Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-09
SPAT ON THE COFFIN
Atrocity Committed by Strik-
ing Miners.
TESTIMONY OF PRIEST
FAMILY OF DEAD NoN-UNIoN
MAN INSULTED.
More Evidence Regarding the Out
lawry in Mining Regions Dur
ing the Strike.

PHILADELPHIA. January 9.-Chairman
Gray was unable TO attend today's session
of the strike commission because of a slight
illness, and in his absence Brig. Gen. Will
son acted as chairman.
Counsel for the non-union men opened
the proceedings by presenting the indict-
ments and pleas of guilty of certain union
men for acts of lawlessness and showed
that members Of the miners union invari-
ably became their bondsmen.
Lawrence Jenkins of Parsons a deputy
sheriff in I1uzerne county during the strike,
was called. He told of many instances
where he and other deputy sheriffs were
sent to different parts of the county to
Quell disturbances. He said a state Of law
lessness existed.
Had an Eye Shot Out.
John Harvilla of Jeddo employed by Coke
Brothers, during the strike, said he was at
tackled by strikers and had eye shot out.
He was unable to recognize his assaiant.
Max Kiesleth. another employe of Coke
Brothers. also told of having been assault
ed. Counsel for the non-union men then
called John Mitchell to the stand and asked
him if he knew William Dettrey, who was
yesterday elected president of the nnion in
the seventh district. Mitchell replied In the
affirmative and then counsel called John
Sherman Of Nuremberg. Dcttreys home
town. Sherman testified that he heard Det-
trey say that anybody who worked during
the strike ought to have their throats cut.
Frank Kelley of Oneida. foreman who
worked during the strike, said he heard
Dettrey say that all men caught working
should be given good humping" This
remark was made at meeting OF local
union, he said.
The cross-examination developed nothing
new.
Rev. Carl Hauser. a Lutheran Slovak
,f,,;-t af h.a
called upon to ofiiciate at the funeral OF a
non-union man in the Panther Creek val
ley, he experienced the greatest difficulty
in securing pallbearers.
When the body was taken from the house
Rev Heuser said the strikers yelled Sclb
and spat upon the coffin. Some of them
made such remarks as IT'S a shame 20
bury 'scab;' throw him to the dogs
Gen. Goblin on the Stand.
Brig. Gen. Goblin. commander of the Sd
Brigade N. G. P, who was in command in
the anthracite regions during the strike.
was next called. He told of the call for
troops on July 80 when a riot occurred at
Shenandoah. When the troops reached the
scene of the trouble it was impossible to
secure vehicles to haul the supplies from
the camp.
He was forced to send to another town for
a conveyance. He then told in detail Of the
condition Of affairs in the coal region dur
ing his stay there: of the stoning of his
troops insults to his men, frequent cases
Of dynamiting and other acts of lawless-
ness He said the sheriff Of Carbon county
refused to call on the governor for troops
Counsel for the miners took exception to
this statement, and Mr.. Darrow referred to
the general as wise and great man..
This nettIed General Goblin, and he said
he had been invited to testify by the strike
commission and If the gentleman from
Chicago refers to me again as he has just
DONE L will refuse to answer any of his
questions croSS-eXamnation.
Mr.. Darrow disclaimed any intention OF
being disrespectful The general said he
had been asked by the coal companies to
protect nom union men, but he refused be-
cause he had not sufficient troops He said
the situation was most serious. He feared
the railroad men would be intimdated and
he would be unable to move troops. Threat
ening letters were also sent to him.
A recess was taken at this point.