Evening journal., 1902-08-12
STRIKERS MAKING
RAIDS ON FARMERS
Latter Appeal to The Troops
for Relief
Soldiers Are Feeding Hungry Women
aud Children, The Number Oigh
Whom Is Increasing Daily

Shenandoah. Pa, Aug. 12.-Com-
plaint was made TO brigade headquar-
ters yesterday that strikers are for
aging in the rich agricultural district
Of the Catawissa Valley, which
spreads its broad and fertile length
along Che other side of the mountains
north of this city. The life of one
farmer has been threatened because
he attempted to protect his property,
and the raids have reached such seri-
Gus proportions that the farmers are
preparing to take some concerted ac-
tion to stop further depredations
The complaints reached headquarters
yesterday afternoon, and il is not un-
likely that cavalry win be sent into
the district for the purpose OF stop
ping the raids. If the cavalry is sent
there 1t is probable that a platoon Of
the troopers will be left in the valley
to patrol the farms day and night
The farmers are drawing up a petit
tion asking for protection. which will
be sent to the sheriff in case General
Goblin decides not to send the troops
into the valley.
Lucien Munbeck, a farmer, reported
that for some time past raids have
been made on his place by parties Of
men. Early yesterday morning he
caught man tearing out whole stalks
of corn. He ordered the man off the
place, and as he was leaving he fred
two shots at the farmer. The latter
was armed, but did not shoot. A
widow who owns a farm reported that
several men come on her premises
and started to dig out potatoes. She
ordered them off the patch, but they
paid no attention to her. and did not
leave until they had taken all they
needed. One farmer has several men
patrolling his farm day and night.
The foragers do not confine them
selves to stealing crops. but also take
away with them chickens and geese.
The soldiers in camp are daily feed
ing several hundred women and chh.
dren They some there, saying they
are hungry, and as there is more than
enough food IN the camp to supply
the wants Of the men, the officers
permit the soldiers ~ give something
to the needy applicants. The mum
Der that came last week was small,
but It is increasing every day Some
OF the women and all of the children
come to the camp in their bare feet
Many Of them bring baskets to carry
the food home. 1t is a common sight
to see some OF the women and chill
dren take scraps from the leavings OF
the soldiers. Colonel Hoffman. OF the
Eighth Regiment. was asked il all OF
these persons were foreigners. and
he replied that a good many belonged
to the English-speaking classes.
The officials of the Mine Workers
Union deny there is any actual want
They maintain that the local unions
are well able at this time to take care
OF all cases of distress. The strike
situation remains unchanged, and the
region hereabouts is peaceful.
The estimated cost of the coal min.
ers' strike to date is as follows: To
operators, $50. 100000; to strikers
wages. $4,000, ,OOO to other workers
made idle, sS,OOO,OOO: to business
men in region. s1O.3OO.0O0; to bust
ness men outside. s6,O0O.O0O; main
tanning deputies. s775.OOO; maintain.
ing non-union men. s8SO,OOO; damage
to mines, $4,000. 600; wage loss Of lace
mill strike. $4,000; cost Of troops in
/ field. $4,000: total. S71, zoo. 900.