The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-02
SHERIFF MARTINS TALE
STORY OF LATTInIER SHOOTING
TOLD BY CHIEF DEFENDANT.
Says He Had Been Knocked to His
Knees by a Striker Before His
Deputies Pegan TO Fire.

WILKESBARRE. Pa. March 1.-sheriff
Martin was placed on the witness stand
this afternoon by the defense to tell his
story of the shooting of the strikers at
Lattimer on Sept. 10. At the morning ses-
sion Thomas A. Harris, paymaster for the
Calvin Pardee Company, at Lattimer testi-
fed that he was sworn in as deputy and
armed with a Winchester rifle, loaded with
fifteen ball cartridges. On Sept. he, to-
gether with William Kulp, was guarding
the railroad approach to the breaker at
Iattimer. When the strikers approached
Kup fired his gun in the air, and the
strikers broke and ran. At the same time
a striker fired a revolver and shouted
You've got us to-day, but we'll come back
tomorrow several thousand strong.''
When Sheriff Martin was called there
was rustic of excitement. He was rather
nervous, coughed frequently, and could not
keep his hands still. He was asked the
usual questions about his position, and said
he was elected in 1895 and took office the
first Monday in January 1896. His commits
sion and proclamation were read and placed
In evidence. He then went ca to tell his
story, and spoke for an hour without in
terruption. He told of the trouble with the
strikers. and how, on Thursday, he went
to Cranberry and dispersed some of them
who We're trying to prevent men from 60
ing to work. He described his movements
Friday, when the shooting occurred Wit
ness said: THE mob sWore at us when we
approached, cursed me and would not bulge
when 1 told them 10 do so. 1 read my
proclamation and walked through them,
asking them to go home. One young man
swore at me violently and said they would
I IrNAs
him. One man picked UP a stone, but
dropped it when 1 pointed my revolver at
him. l told crowd of spectators to go
home, as the strikers were desperate and
there might be trouble. Finally the strikers
left the road and started off over some lots.
Soon heard they were going to Lattimer.
and hurried with my deputies to inter
cept them. l told them again to keep cool
and not to shoot unless their lives or mine
We're In danger. After lining them up
alongside the road 1 told them I would go
10 meet the strikers and try once more to
0lsperse them. deputy asked if Re should
not go with me. No., said, I'll go alone
1 thought one man was enough to die at
once l felt somehow there was going to
De trouble. l met the strikers about fifty
yards from the deputies, and asked them
where they were going.
To stop the Lattimer breaker lot of
them cried.
told them they must not go, and tried
10 read my proclamation to them, but they
crowded around me, swearing at me and
hustIng me to one side. One man tried to
GRAB me, and [ then attempted to get hold
OF him. but the crowd jumped on me and
pounded me about the body. L dropped my
paper and pulled my revolver. One of the
men Tried TO snd. the revolver from me,
out failed. Then he struck me an awful
oIow IN the face ana knocked me to my
AHees' l tried to shoot him. but my revol-
'er would not explode. Then the shooting
commenced. 1t lasted about a half min
ute. In the crowd 1 saw three men armed
win revolvers and one with a knife. The
idtter made stab at me, but missed. Two
men were shot just behind me, to the left.
was In the direct line of fire.
Cross-examination of the witness took
TWO hours, and win be resumed