New-York tribune., 1900-04-18
STRIKERS HEMMED IN.
STRICT WATCH KEPT BY PICKETS-
NIGHT SCENES IN THE TROUBLED
DISTRICT.

The strikers at CrotOu Dam were last night
entirely hemmed in with a Gordon of pckets.
At the order Of Major-General Roe, outposts
were placed at nghtfar along the hilltops on
both sides of the Cyoton Valley, which stretches
east and west. These lines extend from the
Italian village called the "Bowery," below the
new DAM to the old dam. four miles TO east
ward. At the latter point battalion Of the
Tth Regiment has been intrenched. on each side
OF the new dam the cavalry forces of Squadron
A and Troop are on guard. At the extreme
western end of the valley the two companies Of
infantry from Mount Vernon and Yonkers are
encamped. On a high bluff few feet from the
office of the contractors and overlooking the
whole scene are the tents of General Roe and
hts staff
A few hours af-er sunset the stiffness of the
night was suddenly broken by the report of
carbine. The echo resounded from wall TO wall
of the ravine and brought out numbers of ex-
cited soldiers from their tents. The first words
that went from mouth 20 mouth were Another
man shot" Shouts from different points along
the lines OF pckets then were heard. The sus
pense continued until ii was learned that
cavalry picket had shot off his carbine as
warning.
Following close upon this incident
other which frightened out a whole guard Of
infantry. Picket No. s, stationed at the Bowery
Bridge, which crosses the stream just below the
new dam, in covering his post ran across three
men who behaved in a suspicious manner.
Upon being challenged they fell down fiat on
their faces. The sentry challenged again, only
to see the three men jump UP and dart into the
woods. At this he called 70 the guard. Imme-
diately twenty men responded The wood was
searched, but no trace Of the men was found.
It is generally felt that the chief danger falls
upon the pCkets, who are patrOlling strange
places in the darkness, and who thus expose
themselves as an easy target 10 a concealed
marksman.
All except twenty-five deputies were sent back
to their homes last night About one hundred
and seventy-1ve were allowed 10 go. After be
ing drehched by yesterdays rain they appeared
TO be glad to return home. The twenty-five re-
naming deputies were divided into two divisions.
one IS 20 guard the pump which keeps down the
level of the damned waters and the other the
powder house,
General Roe said at late hour that he bad
not yet heard Of the arrival OF the last seven
companies of the 9TH Regiment, who were stalled
on the way at ATdsey.
In the morning the battalion Of the 18th now
there viii be moved from the old dam to guard
the new quarry, about two miles away This is
to protect whatever laborers want to go 80 work
there when the whistle blows At O'Clock. II
is this quarry that trouble if any, is expected
II was here that the strike began. the laborers
demanding 81 80 a day instead of 81 -. When
the works open this morning, it is rumored
many Of the masons and skilled artisans who
have never complained of their wages. will re-
turn TO work. They have enough cement and
stone. il is said, TO keep them at work for three
four days Thus they are independent of
the quarry for this length Of time, and ii mat
ters not whether the laborers go to work there
not.
Three more shots were fired in the valley
toward midnight. one was across the river from
General ROe's camp. II was fired by cavalry
man Of squadron 4. Another shot rang out near
the place where Sergeant Douglass slain on
the previous night. II was from the rife OF a
WestCkesteT infantrynan. When the third shot
heard General Roe sent out orderly on
horseback 70 learn the After skirting
along the edge of the stream for more than a
mile the rider returned and reported that his
quest had been vain.
Much anxiety is manifested by the officers re-
garding the safety Of the isolated pickets. 1t is
said that Of these can easily be picked of
by sharpshooter from ambush without any
cipitOus hlsides and dense Underbrush in every
way contribute to such tactics. General Roe aC-
COrdingly gave out orders a little before mid
night that the utmost StTCtness should be main
tanned by the picket lines, that no one should be
allowed TO pass without special permit and
this only by the recognized entrances.