The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-19
When the Trouble eliminated I'm One
of the Deputies Firing His Revolt
yer at a TormentOr.
APPEAL MADE FOR TROOPS
WHOLE PANTHER VALLEY SAID TO
BE IN TROUBLED STATE.
An Effort TO BE Made by senator Quay
to Bring Mitchell and Baer
Together.

NESQUEHONING. Pa. Aug. ls-In a
clash between striking mine workers
and deputies here tonight. Patrick
Sharp. a striker. OF Landsford. was
shot and killed almost instantly by
a deputy. The shooting caused con-
siderable excitement for a time. but
order was soon restored without any
other persons being injured and the town
is now quiet. A deputy named Harry
McElmerile, was arrested. charged with the
killing of Sharp and was taken to the coun-
ty Jail al Mauch Chunk.
The shooting occurred shortly after
o'clock. Five deputies were on their way
to shaft No. of the Lehigh Coal and
Navigation Company. just outside of the
town. In the center Of the town they were
met by a number of strikers who began
persusding them not to go to the colliery.
The officers did not stop. but kept on their
way and tried to prevent any trouble. The
strikers, it is said, then began to abuse
the men and followed them nearly up to
the colliery. There are conflicting stories
as to what actually brought on the clash.
but just before the deputies entered the
place a shot was heard and Sharp dropped
TO the ground The bullet entered his body
stantIy. Witnesses say that the shooting
was done by McElmerile and that he stood
only six or seven feet from Sharpe when
he fired his revolver. Only one shot was
fired.
The deputies Immediately withdrew TO the
colliery, and a large crowd gathered about
the place. When it was learned that Sharp
was dead there was the greatest indigna-
ton among the strikers and other towns
people, and for a time ii looked as though
serious trouble would follow. Cooler heads
among the mine workers. however. pre-
vailed on the crowd to disperse. using the
argument that if there is any bloodshed
troops will surely be sent here from Shen-
andoah.
Witnesses OF the shooting went to the
office OF w. r. Watkins. the justice OF the
peace, and made information against
Henry McElmerile, charging him with the
shooting OF Sharp. The justice placed the
warrant in the hands OF Constable Deck
ert, who found McEmerile at shaft No. /,
and accompanied by a guard OF other
officers, took his prisoner to the county
jail at Mauch Chunk
Another version OF the encounter says
Sharp and three friends met the party Of
five deputies who were their way to
work and that Sharp walked up TO one
man, presumably McElmerile. called him
an unfair worker and told him that he
would be more Of a man II he did not
wear a star" He then made a lunge at
the officer, whereat the latter drew his
revolver and fired. and Sharp fell 10 the
ground dead After the shooting the nve
officers made their way 10 the Nesquehon-
ing coIliery. where they were employed
Sharp was a leader among the younger
element Of the strikers and when the
news of his death spread the entire Pan
ther creek valley was thrown into a tur-
moil. When his body arrived at his home
in I.ansford a mob of about 500 miners
had gathered. After the dead striker had
been carried home about half the mob
started on a march over the mountains 10
Nesauehoning TO wreak vengeance upon
the deputies. Before they reached there
the five officers were spirited away and taxi
en- to Mauch Chunk under heavy guard.
Tonight Baird Snyder, assistant SUPER
intendent of the Lehigh Coal and Naviga-
ton Company, appealed TO General Goblin.
in comamnd of the detachment Of the Ma
tionai Guard. now on duty at Shenandoah.
to send troops to Lansford to preserve
order. He said that the entire Panther
| creek valley, from Nesquehoning 10 Mauch
| Chunk, was in a riotOus state, and that
/ serious trouble was feared before morning.
/ General Goblin said he could not send
! troops until an appeal had been made by
/ Sheriff Gambert. Up to a late hour the
sheriff had taken no action In the matter.