The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-02
MARTIN ON THE STAND.
Hero Of the Lattimer Massacre
Gives His Testimony.
STRIKERS KNOCKED HIM DOWN
BEFORE HE FIRED.

Had Feeling There Was Going To Re
Trouble and Went BraveIy Out to Meet
the Strikers Because He Thought One
Was Enough To Be Killed.
Wilkesbarre, Pa. March lit was an
nounced this morning that Sheriff Mar
tin would be placed on the witness stand
this afternoon to tell his story of the
shooting of the strikers at Lattimer on
September TO-
Lewis Maisen, blacksmith at the
Harwood Breaker, testified that there
was no work at the breaker from Sep
tember 8, when the Harwood was driven
out, to September 10. the day of the
shooting.
Alfred Kutz, also blacksmith at Har-
wood corroborated Maisen's testimony.
Thomas A. Harris, paymaster for the
Calvin Pardee company at Lattimer said
that he was sworn in as deputy and
armed with Winchester rifle loaded
with Is ball cartridges. He testified
that on September 7 he together with
William Kulp was guarding the railroad
approach to the breaker at Lattimer.
Wnen the strikers approached Kulp fred
his gun in the air and the strikers broke
and ran, at the same time striker fired
a revolver and shouted, you've got us
today, but we'll come back tomorrow
oovorol +bor,capd c,ropr >,
The witness did not see the shooting
on September 10, being stationed some
distance away from the general line of
deputies. The cross examination was
quite lengthy and brought out the fact
that Mr.. Harris had bought his rifle at
the Pardee companys office.
Asked if the Pardee men were paid
anything extra for that day he said, mot
that know Of"
George Thompson superintendent of
the Lehigh Traction company told how
he had special car to West Hezleton
for the deputies and taken them from
there to Lattimer. At West Hezleton,
he said, the strikers seemed determined
and violent.
The defense for the purpose OF contra
dieting somesof the prosecutions witness
es submitted some OF their evidence de-
livered at the preliminary hearing before
Judges Lynch and Bennett last Septem-
Der. After few other witnesses had
testified, Sheriff Martin was called. AS
he entered tho witness stand there was
q rustic of excitement. He was rather
nervous.
After answering some preliminary
questions he went on to tell his story
and spoke for an hour without Interrupt
ton.
He was in Atlantic City on September
4, and was called home by telegram
needed there. He at once conferred with
the officials of the Lehigh Coal company
and his attorney, Mr.. Ferris.
The company's officers told him their
property had been damaged and their
men interfered with and they should
hold him responsible.
He had proolamations issued, published
along the roads. He swore in a lot of
deputies, and hearing that lot of Nc
Adoo strikers were going to march next
day, ordered his men to turn out at i've
in the morning and come armed.
He told of dispensing the strikers on
Wednesday and Thursday, gathered at1the
Crystal Ridge breaker, the mob Icing an
CRY, desperate lot of men.
Continuing, witness said: FRIDAY az
were marching 6 through Cranberry bound
for Lattimer. l hurried off with the
Hazleton deputies to intercept the men
at West Hazleton. While going there 1
my instructions to the deputies
about keeping cool and avoiding trouble
if possible.
"The mob swore at us when we ap-
preached. cursed me and would not bulge
when I told them to do 30. read my
and walked through them.
asking them to go home. One young
man swore at me violently and said ne
should go to Lattimer in spite OF me- L
him. One man picked up
stone, but dropped it when l pointed my
revolver at him.
.sI told a crowd of spectators to go
home as the strikers were desperate ana
there might be trouble. Finally the
strikers left the road and started OF over
some lots. Soon I heard they were going
to Lattimer and hurried off with my
deputies to intercept them. L told tne1n
again to keep cool and not to shoo6 un-
less lives were in danger. After lining
would go to meet the strikers and Try
once more to disperee them. A deputy
asked me if he should not go with me.
No. said, i will go alone. ltnougnt
one man was enough to die at once. L
felt somehow there was going to pe
trouble. L met the strikers about 30 yards
from the deputies and asked them where
they were going. To stop the Lattimer
breaker, lot of them cried.
81 told them they must not go and
tried TO read my proclamation to them,
but they crowded around me, swearing
at me and hustling me to one side. One
man tried to grab me and then attempt
ed to get hold of him, but the crowd
jumped on me and pounded me about
The body. dropped..m my paper and pulled
my revolver. One of the men tried to
snatch it from me, but failed. Then he
struck5 me ansawful blow in the face and
knocked me to my knees.