Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-03

= - O-AD W 1OiCo- Say > GllC1 = ~ ~
Shot Was Fired by Striker, Who
Had Gotten Behind the Line Of
Deputies-An Agree That Sheriff
Martin Was Assaulted by the
Strikers - Another Version of
Why the Flag Was Taken From
the Leader.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, March 2.-When
court opened this morning for the con-
tinuation of the trial Of Sheriff Martin
and his deputies for the shooting of
the strikers at Lattimer. Sheriff Mar
tins cross-eXamination was resumed
by counsel for the prosecution. The
main point established was that the
witness denied making the remark al
ter the shooting that he had merely
taken a hand in the matter as plain
James Martin and not as the sheriff
OF Luzerne county"
The defense endeavored to have the
sheriff testify that he was unable to
suppress the riot and disorder that eX
listed in the Hazelton region and that
the civil authorities were unable to
cope with it and had telegraphed to
the Governor for aid, and that conse-
quently the Governor ordered out the
State militia on the night of Septem-
Der TO- The commonwealth objected
to this line of testimony and Judge
Woodward sustained the objection.
Samuel Price, a contractor and COM
mission merchant of HaZelton, testi-
fed that he was Sheriff Martins chief
deputy at the time OF the shooting.
He told about the sheriff giving all the
deputies explicit orders to keep cool,
protect property and maintain the
peace. He also told them they were
not to shoot unless for self-protec-
ton.
THE WITNESS CORROBORATED
Sheriff Martins testimony from the
time The deputies went ON duty at
o'clock September Z, until they formed
in line at Lattimer He heard several
Hungarians jeer the sheriff and re-
mark You shoots me, kills me, me
no citizen, my wife and children get
plenty money"
The witness also discovered by go
ing among the strikers and feeling
about their clothing that they were
armed with reyolvers and stones.
The sheriff declined to have any of
the deputies accompany him when he
walked down the road at Lattimer to
meet the mob and ndeagAs to halt
The strikers. The witness then gave
a straightforward account of the
scene of the shooting. He said he was
standing in an alley to the left Of the
line of deputies and saw the sheriff
halt the strikers. Then in a moment
the strikers surged around the sheriff
and began to jostle and shove him to
the side Of the road when the witness
lost sight Of the sheriff by the balance
of the strikers surging past him and
rushing madly upon the deputies.
Just at this moment pistol shot rang
out back of the witness and he heard
the bullet whistle past He turned
around to see where it came from,
when he saw a striker back of the
deputies
POINTING A PISTOL AT HIM.
The witness threw himself on the
ground and he heard the shot whistle
over his head. He heard the strikers
veil and the next instant he heard the
volley fired from about the center OF
the line of deputies. The volley
sounded like the roll of drum and
was all over in less than half min
ute. There was no shooting after the
yolley BY the time the witness could
let on his feet all was over and the
strikers were rushing away.
The mob formed in line again about
six hundred yards away in the woods
and the witness thought they were go
tho
deputies, but the mob then disappeared.
Mi. Price further testified on cross ex-
animation that he did not know who gave
thu deputies the order to fire, He also
said that he, himself. did not fire a shot
and that he did not hide in the alley to es-
cape being shot by his own men.
Arco Pardee Platt, Of Hazleton, man
ager of The Pardee department store,
proved THU best witness the defense has
W far HAIL as he gave a clear and de-
tailed description Of the whole affair. He
was one OF the deputies and told how the
property owners in Hazleton and vicinity
appointed special watchmen to guard
their property at night from being dam
aged by the riotous mob Of strikers. and
how they purchased one hundred Spring
field rifles nd breech-loading shot guns
THESE WERE THE ARMS
that were afterwards given to the depu-
ties. He also told how chartered police
association had been organized in 1870. and
had guarded company property ever slice
in that region Mr.. Plat told how strik-
ar carrying a flag nailed to stick had
struck him with it, and how the witness
broke tile stick and took the flag when
the striker tried to run the stick in his
face.
The witness saw the sheriff halt the
strikers at Lattimer on September 10 and
advise them to dispense. The sheriff was
knocked down upon his knees and pum-
meIled by the strikers. some of whom
hourished revolvers and knives and tried
To Kill him The witness left the deputies,
rushed to the sherlfs rescue and tried to
stop the strikers, but his gun would not
work. The balance Of the strikers rushed
toward the deputies. While the witness
tried 10 rescue the sheriff. he heard shot
and then came the volley. There was no
shooting after the yolley and the strik-
ers scattered. The strikers were shot
while Ill company property TIE witness
dia Hut shoot ana does not know who
gave the order to fire
HE AIDED THE INJURED
and dead after the shooting.
A. NJ Hess. civil engineer, of HALE
ton. VINO commanded COMPANY A Of the
deputies. corroborated Mr.. Plat about
the attack on the sheriff and now Mr.
Plat flew II his rescue. He heard one