The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-24
BATTLE FOUGHT.
AZ Mob Attacks WOrkmen in
Mill at Lebanon, Pa.
A Number Of Persons Shot but
None Fatally.
FIRED FROM A FIELD.
Poured in Regular Volleys I'm
der Cover of Darkness.
Workmen Replied Until Soldiers
Stopped the Fray.
FIRED FROM A FIELD.

Lebanon, Pa, Sept. 24.-In the dark
ness of early morning battle between
mob and the men inside the American
Iron & Steel cOmpany's mill took place
and several were shot, none fatally. The
soldiers stopped the affray and made
many arrests. The mob fired from a
corn field just beyond the works. I'm
der cover of darkness number of
men gathered in the field and opened
fire on the works in regular vOlleys.
The men inside the works assembled
in force and returned the fire. The
soldiers were summoned and they dis
persed the crowd of spectators which
had gathered upon hearing the firing
and then raided the cornf1eld, arrest
ing thirty of the mob, large number
of whom, it is said, were armed. Other
arrests were made later and soldiers
patrOlled the streets, sending home ev-
cry one who loitered and arrested those
who answered back or refused to keep
moving. Few people went to bed and
firing was heard from the vicinity OF
the mills all night
This morning the situation is more
quiet, although an ugly feeling prevails.
The soldiers sent here last night are on
duty and have pitched their tents ap-
parently for a long stay. No move has
been made to send the colored iron
workers away as the management of
the American Iron and Steel company
is said to have promised Mayor Hess
yesterday and it now looks as If they
are to stay.
SHERIFF IS POWERLESS.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Sept. PA reign of
terror existed in this section last night
and early today. Sheriff Jacobs and his
deputies were powerless to preserve Or
der. No sooner was one outbreak sup
pressed than another broke out.
AT Nanticoke the street cars were
boarded by the mob in search of nom
union men coming from going to
work. A sheriff's posse and a crowd of
strikers exchanged shots at Wanamie.
i fI<1<2
coal cars. At Plymouth a number of
nonunion men on their way home from
No. mine were held up and beaten so
badly that they were left on the road
way for dead.
Shortly after 1 o'clock a demand for
more deputies received from no
less than ten places in Luzerne county.
Those applying for aid said that if help
were not sent at once there would be
loss of property and possible bloodshed.
Sheriff Jacobs after a consultation with
his attorney decided to take no more
chances but to appeal to the governor
at once. Shortly before 2 O'Clock this
morning the sheriff telegraphed Cover
nor Stone, telling him that the situation
in the Wyoming region was beyond his
| control and that in order to protect the
| life and property, troops would have to
be sent here Immediately. The COVER
nor's secretary replied that the matter
would be laid before the former at
once.
| At Exeter this morning mob of 500
gathered in the vicinity of a washery
and prevented the employees from going
to work. A deputy sheriff named Burke
was knocked down by stones and in
! jured severely.
| Large crowds of men and boys are
gathered around the washeries and
mines in operation and the situation is
very threatening.
i T1orriGby1rC Pa Sent 24-TrooY1a Will
be sent to Luzerne county before nigh,
| If rioting in that locality does moi
cease. Governor Stone and Adjutant
General Stewart were in conference
with Sheriff Jacobs at Willzesbarre by
telephone this morning. The governor
i does not want to order out additional
troops unless 1t is absolutely necessary
and before doing so he will investigate
the situation in the localities where
there is trouble.
/ Sheriff Jacobs te1egraphfc request fol-
| troops was received after midnight by
Private Secretary Gerwig, who called
| the sheriff up over the telephone tt
learn the situation more fully. Sheriff
Jacobs said the rioters had fired severa
shots into a washery near Wilkesbarr'
and had blown up a railroad bridg,
/ with dynamite. He was alone in hi.
Office while speaking with Mr.. Gerw1e
| and said it would not be necessary tt
send troops before morning.
| The governors advices from Lebanon
improved and that there are no sign.
of further rioting or an outbreak sucl
as would require the presence Of addi
tional troops.
The Ninth regiment, whose head
quarters are at Wilkesbarre, is unde
waiting orders. and If the sheriff re
news his request it Is likely that thi
regiment will be forwarded.
| Capt H. M. Richards, treasurer o
the American Iron and Steel company
who was shot last night, is not serious
ly injured He expects to resume hi
duties in a few days.
/ NINTH CALLED OUT
Wilkesbarre, Sept. Ex-Governor Stone
Adit Cen Stewart and Sheriff Jacobs
did considerable talking over the lon,
distance telephone today. The governo
suggested that the names of twelv,
prominent citizens be sent him as
guarantee that there was real need fo
the troops. The required number O
signatures having been secured, tn
governor and Adjt. Gen. Stewart thel
held a conference and at noon the or
der came along calling out the Nintl
regiment with headquarters in thi
city The work of mobilizing the regi
ment at once commenced.
The regiment is made up of IL com
panies, about 750 strong, and is com
. manded by Col. C. B. Dougherty. TIL
troops will be ready to take the field il
| a few hours. Battalions will at ono
be sent to Pittston, Nanticoke and Plym
outh, where disturbances occurred las
| night.