The Canton times., 1902-09-05
r.,ounter Between Troops and Riot
GUS Strikers at Lansford,
Pennsylvania. M
,lpItas FORCED 70 USE sAyenETs.
=. the Fear that an Order to Fire
would be Given Kept the Crowd
From Overwheiming the Handful
), Troops-Capt. Helm Severely
Bruised.

Tomaoua, Pa, Aug. 3O.-In an en-
counter between troops and strikers
:. Iansford, Friday morning Capt,
" n Helm, Of Company X. Twelfth
..a,ment, was slightly injured. A
hsIf.dozen strikers were bayoneted
j. - the soldiers as a result of the
,racas. Mai. Gearhart, in command
II the troops here, states that he will
.nneal to the military authorities to
n,,t M the, town of Lansford under ma
tial law.
From daybreak the troops were
active in quelling disturbances and
protecting non-union men while on
their way to work. As has been the
ease for the past few days, the
troops were jeered wherever they
went. The officers repeatedly admon-
ished the crowds MOTTO insult or mo-
lest the soldiers, but their words had
hut little, effect. At five o'clock Com
panies X. and E. were placed in two
trolley cars. One of the cars was
run in front of the car which carried
the non-union men to work and the
other in the rear. While passing
through Coaldale and Lansford the
soldiers were hooted, but as no stop
was made, the strikers did not make
any violent demonstrations. At Sum-
NIT Hill about double the usual num-
ber of men ayailed themselves of the
protection Of the soldiers and went
to work. The pickets OF the strik-
ers made efforts to stop them, but
the warnings of the soldiers held
them at bay.
On the Return Trip.
When the workmen had been load
ed on to the cars, the return trip
through the valley commenced. The
word that more men than usual were
'eporting for work speard through
he lower part Of the valley like wild
Ire and in a short time the streets
we're almost blocked with people.
When the corner of Center and East
'ertsch streets was reached, the cars
topped to allow several non-union
len to get off. AS the men stepped
0 the ground the mob made rush
Or them. A half-dozen soldiers
prang off the car and with leveled
uns forced the strikers back and
'ade passageway for the non-union
len. When the soldiers returned
tier escorting their charges to a
lace of safety, the mob commenced
close in around the cars. f.
Strikers In Ugly Mood.
The strikers were in an ugly mood,
I'd when ordered to disperse, merely
lled louder and pressed closer. AS
lpt Helm of ompany K was about
Jump from the car he was seized
ound the legs and thrown to the
ound. A half-dozen privates who
lowed him were roughly handled. ,
lie of the men had a portion of his
lrt torn off and, according to the [
listed men and the officers. num- l
OF blows were struck. Maj. Gear I
TT, who was in command of the e
companies, then ordered his men t
disembark. With clubbeo guns
fixed bayonests the soldiers
'ced the crowd back. Many of the
lkers stood their ground and
uld not move until the soldiers
oed them with their bayonets.
Feared the Troops wold Fire.
ONE of the strikers, fearing that
troops would fire, rushed into the s
IA house on the corner, and for a a
e wild scene of confusion d
5ned. In about five minutes the r
wd had been pushed back to the Il
o line. In the melee several of the a
kers were knocked down while W
ers suffered slight bayonet g
inds. Capt. Helm was severely b.
ised by his fall. g