The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-29
Encounter Between the Soldiers and
the Crowd at Lansford, Pa,
This Morning.
Capt. Helm Of Company K Is Slightly
Injured in Protecting Non
Union Men.
Major Gearhart Wants the Town OF
Lansford Put Under Mar So
tial Law.

Tamaqua, Pa, Aug. 29.-In an en-
counter between troops and strikers at
Lansford this morning, Captain w. H.
Helm Of Company K, Twelfth regiment,
was slightly injured. A half dozen strik-
ers were hayonetted by the soldiers as
result of the rraoas. n
Major Gearhart, in command of the
troops here, states that he will appeal to
the military authorities to put the town of
Lansford under martial law.
From daybreak the troops were active
In quelling disturbances and protecting
non-union men while on their way to work.
AS has been the case for the past few
days, the troops were jeered wherever
they went. The officers repeatedly ad-
monished the crowds not to insult or mo-
lest the soldiers, but their words had but
little effect.
At o'clock Companies A and F were
placed in two trolley cars. One of the
cars was run in front of the car which
carried the non-union men tOwork and the
other in the rear. While passing through
Coaldale and Lansford the soldiers were
hooted.
At Summit Hill about double the usual
number Of men availed themselves Of the
protection of the soldiers and went to
work. The pfckets of the strikers made
efforts to stop them, but the warnings of
the soldiers held them at bay. When the
workmen had been loaded on to the cars
the return trip through the valley COM
menced.
The word that more men than usual
were reporting for work spread through
the lower part of the valley and in a
short time the streets were almost
blocked with people. When the corner Of
Center and East Bertsch streets was
reached, the cars stopped to allow several
non-uniOn men to get Off.
AS the men stepped to the ground the
mob made rush for them. A half dozen
soldiers sprang off the car and with lev
eled guns forced the strikers back. and
made passageway for the non-union men.
When the soldiers returned, after, es-
corting their charges to place of safety,
the mob commenced to close in around the
cars. The strikers were in ugly mood
and when ordered to disperse, merely
yelled louder and pressed closer.
AS Captain Helm of Company K was
about to jump from the car he was seized
around the legs and thrown to the ground
A half dozen privates who followed him
were roughly handled. One of the men
had a portion of his shirt torn off and
according to the enlisted men and the Of
ficers. a number of blows were struck
~ Major Gearhart, who was In command OF
the two companies, then ordered his men
to disembark. - .s--
With dubbed guns and fixed ,bayonets
the soldiers forced the. crowd back Many
of the strikers stood their ground and
would not move until the soldiers jabbeG
them with their bayonets. Some of the
strikers fearing that the troops would fire
rushed into the opera house on the cor.
ner and for time wild scene Of con
fusion reigned In about five minute!
the crowd had been pushed back to tn,
curb line. In the melee several Of tn,
strikers were knocked down while other!
suffered slight bayonet wounds. Captain
Helm was severely bruised by his fall
Last night a car load Of timber which wa
standing on the Lehigh Coal and Naviga
ton companys tracks at Summit Hill wa.
started down the steep stretch of roat
which leads to Lansford. The car leapet
the track at a sharp curve and was hurled
to the bottom of mine breach
At midnight the governors troop, Cap
tain Weaver, was sent to Summit FILL tt
/ protect the home Of William Henry, {
non-union man. It was reported that tn,
strikers were firing on the house.
part of the troop remained on guard ther
all night. -,~.