The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-05-02
TROOPS ORDERED OUT
Sent to Croton Dam to Subdu'
Italian Strikers.
8L00DSHED AND DEATH RESULT.

Serious Aspect-The Shcrif Appealed
to Governor Roosevelt For Troops
The Cause of the Trouble-First Trial
of Strength Between Opposing Forces.
NEW York CITY (speciaD.-Th strike
among the Italian employees on the new
Croton Dam for an increase OF wages as
sumed such alarming proportions that
nearly six hundred troops over half OF
them calvary, were ordered to tue scene OF
the strike to preserve order and protect
property.
The contested ground in Westchester
County is three miles from the Croton Land
ing station OF the New York Central road.
1t Is to the east OF the road Ia: the Croton
Valley. At this point the dam that is to
check the Croton water and form an I'm
mense reservoir is being built. On each
side OF the narrow stream hills rise to the
height OF more than 200 feet.
The trouble was due to demand OF the
men for greater pay. They had been
working ten hours day for $1.25 day.
and they demanded $1.50 tor eight hours
about 400 Italians and about 200 men OF
other nationalities. The latter were en-.
ployed largely In the more responsible
places and took no part In the strike.
The principal leader and spokesman for
the strikers was Marcello Rotello
The troops ordered to the Croton dam,
almost as great in numbers as hsstrlkers.
were made up thus: -. ..
Squadron A, the crack cavalry sompany
of Manhattan. ~ ss5Ssss Sssla o..
Troop @, similar body, o. Brooklyn.
Two companies OF infantry Of the First
Regiment, one from Yo1ksrs and one from
Mount Vernon. ~ u 80
Sheriff MalIoy came 10 New York City at
the request OF Majors Gsnexaf Roe, COM
mandlng the National Guard and after
series Of conferences, Wit aail thefp parties
interested made a. formal demand upon
General Roe for the esassistance OF the mil
itis. Is, ~,
General Roe had previously communi.
Gated by wire With Governor Roosevelt,
and the latter was qlick in his response,
directing the head OF the National Guard
to grant the demahd 81 the Sheriff if one
was made. ssSs;sesg s 49,
The cavalry force numbered $50 men and
officers. Each man carried a sabre, re-
yolver and esIbine; Qapsain 9. 1. D ebe:-
and Major OliqsEB. Bsl1Jsman command
- The SstsSa Seventh Rselmsii ii this city was
ordered out and sent tothsscene OF action.
The first blood dsover thaestffke was shed
when an unknoylt man sbS and killed
Sergeant Robert DopgsI OF the Eleventh
Separate Company punt Vernon. The
seFSesaf seFSesas ras s ssssas ssntrss wn
was heard. Shot t6Td$6 the abdomen,
Sergeant Douglass fSit9p the, ground e1-
claiming to his little command:
"Boys, I've been shot; load quickly and
flrel'' -
AvolIey ranRsout from the muskets OF
the militia men. ssN0 answering shot came
Douglas was taken back to- sxLe camp and
he died within tan minutes after arriving
there. ~ q & q + 5i:s. i.5 \. =,
Strike leaders decfaredt hax kke rdsnswere
in favor of peacA 4 and W5d58 6ner no
violence. The SHOOTING closeiv folaoWsda
peace declaration 81 SnsSof th Iea
Z For the last ave Nesks. ii te ths
Italians had been gettIng read forsnny
trouble that Il might grow Of a
tion. From Sing Sling syf btained
rifles and pistols, and Sftdm neafbYt towns
honobt thraa ccsss q, 4 ravo vars from
a c1nsrn;tb Il, y Ss1Os Y no ygG;ia he was
known, that thew i,afi TSsnis. It was not
Thought thsy were as WsIl supplied as they
are 9ntii atSe 6rst ateSk on strength was
rnede n,o hst,vsa1 thSsi$ sfba dainty sher.
ifrs -, ~ 800
Tb,a fact: a. 4 /; it.vas decided To
,ond - sa s,fSes &c fosl wns nesdeh
% eeIu "u fhe dam
W opef.o sn9 ,isssss >sSyns Az and
WIZ. Wnicu aao sSSs z. S5 csn
nisne, aau Z, hriSe mn
soms so ac cars ~ coaTiy3nn rssd Tie strikers
sone .h Ears o =. Ioai a, Ttssana tSinfino
That that the the Contra eostrsotors @ were asont to Try to
sSsm staro up tbsr wn sassrmes ons o. Eouses Son on
the hili and dowa tue hillsids Dward the
stones ehotcnna and revoIvars B e
Eneinesr iseoby had III, sso0n6 eot his I
engine out than ii was ssisf ndsd TksY