Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1901-11-21
guards.
REGULAR PITCHED BATTLE.
One Man Killed and r Number Wounded
In a Battle Between Union Miners
and Mine Guards.

Madisonville, KY, Nov. 17.-Mining
troubles in this district brought more
bloodshed yesterday. James II.
Smith, a negro striker, Is dead;
George Crouch, another striker, is
fatally wounded, while John West.
Hut Dawson and Nathan Bush, all
guards, are wounded, but none of
them dangerously. II trouble &C.
CURED at the mines of the Providence
Coal Co. II miles from here, where
an attack began at about 4:3O o'clock.
The attacking party, some rs or 50
strong, first fired on the engine
house, n then in a few minutes the
company's stables were surrounded.
A horse and a mule were killed and
several other animals disabled.
By this time the guards were be-
coming active, and the attackers
formed in a semi-circle over the brow
of the hill. From there they poured
a well-directed fire upon the houses
occupied by the n%on-union employees
and their employees. Men aroused
to small timber piles, arranged
IOI use III SUCH dill anu
from behind these returned the fire.
The attacking party, while sending
volley after volley into this quarter.
kept up a steady fire on the tipple, en-
CINE room, stable and other buildings
of the company, while the guards for
their part were doing effective work.
The battle ragged for almost an hour
and a half, when the assailants
withdrew, leaving Smith dead and
Crouch shot through and through on
the field. How many wounded they
took with them is not known, but the
leader was seen to fall, and it is be-
lieved some of the party who went
to his rescue were hit.
County Judge Hall, at Providence,
started an investigation. An inquest
was held, the coroner's jury verdict
being that the negro came to his
death at the hands of h guards,
while defending life and property, and
they were therefore justifiable.
AdJt.-Gen. Murray at once COM
menced an investigation, opening Up
communication with the governor.
Two companies of state troops have
been ordered out. The jacksonville
company is doing duty in the out
skirts of town, and the Hopkinsville
company, of the state guard, under
command of Capt. II. Thomas, and
Second-Lieut. Robert Bellamy, reached
here at II o'clock tonight. There are
but 80 of the men, as orders reached
Hopkinsville but a short while before
train time. The company has an en-
listed strength of 20, and those who
could not be found tonight will fol
low in the morning. Maj. E. B. Bas-
settle, of the Third regiment, of Hop
kinsville, accompanied the troops.
AdJt.-Gen. Murray issued a statement
tonight in which he declares he is de
terpined that lawlessness shall be
suppressed.
A detail of 20 men has started for
the Providence mine. Tonight 8
the train having the troops aboard
passed .Nortonville camp, located il
the woods near the railroad, camp
fires could be observed, and the scene
was one of hustle. Several shots
were fired, but not at the train.
At the jacksonville camp the strik-
ers were astir. A ~searchlight recently
placed on top of a coal tipple near
Madisonville was thrown on the
camp. About $50 men were there.
handling their arms and walking
about between their tents.