The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-29
FOUGHT With RIFLES
DESPERATE BATTLE BETWEEN
UNION MINERS AND NEGROES
AT PANA
BATTLED IN THE STREETS

Trouble Had Been Brewing and the
Outbreak Came when "a White
Officer Arrested n QuarreIsOme
Negro-Negroes Were Driven to
Their StOckades After Several
Had Been Wounded-One Dead.
PANA, H., Sept. 2S.-Striking union
coal miners and imported negroes en-
gagged in a pitched battle in the main
street of this city tonight. Several
hundred shots were exchanged. No one
was wounded in the ranks OF the
union men. The negroes were driven
from the city to their stockade, carry
Ing with them, it is believed a num-
Der of wounded comrades. One of the
negroes is reported to have died soon
after reaching the stockade. Desultory
firing continues at midnight in the
vicinity Of the stockades.
The trouble, which has been narrow
ly averted between the striking coal
miners Of this city and negroes i'm
ported from the South to work the
mines, was precipitated at $50 o'clock
this evening. AS usual, the negroes
from the stOckade at the Springside
and PenWel mines were making dem
onstrations on Second and Locust
streets, the principal business streets
Of the city, by parading heavily arm
ed. The union miners were in session
at their hall when a Chicago labor
leader was speaking. One of the ne
groeS appeared at the foot of the min
ers' hall and engaged in a quarrel with
union. white miner. Officer Samuel
Smith Immediately arrested the black
and was escorting him to Jail, when
he was closed in on by a posse of ne
groes, who, pointing their revoIvers at
Smith, threatened to kill him If he
did not release the prisoner Smith
continued on his way to jail with his
prisoner. Union miners and others
meanwhile went to Smiths assistance.
and the negroes were driven back
Smith took his prisoner to Operator
F George V. Penwells store, and upon
PenWelPS standing for the negro's fine
he was released. Before Smith had
released his prisoner, however, the ne
gro posse had been reinforced and as
stunned threatening attitude toward
the white men. David McGavic, lead
er of the union miners, dubbed one
or the blacks over the head with a
revolver, it is said. For half a block
McGaY1c forced the negroes to retreat.
and then a few shots were fired The
negroes retreated double quick to their
stockades, secured rifles, returned to
Locust street and challenged the min
erS to a fight.
'o SHOOTING TO KILL.
The opposing forces lined up on the
street, the negroes with Winchesters.
and the miners with shotguns. rifles
and reVOlvers. Neighboring business
houses were Immediately closed, lights
eXtinguished and citizens generally
sought their homes At the word of
command firing commenced. The first
Volley, it is said, came from the ne
grCes. The union men responded with
a V0lley, and heavy firing continued
for five minutes. Much of the shooting
was wild and entirely harmless to the
white men, who finally drove their
enemies in full retreat to the stock
aces. The negroes are thought to
have carried several men with them,
and one is reported dead
A second encounter between whites
and blacks occurred twenty minutes
after the first battle near the PenweII
stockade, but the firing was scattered
and 1t is not believed to have been a
serious engagement. The miners had
full charge Of the business streets at
midnight. Desultory rifle repOrts
could be heard from the PenweI and
Sprlngside stockades, but no person
would venture into the streets near
the mines, and very few are lettering
tiOnS.
Inc union miners say the battle of
tonight IS only a foretaste OF what
may be expected to follow. They blame
Operator Penwell for the trouble and
say they will tomorrow swear out
warrants charging him with melting
tonights riot
militia to protect property interests and
TO remove the negroes