The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1903-08-14
FIERCE PITCHED BATTLE
WITH SHOT GUNS AND REvOLAERS

A bloody and fatal pitched battle with
reTolvcrs, shot guns ana knives occurred
at Oneil coal mine, No.s2, west of VIII
eonbarg. at $3.50 o'clock Monday after
noon between American and Italian en-
ployes Of the Clnrksburg Fuel company,
OF this city, The immediate scene of
the affair WIS at the wheel house near
the opening Of the mine, and the top of
the incline. The wheel house is situated
against hill side half mile up beef
rum, q fributary of Limestone creek, with
long row OF miners cottages above
It and . few houses in the valley below,
an in proximity to the place where the
shooting and fighting occurred. The
scene was one of the widest and most
blood curdiing 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 will fall victim to the
deabh-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 murderous frenzy, arising
from lack of control of the passion is
clearly shown.
To be avenged over an insult seems
to have been the only motive that
prompted the action of those who
brought on the awful conflict that
brought death and desolation. The fail
ure to comprehend the deep sensitive ma
ture of foreigners, for which that ma
tionality is noted, and the lack of in
telligible communication between the
two nationalities engaged in the trouble
were disastrous factors and TO these are
due largely the naturalization of an in
cident horrifying to all who witnessed it,
as well rs to those who engaged in it.
As usual in such affffrays, the guilty
party or parties or the one who insti-
1ated the trouble was not the one to suf-
Ter most and has not yet fallen victim,
70 the deadly warfare he brought on,
but one who would have waived a flag
Of truce, if he had had the opportunity,
has surrendered mortal being. The in
stigator, however, lies in a 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 after
it got under some Roadway there seemed
no way to avert the awful consequence
of the embittered clash.
Lewis Shapano, an Italian. had been
in the mine working. When lie came out
he was on the front of the car. Edward
Radey. an American. who was acting ms
catcher, requested him to get back in ;iie
middle of the car. as there was danger OF
of its going over the incline. The Ital-
ian resented this by cursing Radey and
calling him foul names. Radcy slapped
him at first and then he knocked him
down.
Shapano went down the incline toward
his home near the store, a half mile OF
more away, muttering vengeance. He
pocketed revolver and with three 9th
ers went back to the wheel house, where
John Freeman. the wheclman. Clyde Row
and, Clay Swiger and Edward RAIDER
catcher, were engaged in putting a de-
rallied car on the track. Among the squad
OF Italians who accompanied Shapano
was Lewis Cortese, who now lies dead
ut the Clifford Osborn undertaking estab-
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 ran to various
houses IN the neighborhood and, securing
shot guns, returned to their work. The
Italians resumed firing and the Americans
returned the fusillade. It was then the
battle began In deadly earnest and with
deadly effect. When the smoke of The
battle cleared away, Lewis ccrtese Ia,
dead in briar patch alongside the road
BE staggered twenty feet before he fel
and then expired instantly. A load from
one Of the shot guns had been cmptied
into the left side of his body from the
arm pit almost to the ankle. The shot
penetrated tne body.
Lewis Shapano, who was the instigatct
Of the iight, was badly wounded. HI
was shot IN the left wrist and leg, and
4 dangerous wound was received ON ths
left side, which It Is believed, was In.
7liisted by one Of the Americans with q
lead pipe, when they were being 80 close
II pursued by the ftsasEas. In an prob
ssity he win die.
ynother man 70 be wounded was Tcney
Faser. who was standing In the door d
his home with a baby IN his arms. Stray
shots struck aim on the side.of the fore.
hsiS and the right arm. hut fortunately