New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-17
RAID ON MINES CHECKED
MARCHING STRIKERS INTERCEPTED BY
TROOPS
AN EXCITING DAY IN THE PANTHER CREEK
VALLEY. But NO BLooDsHED.
GBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


Tamaoua Penn. Oct 16.-The Panther Creek
valley to which attention has so often been
called IN The Tribune's dispatches from the
schuylkfu region. the scene to-day Of
of the most exciting incidents OF the present
trouble in the anthracite coal region. This VAL
ley extends from the Borough OF Tamaqua, In
schuylkin County, for a number OF miles and
into Carbon County. Here the Lehigh Coal
Compeny's ten collieries are located. Seven
thousand men work in them, and they have held
out 10 the last against the United Mine Work
ers. Some of the collieries worked short hand
ed at times but a majority of the miners were
satisfied. The company promised them 10 per
cent increase in wages, reduction OF powder TO
81 so key, and any other concessions the
strikers might secure. Panther Creek the
only portion Of the entire region which could
not be enectually tied up, and it became the
battle-ground to-day.
About 2:30 o'clock this morning people living
IN the northeastern part of Tamaqua were
awakened by loud yells Strikers from McAdoo
F9azleton Mahanoy City and other places had
invaded Tamaqua. The procession was headed
by Mother Jones and about twenty-five other
women. The strikers assembled at McAdoo last
evening about II o'clock. Their forces We're d.
y-ided into two sections. One crossed the noun
tain in the direction Of Tamaqua, intending 10
invade the Panther Creek Valley from the west
The other division took roundabout way, in
tending 10 enter the valley al the eastern end.
A. Nesquehonng. or ColIiery No. 3, the parad-
ers met the miners this morning going TO work
and attacked them. A lively fight followed, in
which two non-union men are reported to have
been badly hurt. This colliery is now tied up
Stones and clubs We're freely used.
When II was announced that raid was to
be made on the Panther Creek Valley, General
info n o+o nd
troops At midnight eight companies were put
on board cars and started for Tamaqua, srriv-
ing here at 2 g. m General Goblin advised
OF the action Of the strikers and in order to in
tercept them the train was run through 10
place called Seek or No 10 colliery, about four
miles from this place. Here six Of the com
panies left the train The other two proceeded
20 Nesquehoning Colonel ONeill, Of the 4th
Regiment, had charge Of the six companies, and
General Goblin remained with the other two. AS
soon as the troops alighted at CoIliery No. 10,
they started in the direction Of Tamaqua, but
had not gone more than mile when at a, m.
they met the head Of the procession of march
ing strikers from Tamaqua. It was as dark
as pitch and foggy. Colonel O'Neiu in a loud
voice commanded the strikers TO halt, and they
did So He then said: I want you people to
dispense without hesitation, and return TO your
homes or whence you came"
We are on our way Summit HILL" replied
Mother Jones.
You can't go there now" said Colonel O'NelL
Wait till daylight"
we can't turn the horses" said Mother
Jones
You can't? Well, I'll turn them for you I"
was the Colonel's reply. as he gave the com
mand TO the soldiers 10 fix bayonets and load;
adding, And when give the command 10 fire.
7 want you 70 do it."
This caused stampede among the strikers,
and they fed in ali directions toward Tamaqua,
followed by the troops.
Dunkelberger's colIiery, at this place. shut
down to-day About five hundred men en-
ployed BY the Lehigh and susquehanna Coal
Company live here and they all remained at
home on learning what had taken place in the
night All the collieries owned by this company
in the Panther Creek Valley are badly crippled.
General Goblin expects TO bring the remainder
II the 4th Regiment, and also the Governors
Troop, stationed near McAdoo, 10 TamaQua at
once. A number OF the strikers were arrested
by Sheriff Toole and his deputies. Four OF them
we're released and the others held The 4th
Regiment is encamped at Manila Park, two and
q half miles from Tamaqua. When General
Goblin started TO head off the other division Of
n1archers they eluded him and went to Coaldale.
Striking miners are coming IN by the hundreds
from the neighborhood Of Hazleton, and Tama-
qua IS filed with strangers It is thought that
they viii keep on coming in during the night,
and viii close every coliery IN the Panther
Creek Valley tomorrow.