The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1902-09-11
DENIESSTR|KE W|LLEND
President Mitchell Has Not Made
Proclamation ~ This Effect.
THE MEN ARE As FIRM AS EVER
elames Operators For Circulating
False Rumors, and Says They Can.
not Break the Strike BY Such
Means-eloodshed at Msltby.

not Break the Strike BY Such
Means-eloodshed at Msltby.
Wilkesbarre. Pa. Sept. 9-President
John Mitchell OF the Mine Workers,
yesterday denied several rumors that
have become current to the effect
that he was making preparations TO
call of the strike, which has now en-.
tered upon its 18th week.
One report from TamaQua had it, on
The authority OF an official OF the Le-
high Coal and Navigation Company.
that President Mitchell was engaged
B preparing a proclamation that
would result in the settlement OF the
strike.
This is absolutely a fabrication
without the slightest foundation" said
Nr. Mitchell Il am preparing no
statement whatever. and the last one
could possibly prepare under the ex
tsting conditions would be one terml.
Mating the strike. That is so ridicu
ious that cannot account for its Gre
dence by any one who is familiar with
the situation.
81 see that Scranton paper makes
Che statement that informed friend
IN Scranton that the strike was lost
and would be called off soon.
ITO this reply: never made such
statement; the strike is not lost;
never intimated that it was, or is, for
TO do so would be to say what | do
not believe. The ranks of our men are
as solid as on the day the convention
at Hazleton declared for the suspen-
sion of operations. There are no de-
sertions. and, as far as the strikers
are concerned. they are well prepared
to continue the struggle to q success
full end.
"The coal operators, am willing to
believe, are using every unfair and
false methods to try to induce dscon-
tent among the strikers. They seem
to have the idea that. by constantly
Matching false rumors and circulating
them broadcast over the country
through their paid agents. they can
cause disquietude among the strikers.
Though they are very successful in
getting these rumors into the public
prints, can give assurance that they
will not break the strike by any such
means. We know our own ground
and stand firm"
Strikers Kill a Comrade.
Two Italian striking miners named
Frank Portray and Sistino Vancostello
left their homes in Swoyersville. near
here, yesterday morning to 20 on a
hunting trip. As they approached the
Harry f. colliery at Maltby they were
held UP by the pickets, who mistook
them for non-union men going to work
armed. The pickets at once attacked
the Italians. Vancostello was shot
in the leg and his brains beaten out
with stones and clubs. His companion
Portray was knocked down, his gun
taken from him and then his assail.
ants beat him with clubs, so that his
life is despaired Of A number OF coal
and iron policemen were on the scene
a few minutes after the discharge OF
the gun was heard. Vancostello was
dead and Portray was unconscious.
The dead man was taken to his
boarding house nearby and his com.
panion was brought to the hospital
in this city. In one of the pockets Of
vancostello's coat was found a union
miners card
Sheriff Jacobs was much exercised
over the riots and ploodshed in the
county. and at one time it was thought
he would have to call upon the militia
for aid Some citizens urged him to
30 so without delay, but yesterday af.
ternoon order was pretty well restor.
ed in the Wyoming region. and II there
are no further outbreaks the sheriff
will not call out the trOons