The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1908-11-26
SIX SHOT DOWN BY
OFFICERS Of LAW
Tragic Outcome of Rioting of
Strikers of Factory at
KeaSbey, n. J.
DEPUTIES OPEN FIRE ON
MEN AT CLOSE RANGE
National Guard Rushed TO the
Scene, and Streets Are Pa
trolled by Soldiers.

PERTH AMBOY, n. j., Nov. 25.--
Following pitched battle between 700
strikers and twelve deputies today at
the factory Of The National Fireproof-
ing company at Kcasboy, near here, IN
which six of the strikers wcro shot
down, Gov. j. Franklin Fort dispatched
four companies OF tho state national
guard at Trenton 20 the scene, and to-
night the streets are patrolled by go
soldiers.
A feeling of intense excitement pre-
walls. as the strikers declare the deputy
shcriffs wero not justified in firing upon
them. Two of the wounded men are
diving in the hospital and four others
are painfully hurt. The citizens fear
for the morrow, when renewal oil
the attack on the plant Of tho National
Fireproo6ng company 's threatened
Continued Riottng.
For Two days there has been rioting
at Keasbey and Il number of towns
along the Raritsn river. Two weeks
ago the men employed by the company
went on strike for higher wages. They
marched TO the plant Of the Perth Am,
boy Fire Brick company and induced
the men thero to go out, On each sue
cceding day the mon increased IN num-
bers and marched TO towns TO induce
employees to leave their work. The
strikers, nearly all of whom arc for
eigners, say that they were given TO
understand before election that if Taft
were elected their pay would be re-
stored to Sl,50 a day. IT now is Sl;3O.
The officials OF tho factories deny that
such promise was made. Yesterday
several hundred strikers appeared on
the streets hourishing revolvers, and
when the deputy sheriffs endeavored to
disperse the gathering they were met
with a fusillade Of stones. They, con-
tinued to advance, however, and the
strikers retreated.
Americans Attacked.
A number of American workmen
have remained on duty at the hreproot-
foreigners as they were leaving the
factory last night and today. Deputy
sherifts were put on guard. Early to.
day mob of strikers gathered around
the factory. The foreigners were
armed with heavy iron pipes, pitch
forks, clubs, stones, and some of them
showed revolvers, the police say. Cher
of Police Burke was IN charge OF the
deputies stationed in the office of the
company.
Nothing of consequence happened
until Burke sent man to bring lunch
10 the deputies. When the messenger
appeared at the door he was met by
shower of stones which compelled him
to retreat The man succeeded later
in leaving the factory unobserved and
secured the food. AS he was return.
ing some of the strikers caught sight
of him. and Immediately there was
general attack, but by good fortune he
regained the factory without being in
iured Then began Il bombardment of
stones. Chief Burke says that two of
strained his men from opening fire
until the last minute, he declares.
Men Are Shot Down
According to,the chief, the strikers
swarmcd to the door and many of them
climbed the fence surrounding the
building. Matters had become so seri-
ous that the deputies were compelled
to open fire to protect themselves. Chief
Burke is authority for the statement
that there were only two revolvers in
possession OF the deputies. This is
disputed by the strikers.
At least dozen shots were fred
point blank at the strikers, and six
men fell. So far as is known, the
strikers did not return the fire. Upon
seeinr their companions fall, thc work
men turned and fed, leaving the
wounded on the ground. Chief Burke
had the injured men carried to a place
Of safety and later they were removed
to the hospital here.
There was only lull in the rioting.
The strikers soon returned to the fac
tory. They kept at distance, but it
was evident that they were angered
by the shooting down of their COM
rolns