The age-herald., 1898-09-29
NEGROES WERE AGGRESSORS
Challenged the White Men for a Fight
 and Were Routed.
MILITIA WILL BE ORDERED OUT
Governor Tanner Will Be Called on to Protect Property and Remove the Colored Operators From the
 Scene of the Trouble.

Pana, Ill.,, September 2S.-Strkilg union coal miners and imported negroes engas d in a pitched hattle in the main street of this city tonight Several hundred sho S were exchanged.
 No one was wounded in the ranks of tho 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 report d to have died soon after reaching the s.ocl1- ade. Desultory firing continues at mid night in the vicinity of tie stoeKades.
 The negroes from tine ockades at the Springside and Penwell mines were mak- ing demonstrations on the principal streets of the city by parading heavily armed. Ihe union men were in session at their hall One of the negroes appeared at the hal and engaged in a quarrel with a unlon white man. Officer Sam Smith immediate ly arrested the back man and was es- corting him to jail when he closed in on by a posse of negroes with drawn re- volvers. Union miners and others went to Smiths assistance and the negroes were driven back. Smith took his prisoner to Operator George V. PenwelPs store, and upon Penwel's standing for the negros fine, he was released.
 Negroes Retreated
 Before Smith had released his prisoner. however, the negro posse had been rein forced, and assumed a threatening attitude toward the white men. David McGavlc, leader of the union miners, clubbed one of the blacks over the head with revolver. it is said. For half block McGavic forced the negroes to retreat. and then few shots were fired. The negroes retreated double quick to their stockades secured rifles, re- turned to Locust street and challenged the miners for fight. The opposing forces lined up on the street. the negroes with Winchesters and the miners with shotgunsi rifles and revolvers. Neighboring business houses were immediately closed, lights ex- tinguished and citizens generally sought theip homes. At the word of command firing commenced. The first volley, it is said, came, from the negroes. The union men responded with a volley, and heavy firing continued for five minutes. Much Of the shooting was wild and entirely harm less to the white men, who finally drove their enemies in full retreat to the stock ades The negroes are thought to have car ried several men with them, and one is re- ported dead.
 A second encounter between the whites and blacks occurred twenty minutes after the first battle near the. Penwell stockade, but the firing was scattered and it is not believed to have been a serious engage ment. The miners had full charge of the business streets at midnight. Desultory rife reports could be heard from the Pen well and Springside stockades but no per- son would venture into the street near the mines, and very few are lettering about the business or residence sections. The union miners say the battle tonight is only a forecast of what may be expected to fol- low. 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 the. military to protect property in this city and remove the negroes.