Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-08-22
STRIKE MARTYR
LAID AT REST
Over 5000 People Follow
Remains to Cemetery.
Funeral of Patrick Sharpe
at Lansford the Most I'M
pressive Ever Seen in the
Panther Creek Valley.

Yesterday the citizens OF the Panther
Creek valley and surrounding territory
paid tribute to the memory OF Patrick
Sharpe, the strike leader who was shot
dead at Nesquehoning Monday night,
when they turned out by thousands to
follow his remains to the Catholic ceme-
terry at Summit Hill. 1t was by far the
largest funeral ever held in the region
1t was day OF mourning Many flags
at half-mast were displayed along the
line of march and business was at a
standstill. At an early hour in the
morning the mine workers began pour
ing into the town, every hamlet within
radius of many miles being repre-
sented
When s. 80 o'clock, tho hour set for
the funeral, arrived Ridge street was
surging mass of humanity. A pail ap-
peared to hang over the community and
few spoke above whisper. Tho re-
mains, which were viewed by 10000
people, reposed In a black cloth casket
and were surrounded by floral offerings.
The funeral procession formed for it's
two-mile march to st. Joseph's Catholic
church at Summit Hill shortly before 9.
The Miners Union band, which had
toured large portion OF the state under
the management OF the deceased, led the
procession. The cortege then proceed
ed in the following order:
Rairoaders' Brotherhood, Ancient
Order Of Hibernans, Ladies' Auxiliary
to the Ancient Order of Hibernians,
President Thomas Duffy, OF District 7,
and other labor leaders, twenty four
mine workers carrying the floral offer
ings, hearse drawn by two black horses,
twenty-five carriages with relatives and
1000 women. Next, in solid phalanx,
marching four abreast with military
precision, came nearly 1000 United
Mine Workers and the engineers and
liremen's locals. st. Joseph's church,
Summit Hill, where the services took
place, was crowded to the doors while
thousands were unable to gain admit
tance.
Solemn requiem mass was celebrated
by Rev. Loughln, Rev. McConnon and
Rev. Norton. Following the mass Rev.
McConnon delivered stirring sermon.
Among other things he said You
mine workers who are looking for your
rights, here is one who has shed blood
in your behalf; he was a martyr to the
sacred cause of labor. | have confidence
in the United Mine Workers. The
people Of the United States commend
them for their conduct in this strike.
Now want to say to you observe tho
law. Let no one dare to try to avenge
this martyrs death. Let me say to your
leaders, employ good counsel in this
case. See to it that the guilty party is
punished. Go straight home, cherish
not malice and forgive those who are
prosecuting you"
After the body had been lowered into
its last resting place many of the miners
dropped the piece of spruce they had
worn during the funeral march into the
grave, and the casket was covered by a
blanket of green sprigs.
Wednesday evening a committee of
mine workers visited Major Gearhart,
the commander of the Twelfth regi-
ment, stationed at Manila Park, and
asked him not to send troops into Lans-
ford. They said they had appointed a
"peace committee" of about 200 men to
preserve order and that they felt safe In
saying that there would be no disturb
ance. Major Gearhart said that troops
would not be sent into the town unless
it was shown that the miners and the
local authorities could not preserve
order.
There was no need for them. The
officers who were appointed by the
various locals of the Mine Workers were
on duty along the route OF the funeral