The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-08-11

A bloody and fatal pitched battle with
revolvers, shot guns and knives occurred
at oneil coal mine, No. 2, west of vii,
sonburg, at 1880 o'clock Monday after
noon between American and italian EN-
ployes of the ChrISsburg Fuel company.
Of this city. The immediate scene OF
the affair was at the wheel house neal
the opening of the mine, and the top OF
the incline The wheel house is situated
against a hill side a half mile up beef
run, tributary OF Limestone creek, with
long row of miners cottages above
all in proximity to the place where the
shooting and fighting occurred. The
scene was one of the widest and most
blood curdling in the annals of the county
and it is miraculous that no more than
one passed from mortal life to eternity.
The affair, however, is deplorable enough
and it is well that only one lies dead in
stead of dozen, although there are grave
fears that another viii fail victim to the
death-dealing lead
A great amount of hot blood must
have flowed from what can be learned of
the circumstances, and that it was the
result of a murderous frenzy, arising
from lack of control of the passion is
clearly shown.
To be avenged over an insult seems
prompted the action of those who
brought on the awful conflict that
brought death and deselation. The fail
ure to comprehend the deep sensitive ma
tiIre of foreigners, for which that ma
tionality is noted, and the lack of in
tciligible communicat tion between the
two nationalities engaged in the trouble
were disastrous fuctors and to these are
due largely the naturalization of an in
cident horrifying to an who witnessed it.
as well rs to those who engaged in it.
As usual in such afffrays, the guilty
party or parties or the one who insti-
gated the trouble was not the one to suf-
fer most and has not yet fallen n victim
to the deadly warfare he brought on,
but one who would have waived flag
of truce, if he had had the opportunity,
has surrendered mortal being. The in
stigator, however, lies in critical con
dition and may not survive his injuries
Two others are physical sufferers from
the battle, while others are in mental
anguish.
The origin of the trouble is really in
significant, as is often the case, but nfter
ii got under some Roadway there seemed
no way TO avert the awful consequences
of the embittered clash.
Lewis Shapano, an italian, had been
in the mine working. When he came out
he wars on the front of the car. Edward
Radey, an American, who was acting as
catcher. requested him to get back in the
middle of the car, as there was danger OF
of its going over the incline. The Ital-
ian resented this by cursing Rndey and
calling him foul names. Radey slapped
him Mt first and then he knocked him
down.
Shapano went down the incline toward
his home near the store, half mile or
more away, muttering vengeance. He
pocketed a revolver and with three 9th
ers went back to the wheel house, whore
John Freeman, the wheelman, Clyde Row
and, Clay Swigcr and Edward RAIDER
catcher. were engaged in putting de-
rallied car on the track. Among the squad
of Italians who accompanied Shapano,
was Lewis Cortese, who now lies dead.
at the Clifford. Osborn undertaking cstab-
lishment in this city,
The foreigners began shooting at the
Americans as soon as they hove in sight
and several shots were fired in quick sue
cession. The Americans gun to various
houses in the neighborhood and, securing
shot guns, returned to their work. The
Italians resumed firing and the Americans
returned the fusilladc. 1T was then the
battle began in deadly earnest and with
deadly effect. Whom the smoke Of the
battle cleared away, Lewis cortese lay
dead in a briar patch alongside the road.
he staggered twenty feet before he fell