The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-05-16
MILITARY
PROTECTION.

Albany, N Y, May l5.-The pres.
ence of the militia in Albany has but
added to the frenzy Of the street car
strikers and their sympathizers. NOV
until the National Guardsmen reached
here had firearms been brought INTO
use by them. This occurred when
more non union men arrived this eVen'
ing, when three shots were fired from
the crowd at the non-union men.
One bullet struck Gilbert Hall OF
BROOKLYN, in the arm. He was taken
to the Albany Hosnt al. A dramatic
element was addedto the day by the
sudden death of Adjutant General
Hoffman, from natural causes.
The incident Of the day was the ar
rival Of 100 more non-union men from
New York. Their coming was tn
heralded until the local papers put
out an extra at 5. Is 'clo ck this after
noon. The men reached here at 800
O'Clock. They received such a riot
Gus reception for two miles from the
railroad station to the power barns
that one would have supposed that
the people had had days notice to
prepare for the coming Of the men.
Before the Third Signal Corps,
mounted, passed along the streets
leading to the station, which was the
first notice that many had of the ar
rival Of a second consignment OF non
union men, over two thousand STRIKE
sympathizers were massed about the
square adjoining the exits from the
Union Station. The corps, number
ing but forty.tive officers and men,
was REINFORCED by fifty of the local
policemen,
Previously com pany of the Twen-
ty-third Regiment, accompanied ny
Pinkerton detectives, had proceeded
to the depot to await the coming Of
the men. As ON Monday night, sew
eral trucks were brought into use to
convey the men to the Quail street
barn. The strikers and their friends
were gleeful. Captain Wheeler OF the
Signal Corps. ordered his men to draw
their sabers to protect the men.
AS soon as the first truck was ready
to proceed on its way Captain Wheel
er threw out line to protect it. The
corps was formed into hollow square
hanking the truck on all sides, and
the mounted men pressed close against
the vehicles to protect their charges
as best they could. No time was lost
in starting for the Quail street barn,
where the new corners were to be
quartered.
They had not reached Maiden Lane
a block from the station, before the
missile began to fly. The worst hail
storm imaginable was not comparable
to the shower of bricks, stones and
erything and anything the crowd
could lay its hands on to hurl at the
frightened beings in the wagon. The
people were run mad with thirst for
the blood of non-uulCn men.
The troopers charged the crowd re.
peatedly. Whenever the people got
off the sidewalk they rode the horses
at them. But this was Of no avail.
As soon as the troopers and wagons
passed by the people left the sidewalk
and closed in from behind. They fol-
lowed husling detiances at the troops
and threats at the non-union men.
The strain was too much for some Of
the non-union men, and at Maiden
Lane three of them jun ped from the
trucks. One was hit with brick in
the face as he jumped, but hen they
reached the sidewalk they we're not
molestcd.
The scenes on Broadway were re-
reated on State street. The Signal
Corps pressed closely against the
trucks and got right in the way OF
the flying missiles. Two of the
troopers were immersed by being hit
with rocks. Neither was seriously
injured. They mounted at once and
quickly resumed their dangerous
march. Another trooper was hit in
the Jaw and others were struck with
| bricks.
When the trucks left the station
they were following one another, but
as tie fusillade continued the drivers
and their passengers became demon
allied with fright. -Four more of the
men jumped rather than present
! themselves as targets. The rest bud
| died, crowded about each other, threw
their arms around each other until
Washington avenue was at last reach
ed.
This is tho street on which the
wealthy residents live. Then came
the first shot of the strike. Just as
Albany s fashionable club house, the
Fort Orange, was passed, there was a
loud report. 1t was repeated twice,
and as the third shot rang out there
wasa cry "My God, I'm shot" This
was answered with derisive laugh,
but no more shots were fired for the
Signal corps men wheeled around.