The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-06-17
BY PROVIDENCE STRIKING
STREET CAR MEN
A BOY FATALLY WOUNDED
BY N Shot from a Guarded Street Car.
Troops Called Out to Preserve Or
der and Protect the Cars-The
Town of Pawtucket Under Martial
Law-The Cars Attacked by the
able Troops On Duty.

Pawtucket, II. l.. June 12.-For the
first time in the history Of the city bay
.onets in the hands of soldiers ordered
press riotous disturbances in the SUI
.burbs glistened in the streets of Paw
tucket today.
The astonishing increase in the num-
Der of lawless acts directed against the
United Traction Company. whose union
men a been on strike since June Ind,
and the inability of the limited force
of police and deputy sheriffs to sup
press rioting, induced Governor Kimbal!
to call out the militia.
Numerous scenes of disorder occurred
during the day n more than a score
of persons wece injured. one fatally.
In the presence of about 1000 persons
and the militia this evening, Adjutant
General Sackett. read the riot act.
The city was taken possession of by
the militia. A provisional regiment was
formed composed of companies from
the First and Second regiments. with
the first battalion of cavalry. The regi-
Iment responded to an emergency call
promulgated by Governor KimbalI and
Brigadier General Herbert S. Tanner
assumed command. In the afternoon
orders were issued calling out the
Third division of the naval reserves
and the machine gun battery.
The first disturbance was at the city
line. Pursuing the custom followed
during the striE e. the United Traction
lCompany's cars were started from the
lPaWtucket avenue car house near the
line, dividing Pawtucket and Provi-
ldence and on one a were a number Of
deputy sheriffs. This car was followed
at intervals by three others.
When the cars reached the junction
of Pawtucket and East avenues, trouble
began. The presence of the deputies on
the cars angered the crowd which had
gathered. and ,. fusillade of stones. tin
leans n other missiles followed. The
cars were badly damaged. The motor
of each car saw that his only
chance was To start the car at full
lspeed and run through the crowd with
out stopping. Each car was assailed
land soon all were stalled at Haymar-
ket square. Then Chief of Police Rice
informed General Tanner that the con-
ditions were such that his force of men
we're ldDlS 10 HdHulC the TlOD, anu lie
sought the aid OF the militia.
a company of the First regiment was
lsentout, and met the cars at Haymar-
ket square. 1t preceded them to East
and Pawtucket venues where the
militia men guarded the cars in front
and rear
Then the street where the trouble had
occurred was picketed off by troop A,
and the troopers maintained peace for
on hour nv D,,rip Or .@l;c ;n{nrx-a
cars were not run. In the meantime
High Sheriff White asked that three
companies of militia be sent to Paw
tucket avenue n this was lone with
Major Johnson in command; but before
this order was carried into effect the
most serious trouble of the day occurr-
led.
A car was started from the Paw
tucket avenue car house On which were
"a score of deputy sheriffs. At Paw
ltucket and East avenues a big crowd
was in waiting n it was prepared tc
give the deputies a warm reception.
Major Maynard had the first battal-
ion of cavalry as a guard to the cars
the troop being divided by platoons, jr
front and rear. The deputy sheriffs
were ordered to keep their revolverS In
their pockets by Major Maynard who
said if there vas to be shooting done
the militia would do It.
Chief of Police Rice was present AND
advised the people to disperse and g
number of the striking conductors ant
lmotormen practically endangered their
own safety by endeavoring to prevail
on the people to leave.
Before the people turned their atten'
ton to the car, hey cheered the troop,
IerS. Immediately after, however. a rair
of stones, brickbats and every conceiv'
able form of missile fell upon the cleo
trio cars. The troopers were hemmet
in by the mob and with great difficulty
succeeded in working their way out
the motorman of the car bravely facing
the mob and getting his a through
but when the turmoil was at its height
fully a dozen shots were fired from tn
lear, through the drawn curtains. all o.
which did no damage save one. which
lodged in the neck of Venner Peterson
aged L, son of John Peterson. of thi,
city. The boy had been carrying dinnel
and was returning home and was at
itracted to the scene. The shot STRUCK
him when he was standing some dis
ltance from the car. The shooting made
Ihe mob wild and only the presence o
the troops prevented the demolition o.
the car and serious injury to some o.
the deputies. Major Sweet, surgeon d
the cavalry, examined the boy and pro
Inounced him fatally hurt. The boy wa:
Irakeo m the emergency hOSDita1 wher.