Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-04-28
KILLED IN LABOR RIOT.
Chicago Strikers Attack Party Of
Non-Union Workers.
ONE OF THE GANG SHOT DEAD.
Non-Unionist Who Was Armed Fired
Three shots, and Each shot TooiS
Efrect-roiice Chief Ripley vigor-
ousIy Denounces the Unionists.


Emect-roiice Chief l<ipiey vigor-
ousIy Denonnces the Unionists.
Chicago, April 26.--In labor riot
which occurred at REGIME and Yelling
ton avenues last night one man was
instantly killed, another severely
wounded and six others sustained
slight injuries Peter Miller was shot
through the head by III. G. Baster and
instantly killed. John Mcclure was
shot in the right arm and right cheek
by Baster He will recover. The
others injured are: Edward Yarran-
ton. cut on head with brass knuckles;
Benjamin Bernard, cut on head with
brass knuckles; William Pottgetter,
bruised about head and body; Louis
Jeckiske, cut about face and head;
james Gibbons, bruised by being struck
with a club.
There were no other participants la
the riot save those that were injured.
and all were arrested by the police
with the exception of James Gibbons,
who made his escape. Baster is a
superintendent employed by the Baker
Vawter Printing company, at 1l02 to
110S Mariana street, a short distance
from where the trouble occurred
Baster's aim was true In each case,
as but three shots were fired.
The killing was the outcome of three
months trouble with striking Iaborers.
The firm employs non-union labor and
three months ago several pressmen
and feeders were discharged because
they joined the union. The assaulting
party consisted of Miller and four
others. With the exception of Miller
all are former employees Of the firm.
Those who were assaulted we're Bas-
ter. Benjamin Bernard and Edward
Yarranton They were on their way
to their homes from work when the as
sault took place. Two of the assailing
party were armed with brass knuckIes
and the others carried clubs. Yarran-
ton and Bernard were struck on their
heads by Miller II Is asserted. and
Baster was struck several times With
club before he drew his weapon.
The first shot was aimed at Miller's
head. The bullet went true, and
crashed into the brain OK Miller, who
fell dead few feet from the men who
fred the shot. Two more shots fol-
lowed, and Mcclure was struck in the
left arm and right cheek Baster re-
NAMED at the scene of the shooting
and gave himself up when the police
arrived The others were arrested
while running away, the firing having
attracted number of policemen.
After the shooting Chief of Police
Ripley issued an order to the depart
ment that all offenders in the cases OF
assaults upon non-union men should
n L. .4aI
After issuing the order Chief Ripley
said:
81 am going to put stop to these
assaults If / have to go out myself
and travel beat / can see no reason
why lot of labor men can parade the
city and jump on helpless man just
because that individual sees fit to
disobey their orders From what /
understand Miller, the murdered man,
was always looking for trouble, beat
ing every alleged non-union man who
crossed his path From what / can
learn 1t seems that Baster was justified
in shooting. 1t is getting so nova
DAYS that a man who does not wish to
join some union is compelled to carry
weapon of some sort to defend his
life This state of affairs must cease,
and cease Immediately. and as long as
the union men insist on creating
trouble and committing assaults they
will be arrested and prosecuted"
There were a number of small riots
and assaults during the day in which
non-unir men were beaten, though not
fatally hurt.
Last night George r. Gubbins. presi-
dent of the Bricklayers' union, OF
Chicago, was arrested, charged with
melting riot, which took place at
1888 West Randolph street John
Final, a non-union man, was pound
ed badly during TIE trouble.