The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-18


 S2 a half dozen or more seriously ss s2 wounded men. ss
 
 The battle at Jefferson yesterday aft ernoon, from authentic descriptions brought to Birmingham, would make a picture worth painting.
 A train loaded with men blazing forth voley after volley from Winchester rifles; the hills on each side and the slope above the tunnel in front literally swarm ing with armed men, constantly firing from behind rocks and trees, were the picturesque and overlapping circum- stances.
 1000 Shots Fired.
 More than 1000 shots were fired during the skirmish. The deputies, who were heavily armed had exhausted their ammu- milton, and the hills were still abaze with firing when the engine pulled out through the tunnel and sped away to Blossburg, The history of the difficulty begins early yesterday morning Deputy Courson left Jasper on a special train carrying strike breakers and other deputies. On arrival at Adamsville they were met by large crowd of some 700 men, who are said to have attempted to entice the strike-break- CTS to join their ranks.
 It is stated that twice a negro in the crowd raised his gun, preparing to lire. As many times the deputies drew bead on him, and but the snapping of trigger would have resulted in fight.
 Four Prisoners Taken.
 However, the men were delivered at the mines. The train made loop back to Birmingham and out again toward Bloss- burg. Jefferson is only junction where a branch line runs out to Blossburg and the main line goes through tunnel. The mountain surrounds 1t on all sides.
 On the first trip in the morning Courson found the miners holding a meeting in the tunnel and threatening crowd on every side However, the trip was safe- ly made and returning to Birmingham the train started out with another load of deputies at noon.
 On this train were George Courson, Maj s. D. Dodge of Ensley and 16 deputies including Charles Gardner Just beyond Pratt City the train was rocked and the deputies, jumping off, fired several times. captured four prisoners, and after short delay proceeded toward Blossburg with their prisoners.
 Before their arrival at Jefferson, party of strike breakers located there, be- coming frightened by the threats, pre- pared to board the train. The engine after stopping a few moments prepared to pull out.
 Gardener Fatally Shot.
 Just as MT. Gardner was swinging up the step a gun was fired from the switch tower it is believed, burying 1S shot in his back, neck and head. He was car ried to the train for dead, and the battle began.
 For some 15 minutes the firing contin- ued. The deputies believe they shot four men, and are not certain about others.
 The "sympathizers,' who were on the hill, overshot their mark, and, although the windows were shattered and the car peppered with shot, none of the depu- ties was injured, but Major Dodge re- ceived a slight wound in his face.
 Finally, when all the ammunition was out, the engine started toward the tun- nel but found a switch thrown wrong. This caused another delay, but the train crew managed to get away toward Bloss- burg without additional peril.
 This was the fam violence of the day It is believed that 1t was begun by Q negro. No reports have been forthcom- ing from Jefferson, and the condition of the wounded cannot be learned. Deputy Gardner was brought to Birmingham over the Frisco from Adamsvile and taken to St. Vincent's hospital at 8 o'clock last night. While he has never spoken, there is some hope of his living. The deputy who accompanied him gives a graphic description of the fight
 While there were no other serious dis turbances yesterday several houses were dynamited in Pratt City Thursday night, and a fight occurred at Lewisburg yes- terday morning, when the tools carried bv brick masons on their way to work were snatched from their hands and they themselves were roughly treated
 However after the visit of the Gov ernor the western mines have quieted down. and late reports are to the effect that no further disorders are expected.