Milford chronicle., 1906-05-04
STATE POLICE
FIRE ON MOB
Stoned by Idle Mine Workers at Mt
Carmel Were Forced to Shoot.
TWENTY HURT; THREE FATALLY

serious collision between 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 1 occurred
here, and resulted in the injuring of
probably 20 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 incensed at the presence
of the constables. They threw stones
at the policemen and otherwise 'endan-
gered their lives to such an extent
that they were forced to 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
1t became known that mine workers
had been shot down, but the affected
territory is comparatively quiet
While Ii is believed that a score OF
persons were injured only 10 are ac-
counted for. They are: Louis Wilson,
shot through the body will die; Reddy
NIiserevich, shot in the stomach, will
die: Stanislaus Watskoslki. shot in the
groin. will die; Matthew Matsuak, Bar
ker Shapar, Martin Suntelius, Martin
Yulucki. Stamy RoEOsky, Peter Shib-
Iinh and R. H. 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 a
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 to
the state eonstabulary 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 to, the dining room girls
refused to serve them, and they re-
ceived the same treatment at 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 to
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 bolder ones in the crowd began /
to stir up trouble. The crowd closed in
upon the state police and began throw
ing stones. The troopers charged the
mob and scattered it, but not before
several men were hurt, including
trooper. Lieutenant Smith drew his
men into line and threatened to shoot
if the mob renewed the attack. In the
meantime, local leaders of the mine
circulated through the crowd
and ordered the infuriated foreigners
to 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 start
ed 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
lrday night
Fired Three NoIleys.
Some of the mob persisted in follow
ng the troopers, and as they were
passing the residence of DR.. J. D. Keef-
sr, on Hickory street, some one threw
/ stone at them, which was followed
)y shower of others. Lieutenant
Smith wheeled his men about and gave
he order to fire. The number of shots
ired is not known, but it is said the
roopers sent three volleys into the
mob before it broke and ran. Half a
lozen men were left lying on the
sround, and they were later picked up
W persons who were not in the crowd.
The troopers did. not pursue the crowd,
tut continued on their way to the
;ayre colliery. From that place Lieu
enant Smith communicated with state
'olice headquarters at Pottsville, and
yord Immediately came back to hold
Ifs ground until reinforcements arriv-
d. In the meantime local constables,
N behalf of the mine workers, ar
ested Lieutenant Smith on the charge
f assault and battery with intent to
I'LL. He was held in $500 bail, which
vas furnished. Three foreigners were
lso held on the same charge.