Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-18
UNION MEN STOP
TRAINS; II SHOT
IN FAST BATTLE.
ALABAMA MINERS CLASH WITH
STRIKE BREAKERS
1000 SHOTS EXCHANGED IN FATAL
CONFLICT
Thirteen Deputies Engage In Melee
with Adamsville Men-One Mor-
tally Wounded-Troops
Called Out


BIRMINGHAM, Ala, July
17.-Robert Gardner, a deputy
sheriff, was fatally wounded and
at least dozen miners were more
or less seriously hurt as the result
of an attack on train bearing
strike breakers to take the places
of striking union miners at Jeffer-
son, near here, today.
The train was in charge of
thirteen deputies and was en-
route to Adamsville. 1t is said
the union miners attempted to in
duce the strike breakers to leave
the train and threatened to kill
them if they went to work. Gov
ernor Conner has ordered a COM
pany of cavalry from Montgom-
cry to the scene and troops al
ready on the ground are under
arms and will patrol the district
Deputy Gardner. mortally wounded,
was brought to Birmingham tonight.
Deputy George Smith, accompanying
shots were fired by both sides in the at
tack.
According to Smith the engagement
was opened when a train bearing fifty
strike breakers attempted to leave JEFF
ferson for Adamsville.
Prior to this a number of union
miners had made overtures to the
strikebreakers to join their ranks.
threatening at the same time to kill
them in case they should attempt to
work the mines. In this emergency
deputies attempted to have the train
run out of jefferson under fire, if
necessary. An open switch, however.
brought the engine to a stop and in
this predicament the deputies and
strikebreakers were fired upon.
Train Is RiddIed
Bullets riddled the train and that
many more were not injured and killed
is due to the fact that they fell to the
floor and remained there.
Thirteen deputies returned the fire
and they declare at least a dozen of
the miners were either killed or seri-
ously wounded. At this juncture Card
ner fell mortally wounded.
The engagement was brought to an
end when the engine having been re-
paired, was enabled to make headway.
At o'clock tonight everything on
the outskirts was comparatively peace
full, the military having reached Ad-
amsville, the reports from which place
were greatly exaggerated. There was a
sharp brush at AdamsvilIe this after
noon, three strike sympathizers being
wounded and thirteen arrested. The
soldiers are encamped there tonight.
Troops Under Sheriff
Governor Conner has placed the
troops of the state in the hands of
Sheriff Higdon and he will order out as
many men as deemed necessary.
The union miners are taking the po-
sition that they are mistreated by the
deputy sheriffs. There are about 200
of these officers scattered through the
mining territory and union leaders have
implored Sheriff Higdon to protect
them from the cruelties, as they claim.
of the deputies.
William Farley, member of the ma
tional committee of the union, ex-
pressed delight tonight when he learned
that Governor Conner had called out
the troops.
Tonight a report was received at the
sheriff's office that a pitched battia
had occurred at Blossburg and hat
numerous men had been killed 0g
wounded.
Guards May Be Relieved
State troops will soon be EN- r1qte
to that place, and If the guards, Q is
reported, are in distress, they will
soon be relieved.
The news of the strike has been
greatly exaggerated. A number of Of
fenses have been reported in the dis
trict today.
The home of William Stafford. a ne
gro, was dynamited at Pratt City and
partially wrecked.
Z 4.f
by the sheriff says that two negroes
houses were blown up and one Of the
inmates seriously injured.
From Republic comes a report to the
effect that three negroes were taken
from their beds last night, stripped of
their clothing and cruelty beaten by a
body of men.