The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-30
ORDERED TO DISPfRSE
They Refuse to Obey the Command of
the Soldiers.
THE LATTER ATTEMPT TO ENFORCE IT
The Strikers Finav Driven Back From the
Cars. Major Gsarhart viii Ask to
Have Lansford Placed Under
Military Law,
fBy the Associated Press.) )

Tamaeua, Pa, Aug. 29.-In an encoun-
ter between troops and strikers at Lans-
feri today Captain w. H. Heinz of Com
pany K, Twelfth 5iment, was slightly
injured. half dozen strikers were bay
onetted by the soldiers as result of the
fracas. Major Gearhart in command of
the troops here states that he will ap-
peal to the military authorities to put
the town of Lansford under martial law
From daybreak the troops were active
in qucllng disturbances and protecting
non union men which were on their way
to work. AS has been the case for the
past few days the troops were jeered
wherever they went. The officers re-
peatedly admonished the crowds not to
insult or modest the soldiers but their
words had but little effect.
At five o'clock Companies X and E were
placed in two trolley cars. One of the
cars was run in front of the car which
carried the non-unior 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 demonstration.
At Summit Hill about double the usual
number of men availed themselves of the
protection of the soldiers and went to
work. The pickets of the strikers made
efforts TO stop them, but the warnings
of the soldiers held them at bay.
When the workmen had been loaded on
t. the car the return trip through the
volley commenced. The word that more
spread .hrough the lower part of the val
ley like wildfire and in a short time the
streets We're almost blocked with peo-
pie. When the corner of Center and
East Bertsch streets was reached the cars
stopped to allow several non-union men
to get off.
AS the men stepped to the ground the
mob made a rush for them. half dozen
soldiers sprang off the car and with
levcled guns forced the strikers back and
made passageway for the non-union
men,
When the soldiers returned after es-
corting Sheir charges to a place of safety
the mob commenced to close in around
the cars. The strikers were in an ugly
mood and wnen ordered to disperse mere
ly yelled louder and pressed closer.
AS Captain Helm, of Company X, was
about 20 jump from the car he was
seized around the legs and thrown to
the ground. half dozen privates who
followed him were roughly handled. One
of the men had a portion of his shirt
torn off and according to the enlisted
men and the officers, number of blows
were struck Major Gearhart who was
in command of the two companies, then
ordered his men to disembarh.
With dubbed guns and fixed bayonets
the sol1iers forced the crowd back. Many
of the strikers stood their ground and
would not move until the soldiers jabbed
them with their bayonets. Some of the
strikers fearing that the troops would
fire, rushed into the opera house on the
corner and for "a time a wild scene of
confusion reigned. In about five min
Ltes the crowd had been pushed back
to the curb line.
In the melee several OF the strikers
were knocked down while others suffered
slight bayonet wounds Captain Helm
was severely bruised by his fall.