The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-13
MINERS OPEN FIRE
 ON A LOCOMOTIVE
From Ambush They Pour Vol ley. of Buckshot Into Cab
OCCUPANTS WERE SAVED
Dropped to Floor at First Warning and Escaped-Miners Themselves May Organize Police System
 to Maintain Peace.

Wilkesbarre Pa. June 12.-It was learned at the office of the Lehigh Val ley Coal Company today that an at- tempt was made last night on the life of Superintendent Thomas of the Will liam A. colliery of the Lehigh Valley Company at Old Forge, north of this city. For the last four days crowds have been gathering each morning and even- ing on a hill which overlooks the col fiery and throwing stones at the men at work in the enclosure. The day and night superint endents do not live in the colliery, as do many of the other em- ployes, and they are taken to and from the collery on a locomotive. Last night the night superintendent reached the colliery safely.
 A few minutes later Superintendent Thomas came out and when about 300 var ds from the breaker, he says, a num- 1 Der of men who were in ambush opened fire on the locomotive. Fortunately the engine was traveling rapidly. and 1t was soon out of range of fire The officials 1 say about ten shots were fred The Min CTS Union Is doing everything possible i lO ildNe llS ldlG7 tlltil dl biieit Poiht hSNP the peace.
 l There were six persons on the locomo- l tive the engineer, fireman, conductor, 1 two brakemen and Superintendent Thom- as. As soon as the firing began the six men immedia to1y dropped to the floor of l the locomotive and its tender, and in l that way saved themselves.
 The window panes of the cab were bro- ken and the locomotive and tender were perforated with bullets and buckshot
 District President T. D. Nichols who, with District President Duffy, who were
 In conference with President Mitchell last night, left today for Bureau, which Is close 10 the scene of the shooting. It Is believed he will attempt to get the strik- CTS there to organize a police system to keep the borough quiet.
 President Mitchell had nothing to say today on either the anthracite or soft coal trouble. It will be four weeks tomorrow since the anthracite districts requested the call for a special national convcn- tion to consider the advisa bility of involv- ing all the soft coal miners in the United States in the anthracite strike Mir Mitchell was asked today by the Asso- ciated Press correspondent whether he had the consent of five districts neces- sary to call a national convention. He said he could not talk aDCut the matter
 No Change Shown. | Huntington, w. Va, June 12.-There Is no change in the strike situation in the 1 southern portion of the state today. On
 the Chesapeake and Ohio twelve thousand l miners are out while 2000 are at work. 1 On the Norfolk and Western out of 14,0OO men 1500 are at work.
 Send to Alabama for Help. Thurmond, w. Va, June 12.-A rumor was current here today that the opera | tors have combined and sent to Alabama, | Georgia, Texas and Louisiana for ne- i groes to take the places of striking min CTS and that agents will search those l states for men who will be transported | to West Virginia in large bodies. Chris Evans, national statistician of the United Mine Workers, was here today but went into the coal region, saying he de- sired to see the operators.
 Strike Leaders on Trial. Failmont, w. Va, June 12.-The trial of the strike leaders was the event of the day and a decision by Squire Enid was withheld until tomorrow. The organizers gave bond this evening and are at liberty. Meanwhile the United States marshals are serving the remaining leaders still In camp and their followers at Monongah with injunction papers. Mother Jones kept a hundred of the strikers together there and still promises them that recruits will be forthcoming. All the mines are running today, so it is reported.