Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-05-05
STATE POLICE
FIRE ON MOB
stOned by Idle Mine Workers at Mt
Carmel Were Forced to Shoot
TWENTY HURT; THREE FATALLY

Mt Carmel. Pa. May 1.-The FIRST
serious collision between a mob OF
idle mine workers and a platoon OF
the new state constabulary force since
mining In the anthracite coal region
was suspended on April occurred
here. and resulted in the iniuring Of
probably 90 men. three of whom will
likely die. The disturbance was caus-
ed by an attack on detail OF the state
police by several hundred foreigners.
who became inceusod al the presence
Of the constables. They threw stones
az the policemen and Otherwise endan-
Eered their lives 90 such an extent
that they were forced 20 fire on the
crowd which had swelled into thous-
ands. The riot caused the greatest
excitement in the many mining vii
lagos of the southern coal fields when
a. became known that mine workers
had been shot down. but the affected
territory Is comparatively quiet
While 10 Is believed that a score or
persons were injured only 10 are &C
counted for. They are: Louis Wilson.
shot through the body will die; Reddy
Niiserevich. shot in the stomach, will
die; Stanislaus Watskoski. shot In the
groin. will die; Matthew Matsuak. Bar
ker Shapar Martin Suntelius. Martin
Yuluch. Stamy Rokosky, Peter Shib-
linld and r. II. Gibson, a trooper.
Shot Standing In Front Of Home.
Wilson was shot while standing in
front of his home a block from the
scene OF the conflict Gibson. the
trooper. was struck on the head with
rock and seriously hurt. Exclusive OF
the three men fatally injured. the
mine workers were shot in the legs
and arms.
The affair is the result OF an attack
upon non-union men made at various
times last week The attacks became
so numerous that Sheriff Sharpless, Of
Northumberland county, appealed 20
the state constabulary for help. In
accordance with orders from Captain
John c. GrOome. the superintendent Of
the state police, troop c. which was
marching from Reading to Hazleton.
was divided. and half of the men under
Lieutenant Smith were sent TO Mt
Carmel.
After looking to their mounts. the
troopers started out TO get breakfast
and Immediately ran into trouble from
an unexpected source. At the first hotel
they went 10. the dining room girls
refused 10 serve them. and they re-
ceived the same treatment az two other
places. In most OF the small mining
towns the help about hotels and other
places are related TO mine workers or
in sympathy with them. and during
strike times they do all they can 20
help the workers.
The presence of the troopers on the
main street OF the town caused a crowd
of mine workers TO gather about them.
and the holder ones in the crowd began
to stir Up tro~hic The crowd closed in
upon the tate police and began throw
Ing stones. The troopers charged the
mob ard scattered II. but not before
several men were hurt. including a
trooper. Lieutenant Smith drew his
men into line and threatened TO shoot
II the mob renewed he attack. In the
meantime, local ieaCars of the mine
wor'ers circulated through the crowd
anC ordered the infpriated foreigners
10 disperse and keep the peace. The
cnisf burgess. who is a member of the
rlir ers' union. addressed the crowd
from a window. and advised them to
go home. This action had considerable
effect. and the detail OF troopers start
cd for the Sayre colliery Of the Lehigh
Valley Coal company on the outskirts
Of Mt. Carmel. where nOn-union men
had been attacked by foreigners Sat
urday night
Fired Three VoIIeys.
Some OF the mob persisted in follow
ing the troopers. and as they were
passing the residence of DR.. ]. ID. Keef-
or, on Hickory street, some one threw
stone at them. which was followed
by a shower OF others. Lieutenant
Smith wheeled his men about and gave
the order TO fire. The number OF shots
nred is not known. but IL is said the
troopers sent three volleys into the
mob before IL broke and ran. HAL a
dozen men were left lying on the