The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-08-19
STRIKER SHOT DEAD
KILLED By DEPUTY GUARDING
NINE AT NESQUEHONING.
PATRICK SHARP SLAIN MAN.
DEPUTY McELMOYLE ARRESTED,
CHARGED WITH THE HOMICIDE.

Oeputfes on Way to Mine Net by
moved by Entreatfes, They Grew
suIIen Under Threats-ConHicting
stories as to the CIash-ShOt sud-
denly Fired and Sharp FeII-Pas-
siOns Rose to White Heat, hut
Cooler CounseIs PrevniIed-RiOt
Averted and Town Quiet.
Nesquehoning, Pa, Aug. 1S.-In a
clash between striking mine workers
and deputies here tonight, Patrick
Sharp, a striker of Lansford. was shot
and killed almost instantly by a dep
uty. The shooting caused consider
able excitement for time, but order
was soon restored without any other
persons being injured, and the town
IS now quiet. A deputy named Harry
McEimoyle was arrested, charged with
the killing of Sharp, and was taken
to the county Jail at Mauch Chunk.
The shooting occurred shortly after
6 o'clock. Five deputies We're on their
way to shaft No. 1 of the Lehigh Coal
and Navigation Company, just outside
they were met by number Of strikers
who began persuading them not to go
to their colliery. The officers did not
stop, but kept on their way and tried
TO prevent any trouble. The strikers,
1t is claimed, then began to abuse the
men. and followed them nearly Up to
the coIliery.
Sudden Shot Rang Out.
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 close to his heart,
and he died almost instantly. Wit
nesses say that the shooting was done
by McElmoyle, and that he stood only
six or seven feet from Sharp when
he fired his revolver. Only one shot
was fired.
The deputies Immediately withdrew
to the colliery and large crowd gath
cred about the place. When it was
learned that Sharp was dead there
was the greatest indignation among
the strikers and other townspeople,
and for time it looked as though Sc
rious trouble would follow. Cooler
heads among the mine workers, how
ever. prevailed upon the crowd to dis
perse, using the argument that if
there is any bloodshed troops would
surely be sent here from Shenandoah.
The crowd dispersed and the town
soon Gained down to its normal state.
McEimoyIe's Arrest Made.
Witnesses to the shooting went to
the Office of w. S. Watkins, the justice
of the peace, and made information
q
him with the shooting of Sharp. The
justice placed the warrant in the
hands OF Constable Eckert, who found
McElmoyle at Shaft No. 1, and, ac-
companied by guard of other officers,
took his prisoner to the county Jail at
Mauch Chunk.
Sheriff ]. H. Gombert OF this Gear
bonn county, is at Mauch Chunk. 1t is
reported here that he may ask that a
detachment of troops now stationed at
Shenandoah be sent to the Panther
creek valley.
Deputy's story of Shooting.
Another version of the encounter
says Sharp and three friends met the
party of five deputies, who were on
their way to work. and chat Sharp
walked up to one of the men, presum-
ably McElmoyle, called him en- "un-
fair worker and told him that ne
would be more of man II he did NOT
wear star. He then. it is claimed,
made a lunge at the officer, whereat
the latter drew his revolver and fired;
Sharp fell to the ground dead.
After the shooting the five deputies
made their way to the Nesqu ehoning
colliery, where they were employed.
Sharp was leader among the young
er strikers. and when the news of his
death spread the entire Panther Creek
Valley was thrown into a turmoil
When his body arrived at mis- home
mad gathered. After the lead striker
mad been carried home, about half the
MOB started on march oyer the
mountain to Nesquehoning TO wreak
vengeance upon the deputies. Before
they reached there the five officers
We're spirited away and taken to
Mauch Chunk under a heavy guard
Tonight Baird Snyder, assistant
Superintendent of the Lehigh Coal and
Navigation Company. appealed to Gen.
Goblin, in command of the detachment
OF National Guard now on duty at
shenandoah, to send troops to Lans-
lord to preserve order. He claimed
mat the Panther Creek valley from
Nesquehoning to Mauch Chunk was in
a rlotous state and that serious trou-
pie was feared before morning. Gen.
Nooin said he could not send troops
eiltl an appeal had been made by
SHerltt Gombert. Up to a late hour
me sheriff had taken no action.