The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-12
CARNAGE.
One Hundred Men Killed and
Wounded
At the Virden, Illinois, Coal
Mines Today.
A TRAIN OF NEGROES
Arrives From the South to
Take Miners Places.
Train Guards and Miners Ex-
4 TRAIN OF NEGROES
Train Guards and Miners EX-
change 500 Shots.

Virden, Ill, Oct. 12.-The arrival of the
imported negroes from the south at
1890 today was followed by a desper-
ate battle.
Five hundred shots were exchanged
between the strikers on one side and
Sheriff Davenport and Ais deputies and
railroad police on the other side. 1t is
thought that at least twenty men on
both sides were killed and wounded.
The best information is that ten were
killed, five fatally wounded and five Sc
riously wounded. A Chicago & Alton
special policeman is among the killed.
When the Chicago & Alton train bear
ing the negroes arrived it was met by
fully 500 armed miners, who were lined
up on each side of the track, between
the telegraph Office and the mine of the
Chicago-Virden Coal company.
The train was stopped Immediately
in front of the east gates of the stock
ade and the trouble began. Dozens of
shots were fired from the stockade at
the white men. while the strikers were
half a mile away and the Chicago &
Alton policeman was undoubtedly kill
ed by a shot from the tower
The widest rumors are afoat, one
being that as many as fifty miners have
been killed.
The town is in the greatest excite
ment- Men are securing whatever arms
they can get hold of. expecting to use
them for their own protection if the
trouble spreads. Women and children
are neefng to their homes and barri-
cading. themselves behind their doors
Some of the wives of the dead miners,
however, decline to go to their homes,
and are almost mad with grief and
anger.
It is said the miners were fired on
from the stockades after the train had
gone through.
Mayor Nall has sent messengers to
Girard for doctors and nurses. They are
expected to reach here soon.
Shortly before 1:3O Manager Lukens
tried to make his escape from the shaft.
The attempt was a signal for another
fusilIade from a body of men said to be
miners. The manager and a small force
of detectives ran into the alley behind
the postoffice. The attacking party,
however, continued to fire away. It is
not known yet whether any of the
shots took effect.
The city marshal has telegraphed the
chief of police at Springfield, Ill, to
send a special train with doctors.
Sheriff Davenport has sent a telegram
to Gov. Tanner asking that troops be
sent Immediately. The sheriff thinks
possibly 100 men have been killed and
wounded, but others deem estimate too
large.
There is the greatest indignation felt
against Mine Operator Lukens, who is
held responsible for the tragedy.
Train Riddled With Bullets.
Springfield, Ill, Oct. PA train rid
died with bullets has just pulled into
the Chicago & Alton depot here this af-
ternoon from Virden, III. One deputy is
dead. He was riding on the front car
with a Winchester and the miners fired
on him. He discharged his Winchester
and was shot almost to pieces Engi-
neer Bert Kyger of Bloomington, who
was drawing the train was shot in the
arm. He gave way to Engineer Ander-
son at Auburn, about II miles north of
Virden, who brought in the train at
mile a minute, the engine full of bullet
holes. There were about 1000 armed
miners in Virden. The train was loaded
with negroes who say they came here
under false representations by opera
tors.
Fift Miners Killed.
Chicago. Oct. 12.-The officials Of the
Chicago & Alton road at 2:45 this after
noon made the following statement to
the Associated Press:
I'VE have just received a report to
the effect that fifty miners and six Of
ficers were killed in a riot at virden,
Ill. D. H. Kiley, one of the watchmen
sent from here yesterday to guard the
switches of our road was one Of the
killed. These switchmen were sent
down to virden for the express purpos,
of operating the switches and were in
structed to go unarmed. They were also
instructed to inform the striking miner
that they (the switchmen) were not