
blame Operator Penwell for the trouble
and say they will tomorrow swear out
warrants charging him with melting to-
nights riot Governor Tanner will be asked
to send militia to protect property in this
city and to remove the negroes