The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-09
A Lutheran Minister Testifes
Before Strike Commission.
Tells of Conducting Funeral of
Non Union Man.
PALLBEARERS SCARCE.
Found 1t Difficult to Get Body
to the Grave.
Strikers Yelled ssScab'' and Of
fered Other Indignities.

Philadelphia, Jan. 9.-Chairman Cray
was unable to attend today's session OF
the strike commission because of q
slight illness and in his absence Briga-
der General Wilson 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 invariably became their bonds
men.
Lawrence Jenkins. of Parsons. a
deputy sheriff in Luzerne county dur
ing the strike, was recalled. He told
of many instances where he and other
deputy sheriffs were sent to different
parts Of the county to quell disturb
ances. He said a state of lawlessness
existed.
The cross examination developed
nothing new
Rev. Carl Hauser. a Lutheran Slovak
minister of Freeland, said 7Taen he was
called upon to oficiate at the funeral of a
non-union man in the Panther Creek val
ley he experienced the greatest difficult
ty in securing pallbearers- When the
body was taken from the house Rev. Hau-
ser said the strikers yelled scab' and
spat upon the coffin. Some Of them made
q .scab.' Throw him to the dogs
John Harvilla, of Jeddo, employed by
Coke Brothers during the strike SaiQ
he was attacked by strikers and had
an eye shot out. He was unable to rec
ognize his assailants.
Max Keisleht. another employe or
Coke Brothers. also told of having oeFu
assaulted. Counsel for the nonunlon
men then called John Mitchell 70 Lne
stand and asked him if he knew Wilt
lam Dettrey, who was yesterday elected
president OF the union in the Seventh
district Mitchell replied in the af1irrTlar
tive and then counsel called John snef-
man, of NeurembOrg, Detteryis home
town Sherman testified that he heard
Detterey say that anybody who work
ed during the strike ought to have his
throat cut.
/ Frank Kelly, of Oneida. a fireman,
who worked during the strike, said he
/ heard Dettery say that all men caught
4 working should be given 8 good
humping" This remark was made at
a meeting of a local union, he said.
Brigadier General Goblin, commander
of the Third brigade, N. 6. P, who was
in command in the anthracite regions
! during the strike. was next called. he
I 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 to tne
/ camp He was forced to send to au~
told in detail Of the condition of affairs
in the coal region during his stay there
and of the stOning of his troops, insults
to his men, frequent cases of dynamite
ing and other acts of lawlessness. he
said the sheriff of Carbon county re-
fused to call on the governor for troopss
Counsel for the miners took exception
to this statement and Mr.. Darrow re-
4 ferred to the general as a wise and
great man." This nettled General Goblin
and he said he had been invited TO
testify by the strike commission, and il
/ the gentleman from Chicago refers to
me again as he has just done I VIII re-
fuse to answer any of his questions on
/ cross examination
Mr.. Darrow disclaimed any intention
| of being disrespectful. The general said
he had been asked by the coal coua-
panies to protect non-union men, but ne
I refused because he had not suf7cient
troops He said the situation was msst
serious. He feared the railroad men
would be intimidated and he would be
unable to move troops. Threatening let
ters were also sent to him.