The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-08
QUICK TO SHOOT.
Free Use Of Arms in the An
thracite District
Is the Cause Of Much Disturb
ance and Some Bloodshed.
SHOT INTO. A CROWD.
Coal and Iron Policeman Wounds
Woman.
Mob Jumps ON Him and Beats
Him Nearly to Death.
Free Use Of Arms In the An
thracite District
Is the Cause Of Much Disturb
ance and Some Bloodshed.
SHOT INTO A CROWD.
Coal and Iron P0licemanW Wounds
Woman.
Mob Jumps ON Him and Beats
Him Nearly to Death.

Wilkesbarre, Pa, Sept 8.-A crowd OF
striking miners, mostly foreigners, re-
manned all night around the lookup at
Edwardsville, where Hiram Fischer was
confined. The prisoner was held up last
night as he was returning from one OF
the mines where he is employed as
coal and iron policeman. Thinking his
life was in danger he fired into the
crowd and two of the bullets struck
Mrs. John Kasmaugh, Polish woman
who was seated on stoop short dis
tance away. After firing fthe shots
Fischer was set upon by the mob and
beaten SO badly that he was left for
dead on the road. Later he was taken
to the town lookup where a physician
was in attendance the greater part OF
the night. This. morning Fischer was q
little better. Notwithstanding his CON-
dition the mob gathered on the outside
of the lookup and wanted to beat down
the place and lynch him. The strong
guard that Burgess Danno had pro-
vided, prevented this.
Two Italian striking miners named
Frank Portray and Sistino Van CostelioB
left their homes in Swoyersville, near
here today to go on hunting trip, AS
they approached the Harry E. colliery,
they were held up by pickets who nais-
took them for armed non-union men go-
ing to work. The pickets at once attack
ed the Italians. Van Costello was shot
in the leg and his brains beaten out
with stones and clubs His companion
was knocked down. his gun was taken
from him and then his assailants beat
him with clubs SO that his life is dis
paired of. Sheriff Jacobs and large
number of deputies went to the scene
The friends of the dead Italians have
sworn vengeance and threaten to kill
the men who committed the assault on
their countrymen.
TROOPS PATROL THE VALLEY
Tamaqua, Pa, Sept. 8.-Today the
Lehigh Coal and Navigation company
claims to have more men at work than
h hod on n nv nj
strike began. The company, however,
will not give out definite statement as
to the number of men who are mining
coal Only two of the collieries are be-
ing operated, No. 4 and No II.
This morning a company of soldiers
and the governors troops of cavalry
patrolled the valley. They report that
there are no disturbances. United Mine
Workers leaders deny that the COM
pany had made any gains They say
that they can prove the men >re stand
ing firm. The company, they assert, IS
making. a strong effort to break the
strike, but IS not meeting with success.
MITCHELL DIDN'T SAY IT.
Wilkesbarre, Pa, Sept. 8--Presidenf
Mitchell stated today that the reports
sent out from Scranton to the effect
that he told a friend that the strike wouiu
strikers would have to- go back to work
fabrication He SAYS he never made
such a remark to any person. 1t is
stated here that the Parsons, Pa, local
union of the mine workers has passed q
resolution to return to work on Sep
tember u