New-York tribune., 1906-05-01
POLICE SHOOT MINERS.
RIOT IN COAL FIELDS.
Mob Stones COmstabulary II Some
Twenty Injured-Three May Die.

TreRty lnJWred-Ihree IGy Die.
Mount Carmel Penn. April SO.-The frst serf.
ous collision in the anthracite coal regions since
mining was suspended April occurred here "a.
aav between a mob OF idle mine workers end q
platoon Of the new state constabulary force and
resulted in the injuring OF some twenty men
Three Of them will probably die.
The disturbance was caused by an attack on a
detail Of the state police by several hundred for
eigners. who became incensed at the presence OF
che constables. They threw stones at the police
men and otherwise endangered their lives to
rrch an extent that they were forced to fire en-
the crowd, which had swelled into thousands.
The riot caused the greatest excitement I'm the
many mining villages OF the Southern coal fields
vEhen It became known that mine workers had
teen shot down. Tonight. however, the affected
territory is comparatively quiet
While II is believed that score of persons
were injured during the day. only ten are se-
oourted for The three who it is thought viii
dIe are Louis Wilson, shot through the body;
2. Miserevitch, shot in the stomach, and Stanis-
Ior,s Watakosh, shot in the groin. Wilson was
shot while standing In front Oe his home block
from the scene OF the conflict, RI H Gibson, a
TROOPER, was struck on the head with rock ana
seriously hurt.
TO-days ARRAY is the result Of attacks on nom
union men at various times last week. The at
tscks became so numerous that Sheriff Sharp
less. OF Northumberland County, appealed 20 the
state constabulary for help. In accordance with
orders from Captain John @. GroOme. the SUPER
sutendent Of the state police Troop G. which
was marching from Reading TO Hasleton, was
divided, and Ealf OF the men, under Lieutenant
Smith, were sent TO Mount Carmel. arriving there
this morning.
After looking TO their mounts. the troopers
started out to get breakfast, and immediately
nan into trouble from unexpected source At
the first hotel they went to- the dining room
girls refused 10 serve thems and they received
the same treatment at two other places. In
mos, OF the small mining towns the help about
hotels and other places are related 20 mine work
ers or in sympathy with them, and during strike
fines they do all they can 20 help the workers.
The presence Of the troopers in the main
street Of the town caused crowd OF mine work
ers TO gather about them, and the bolder ones
IN the crowd began TO stir up trouble. The
crowd closed In on the state police and began
throwing stones. The troopers charged the mob
and scattered it. but not before several men
we're hurt, including a trooper. Lieutenant
Smith drew his men into line and threatened
TO shoot if the mob renewed the attack
In the mean time local leaders Of the mine
dered the infuriated foreigners 20 disperse and
keep The peace. The chief burgess. who is
member Of the miners union. addressed the
crowd from a window and advised them to go
home This action had considerable effect and
the detail OF troopers started for the Sayre Col
Hery Of the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, on
the outskirts OF Mount Carmel, where non-union
men had been attacked by foreigners on Satur-
day night.
Some Of the mob persisted in following the
troopers and some one threw a stone at them,
which followed by q shower Of others.
Lieutenant Smith wheeled his men about, gave
the order to fire, and it is said sent three vol
leys into the mob before it broke and ran. Half
dozen men were left lying on the ground, and
they were later picked UP and cared for.
The troopers did not pursue the crowd, but
continued their way 20 the Sayre colIiery
From that place Lieut~7ant Smith communi-
Gated with State Police Headquarters at Potts
vile, and word Immediately came back to hold
his ground until rein6orcements arrived
In the mean time local constables, on behalf
Of the mine workers, arrested Lieutenant Smith
on the charge of assault and battery with in-
tent 10 kill he was held in $500 bail which
was furnished. Three foreigners were also held
on the same charge The troopers encamped
tonight at Stuartsville, near the sayre colliery.
Sheriff Sharpless and the borough authorities
We're busy tonight advising the foreigners,
through interpreters, 20 keep away from the
camp Of the troopers. The mine workers lead
ers are also counselling peace and greatly regret
the disturbance Of the day.
No one has ventured near the sayre colliery
since Lieutenant Smith and his men went into
camp near there. and It is the general opinion
that there viii be no further trouble.
During the shooting the residence Of Dr. ]. D.
Keefer in Hickory street was riddled with bull
lets several inmates having narrow escapes.
The home Of Sol Goldsmith was also riddled, his
wife being seriously wounded
J. NJ Humphrey. general superintendent OF
the Lehgh Valley Coal Company, was in the
Commercial Hotel during the shooting and
mained there for some time for fear OF being at
lacked Re finally made his way safely to his
home IN Centralia