The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-19
The Train Bearing Gen. Goblin
and a Battalion of Troops
Steams Into LansfOrd Before
Daybreak This Morning.
CALL FROM SHERIFF.
Was Responsible for the Sudden
Movement.
Riot Results in the Killing Of
a Miner.

IanSford Pa, Aug. 19.-W1th all
lights out the train bearing General
Goblin and his staff and the first bat
talon of the Twelfth regiment, under
Major Gearhart, from Shenandoah
steamed quietly into this town about
half an hour before daybreak this morn
ing. After consultation lasting about
ten minutes between General Goblin and
Supt. Snyder of the Lehigh Coal and
Navigation company with regard to
suitable location for a camp, the bat
talon olsen barked and in few min
utes were marching to the baseball
park, situated on the western edge OF
the town. The strikers were worked up
to such a high pitch of excitement last
night over the shooting of Sharp. who
was one of their leaders, that it was
feared an outbreak would occur this
morning, and it was thought better to
have the soldiers near at hand. During
the day it is the intention to transfer
the battalion to Manila park, about
midway between Lansford and Tam
aqua, and strike camp.
The people of Lansford received a
great surprise when they awoke this
morning and found a battalion of SOL
diers in their midst The soldiers came
at the request of the sheriff of Carbon
county. Contrary to expectations, no
attempt was made by the strikers to
march tc Nesquehoning and no demon
stration of any kind was made either
here or at Nesquehoning.
The killing of Sharp is discussed on
every street corner today, and while the
strikers denounce it as unprovOked and
cold -blooded murder, the deputies and
coal con pany officials declare the
shooting was done in Self-defenSe.
A deputy named Harry McElmOyle
was arrested charged with the killing
of Sharp. and was taken to the county
jail at Mauch Chunk.
The shooting occurred shortly after 6
o'clock. Five deputies were on their
way to shaft No. of the Lehigh Coal
and Navigation company, just outside
of the town. In the center of the town
they were met by number of strikers.
who began persuading them not to go
to the colliery. The officers did not stop
but kept on their way, and tried to pre-
vent any trouble. The strikers, it is
said, then began to abuse the men and
followed them nearly to the colliery
There are conflicting stories as to what
actually brought on the clash, but just
before the deputies entered the place a
shot was heard and Sharp dropped to
close to his heart. and he died almost
instantly. Witnesses say that the shoot
ing was done by McElmoyle, and that
he stood only six or seven feet from
Sharp when he fired his revolver. Only
one shot was fired.
The deputies Immediately withdrew
to the colliery and large crowd gath
cred about the place When it was
learned that Sharp was dead there was
the greatest indignation among the
strikers and other townspeople, and for
time II looked as though serious
trouble would follow. Cooler heads
among the mine workers however pre-
vailed upon the crowd to disperse, urg-
ing the argument that if there is any
bloodshed troops will surely be sent
here from Shenandoah. The crowd dis
persed and the town soon calmed down
to it's normal state.
SHOT FROM AMBUSH.
Scranton, Pa, Aug. 19-Michael Con-
nelly and Forest Crossman. said to be
nOn-un1On WOrkm6n enDlOyR6 ahOll1
the Edgerton colliery, were shot from
ambush today, presun ably by strikers
Crossman was so badly injured that il
was necessary to amputate his righl
foot. Connelly's condition is regarded
as serious.
The men were working near the
breaker when a bullet whizzed close tc
Crossman's head. Connolly says he
thought the shot had been fired by mine
guards, and shouted a warning. Two
more shots followed, bullet lodging in
Crossman's leg and a charge of shot
shattering Connelly's shoulder. Some
of the shot hit him in the face.