The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-31

SHENANDOAH. Pa. July so.-A reign of
terror. compared with which the scenes
.nacted during the riots of 1900 seem insig-
nifcant. holds Shenandoah in its grasp to-
night.
Since o'clock this evening, Center street,
which is one OF the principal streets of the
town, has been in the hands of an in
furiated mob. Two OF the borough police
men were shot, one perhaps fatally. Joseph
Beddan. a leading merchant and cousin OF
Sheriff BedaII. was bruitally dubbed to
death, and nearly two score of strikers
whose names at this writing cannot be
ascertained were shot by policemen and 1t
Is expected that several deaths will result.
Sheriff Beddan arrived from Pottsville at
7:G o'clock with a posse OF deputies. He
has taken up headquarters at the Ferguson
Hotel. which for time was surrounded
by several thousand men. To reporter he
admitted that he had asked Governor Stone
10 send militia. The Governor wired that II
the citizens of the town petition for troops
he will send them, and petition is
being circulated for that purpose now. 1t
is almost certain that the troops will be
here tomorrow.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
The trouble started about o'clock this
evening. when Deputy Sheriff Thomas Bed
dali attempted to escort two nonunion
workers through the strikers pickets The
workmen were dressed in their street
clothes. but one OF them carried a bundle
under his arm, and this aroused the sus-
picion OF the strikers. The bundle was
torn from him, and when it was found to
contain a blouse and overalls the man was
taken from he deputy and beat almost to
death.
In the meantime BeddaI opened fire on
the mob. which had gathered by this time.
and emptied his revolver. Two of the shots
took effect, one man being shot in the leg
and the other in the foot. The deputy
and the other strike breaker were now
compelled to fly for their lives. and took
refuge in the Philadelphia & Reading Rail-
road depot.
The depot was soon surrounded by an
angry mob of 5000. which was becoming
more threatening and demonstrative every
moment Joseph BeddaIl. hardware mer-
chant, and brother of the deputy sheriff.
was seen making his way through the
crowd in an effort TO reach his brother,
and the mob. divining that he was carrying
ammunition to those inside the depot
seized him and beat him with clubs and
billies into insensibility. He died en- route
10 the miners hospital.
POLICE FIRED A vOLLEY.
shortly after this the entire borough
police force arrived on the scene and es-
corted the deputy sheriff and his man to an
engine. which had been backed into the
depot for that purpose. When the mob
realized that their prey was about TO es-
cape they surrounded the engine and the
engineer was afraid to move. In few
moments. however, the police fired a vol
ley. dispensing the crowd for brief period
and the engineer turned on full steam and
got away with his men
Stones were thrown thick and fast about
the heads OF the police. whereupon Chief
John Frye gave order to fre. At the first
volley the mob fell back and several were
seen to fall. Their retreat however. was
but momentary They turned. and with
revolvers. stones and even few shotguns.
they charged on the little band OF police
men and made them ny for their lives.
The policemen turned in their flight at
short intervals and fred volley after vol
ley at their pursuers. but the mob seemed
thoroughly infuriated and smoking revol-
vers seemed 10 have no terrors for them.
When the Lehigh railroad crossing was
reached. a passing freight train blocked
the progress Of the police. two OF whom