Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-10-17
MARCH HALTED
BY BAYONETS
Soldiers and Strikers Meet
on the Highway.
Panther Greek Valley the
Scene of a Monster Gath
ering Yesterday--Strike
Situation Unchanged.

SITUATION Unchanged.
One of the greatest sights in the
history of the anthracite coal region
was witnessed yesterday morning near
Coadale, Schuylkill county, when an
army of 6,000 strikers were met on the
public road and turned back at the
point of the bayonet by eight companies
of the Fourth regiment of state troops.
That blood was not shed was due to the
coolness and desire to avoid conflict
displayed by the strikers, who, while
believing that their right to walk the
highways was infrnged upon, submitted
to the military arm of the law by obey
ing the orders issued by the troops Of
ficers. Nevertheless, the strikers re-
sorted to strategy, by detachng a part
of the main body and taking circuitous
route, and reached Nesquehoning,
where they succeeded in inducing the
employees to quit work, thereby closing
the big colliery located at that place.
The marching army was composed OF
strikers from every town between Up
per Lehigh and McAdoo, over 600 alone
going from Freeland and vicinity. The
local men left here at s. 30 O'Clock Mon
day evening, and their ranks were in
creased at Drifton, Jeddo, Ebervale and
so on as they passed through the various
towns on their thirtymile march. From
Hazleton, Lattimer, Milnesville and the
South Side towns came thousands, and
when both lines joined forces at mid
night in the Quakake valley the sight
was inspiring to every behoIder.
Led by the Honey Brook band, and
with four drum corps distributed through
the line of parade, the miles were quick
ly travelled, and before 3 o'clock Tues
ing through Tamaqua's streets.
TROOPS AND STRIKERS MEET
just as the marchers were nearing
their first destination, Coaldale, they
were met by two battalions of troops,
Il
from Shenandoah, and at the point of
the bayonet were driven back to Tama-
qua. While this was going on the North
Side contigent made detour and reach
ed Nesquehoning, During the morning
many strikers were placed under arrest,
but were later discharged by orders of
the officers.
Mother" Mary Jones, who led fifty
McAdoo girls, vehemently protested
against the action of the troops in
stopping the marchers. The women
had to be almost pushed along by the
troops, so slowly did they walk. They
continually jeered at the soldiers, and
threatened them with punishment If
they should dare to visit McAdoo. 1t
took from o'clock until after a. III.
to drive the crowd back to Tamaqua.
1t was the most exciting morning that
valley has ever experienced. Strikers
appeared on every road and soldiers
were scurrying in every direction head
ing off the marching men. The troops
were patient, as a general rule, while
the labor men were careful not to com
nit overt acts. For moment Just as
the two forces met in the darkness it
looked as if a clash would come, but the
good sense of those who had charge of
the strikers prevented a conflict.
PEOPLE IN SUSPENSE
During the day there were many
rumors that the soldiers and strikers
had clashed and these reports caused
much uneasiness in town, on account of
many Freeland men being in the ranks
of the marchers.
MARCHERs COMING HOME.
During yesterday afternoon and all
last night parties of tired marchers ar
rived in town. They were, for the most
part, footsore and weary. The route to
Coaldale is principally down grade, and
the walk there was scarcely noticed by
the enthusiastic strikers. The uphill
march home, however, with the added
circumstances of sleepless night, tend
ed to dampen their ardor.
CoLLIERIEs RESUME.