Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-08-07
STEAMBOATS, RIOT.
State Troops Camped on a Gill
Overlooking the City
MINERS WANT TROOPS WITHDRAWN.
A Statement That Deputy Sheriff Beddal
Was Wholly Responsible for the Riot,
~ His Firing on His Revolver
Angered the Crowd.


~ His Firing on His Revolver
Angered the Crowd.
Shenandoah, Pa, Aug. 1.--Twely'
hundred state troops were encampet
last night on a hill overlooking
Shenandoah. Down in the tow
where rioters and policemen Tough
the bloody battle Wednesday nigh
all is quiet and the indications art
that SO long as the militia remains
the peace Of the community will
not again be broken. The riot, which
caused the soldiers to be sent here
came like fash and was over al
most as quickly as it had started
and since there has not been q single
case Of violence reported. The
tens Of thousands Of idle men and
boys in this vicinity who had been
gathering in large numbers and
marching from place to place, did
not repeat their demonstrations yes
terday and the authorities conse-
quently had little or nothing to do.
Contrary to popular belief Shen-
andoah is not under martial law,
The local authorities and the sheriff
of the county have not relnquished
control of the town or county and
they remain in as complete control
of their respective affairs as they
did before the troops reached here.
The soldiers are merely in camp
OH the outside of the town. 1t was
deemed advisable, however, by the
brigadier general to establish pro-
vost guard in certain parts OF the
town. Maj. Norman $. Farquhar, Of
Pottsville, is the provost marshal.
So long as the situation remains as
1t is at present there Is no likelihood
that the regimental companies will
be scattered through the mining
town of Schuylkill county. 1t is the
intention of Gen. Goblin to have the
troops occupy their time by going
through drills, target practice and
general camp routine.
The mine workers are greatly in
censed over the calling out Of the
troops. The strikers, through their
officials, are making an effort to have
the soldiers withdrawn. The first
step in this direction was taken yes
terday afternoon when the following
telegram was sent from here to Gov.
Stone:
"We, the undersigned officials of
The Ninth district Of the miners
union, believe that the request made
TO you to send troops to Shenan-
1oah was based upon exaggeration,
and as we are confirmed in this be-
lief we respectfully request you to
send Il personal representative into
this town to investigate the condi-
lions and after such investigation be-
ieve that you will learn that the
presence of the troops in this town
s unnecessary and that the order
should be revoked Miles Dougherty,
rerrance Ginley, Martin Powasis, j.
I. Williams, 7. j. Richards"
II is said the mine workers Off
'ials intend to circulate among the
itizens of the town for signatures
petition calling upon the governor
o withdraw the troops.
Miles Dougherty, national board
member of the United Mine Workers
rom this district, told the Associ-
ted press last night that Deputy
herifl Thomas Beddal, who is a
ephew of the sheriff of the county
nd who was escorting workmen
long the street, which action led
o the riot, was wholly responsible
or the trouble. Mr.. Dougherty said
'eddal had no good right to shoot,
$ no one was making an attack upon
i'm. The firing of the revolver, he
aid, angered the crowd, which soon
ot beyond the control of the peace
lakers. Beddal's brother Joseph,
Tho attempted to go to his rescue,
'as badly beaten by some one in the
rowd, Mr.. Dougherty said because
e was carrying several boxes of car.
ridges to his brother Thomas. 1t
not Improbable that the strikers
Ill call upon the county officers to
X the responsibility for the shoot
lg on the deputy sheriff.
The district leaders of the miners
MON held several conferences dur
lg the day at which the situation
as thoroughly gone over Commit
'eman Dougherty made full report
, President Mitchell by telephone.
esterday afternoon the miners adj
sorry board of this vicinity, which
lcludcs the officers of the several
zeal unions in this region, held a
scret meeting at which plans were
evised to prevent any intended
reaks in the ranks Of the strikers.
ne Of the things decided upon was
hold frequent meetings of strikers
nd have them addressed bv the yari-