Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-08
ACTS OF VIOLENCE
From Murder Down to Plain
Assault and Petty Larceny.
Non-Union Men Show LawIessness
Existed During the Strike.
Judge Gray Says what Sort of
Community Is This?7

Philadelphia, Jan. THE non-union
men continue TO occupy the attention
Of the coal strike commission in pre-
senting evidence OF lawlessness in the
anthracite coal region during the strike
The Testimony Included many acts of
violence from murder down to plain as
sallt and petty larceny
Dynamite played a leading pat in the
alleged persecution of non-union men
and their relatives. Five witnesses tes-
titled to their houses being Iaore or less
seriously damaged by persons. some of
whom Tere known, to be union men,
placing the nigh explosives on the prop
erty; other Witnesses told Of 4 Gam be-
ing blown UP, one locomotive damaged
steam pipes in two different collieries
either broken or damaged by dynamite
bridges and fences danaS ed by incen-
diary fires ana attempted WrecIing of
trains. one youth said he was stabbed
several Of the witnesses We're Eoycotted
ard several others told of being beaten
Ey crowds ana CT their houses being
stoned.
Resides this a young woman told the
commission she was dismissed as a
school teacher. because her brother
chose to work during the strike;
younS man testified that he was at
tackled as he was coming out of church
after being married, forcing him to
seek refuge in a coliiery While his bride
got hoGc as best she could, and an
other witness said he WAS afraid 10 at
tend the funeral Of his mother, who had
t'iad while he was working behind
coliery stoclade.
, One witness ted OF having been pun
ished by mob forcing him to walk Is
miles at the head Of a jeering crowd of
strikers. Other testimony was also
presented in the cnGeaVor TO show that
a reign OF terror existed liz the strike
affected territory of the state ana that
members of the union were largely re-
sponsible for it.
! Many questions were asked the Wit
.nesses by the commissioners. Counsel
for the miners attempted to break down
some of the stories but they did not
succeed in shaking their testimony.
The most interesting story OF the day
,vAs that told by Thomas Washaisk OF
! 4a/elton. a clerk for Pardee & Co., who
J was married on the night of Sept. 10,
last He was at work at the colllery
/ ANA his nciGhbors began 10 annoy nm.
! on the night of the wedding n small
I crowd gathered at The Catholic church
| and as the bridal party entered the edl-
/ fec the bridegroom were called "Scap.
coming out, after the ceremony, he was
assaulted by the waiting crowd when
1h,l Greatly increased. The driver OF
tto carriage was not permitted 20 take
I t,a eo,,,le hoire and the witness sought
! ,.of,,eo il, The parcchiAI residence, and
tba bride was escorted nome in a troll
by car bv friends. Later ON, the Wit
ness said. he managed 10 get away
ff,orn tlle ,,owd ana spent the night IN
f,so ,nli.e,y. being afis&d to 90 to ms
llot2c. The bride spent an anxious
! night as some unknown persons came
10 the house and threw stones at the
place. 80
4 An the commissioners listened to the
s,orv Win close attention and Char-
man ,srav's only remark was: w ny
sort of a community is this. anyway!
4 Ctories carl OF Mahonoy city, a
,oade,. boss at the Tunnel Ridge col
lie,v of the Reading Co., tod q pathetic
eta,v He was compelled to remain
,,,itbin .be confines of the colilery De
ea,,se he was afraid to so home. he
learned that his mother was oylhS ana
lf,lsin., . eircuitous route reached the
!rore OF his mother just after shs
passed away. =.
i Ns an instance of the lawlessness az
ono Gallery. David L. Jenkins of Potls-
,;,le . coal and. Iron policeman at TN,
e,;,ya, ,,reek coliiery Of the Reading 90
a, Now Philadelphia. gave list Of acts
AZ violence at or near that mine. IL IN
-, .,.n f,irss of railroad ties alit
strikes on the railroad tracks oEe'
which coal trains run; the turning OF
switch which was discovered just be
fore an express train came aiong'
railroad bridge damaged by dynamit'
ana thep set on fire and the saving Q
fi,,,hers on the bridge after it had beef
: repaired. - %
, rnr,.ev of Scranton. counsel for tn
I Delaware & Hudson Co. Interrupts
: loog enough TO explain TO the commis
s;o,, he law in Pennsylvania regarding