The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-01-24

Trucks, lOCdUeu 0uHuIeu ydTuS HOElu-
east of the palace.
THE FIRST ENCOUNTER.
The news OF the first encounter and
its disastrous result spread like wild
fire to the strikers quarters and was
received by them with wild impreca-
tions and curses. Hurried meetings
were called at half hundred places
at the same time and Socialist speak
ers took command. Everybody in
quired after Father Gapon, but no.
body could give adequate information.
All manners of rumors were in circu-
lation as to his fate Some had him
escaped from prison; others had him
wounded; still others killed. At their
various meetings the strikers deter
mined to carry out their full program,
no matter what the consequences
Their leaders admonished them to
abide by their promise not to carry
arms.
IF you go before the soldiers un-
armed and they shoot you down." they
said, 1T will be
COLD BLooDED MUPNER.''
These were the orders issued by
Gapon Saturday night and during the
forenoon of Sunday his word was still
law
There is a strong suspicion that
nearly every one of these meetings
was attended by police agents in dis
guise. So much is sure, that the auth
critics knew of the meetings and
much of what had transpired during
their progress.
The order early went out to sus-
pend all street car traffic and order all
vehicles off the streets.
Half an hour later only those di-
rectly concerned in the awful struggle
could be seen.
The shutters of houses closed, stores
were being barricaded and despite the
gloom without, the lights went out in
many houses in the darkest streets.
At that time the snow was falling
heavily and an ice cold wind swept
the city.
THE ARMY OF STRIKERS
Shortly after 10 o'clock in the fore
noon and hardly half an hour after
1t had become known that meetings
were in progress, things began to
move in the vicinity of the Vetna
gate, which separates one of the most
thickly populated outlying districts
from the city proper In small compa-
nies, the strikers began to proceed /
towards this gate. BY the time they |
reached it and combined into one |
army, they numbered fully $4,000. |
They passed the gates, where only a
small force of cavalry was stationed
and which made no attempt to check
the onward movement. singing social
ist songs and their leaders waving
flags with various inscriptions. The
strikers then proceeded for fully half
a mile Then they were suddenly
confronted by two sotnias of Cos
sacks, numbering thousand men. The
soldiers were drawn up in five rows,
of about 200 each. blocking the streets
to the right and left.
The officers rode forward and shout
ed the command to the strikers to
disband. The order was
NOT HEEDED.
Thereupon the soldiers advanced,
walking their horses and only deter
mined it seemed, to push the mobs
back. But these pressed forward, a
vast irresistible mass forcing the SOL
diers on the rearing horses to give
way.
No shot had been fired and no whip
had been put into use up to that time.
Then, from out Of the crowd, came a
shrill command:
Drive them into the Neva."
In moment the forward movement
became stronger and it seemed as
though superior numbers alone would
carry the day against the troops.
But the order was given in a loud
voice by the commanding officer to
load with ball cartridges.
In as loud a voice the order was
given to adiutants to call reinforce
ments. Thereupon the
MOB WAVERED
and Immediately the commander at /
the head of the sotnias whipped his {
sword out OF the scabbard and gave {
the order 10 charge.
The horses broke into gallop, the
loaded whips swished through the air :
and the animals ploughed into the
yelling, bowling and cursing throng. Z
Those exposed to the direct on
slaught of the Cossacks broke and ,
their way through the mass Z
behind them to safety, gaining the
open street and seeking safety by run I
ming, falling and sliding down the ,
river bank and then fleeing across the !
Ice of the Neva ,
But those behind. who had not felt 1
the
STING OF THE WHIPS, s
still pressed forward Presently high :