The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-21
An ITALIAN RIOT
D|STURBS TOWN
DURING NIGHT
Sheriff and Posse Summoned
To Williamsburg, Because
Foreigners and Foreman
Could Not Agree.
SHOTS WERE FIRED AND
CAMP CARS WRECKED.
VoWnspeopIe Became Alarmed
At Appearances and Sum-
moned Sheriff, Whose AS
sistants Carried Arsenal.
SEVENTEEN MEN ARRESTED
BROUGHT TO THIS CITY AND
PLACED IN JAIL TO AWAIT
CHARGE OF RIoTING, WHEN
NAMES ARE LEARNED.
TROUBLE OVER WAGES.
The Strikers Were Anqered When
Refused Transportation, and Then
Threatened the Lives of Boss and
Assistants.
BROUGHT TO THIS CITY AND
PLACED IN JAIL TO AWAIT
CHARGE OF RIoTING, WHEN
NAMES ARE LEARNED.
TROUBLE OVER WAGES.
Tho Strikers Were Angered When
Refused Transportation, and Then
Threatened the Lives of Boss and
Assistants.
(1y Staff Correspondent

italians are on warpath, shooting
revolvers and threatening to burn box
cars and station. Come"
1t was in answer to such a message
that Sheriff Meredith and a posse of
deputy sheriffs and members of the To-
cal police department fastened to
Williamsburg last evening at about 3
O'Clock. The posse went in a special
train over the G. G.. & L. railroad. In
two automobile followed Supt Bailey,
of the local newspapers. Williams
burg was declared over the telephone
and telegraph wires to be in the hands
of mob and the existence of the town
had been threatened. The Italian la
borers who had caused the confusion,
had about exhausted their resources
when the sheriff and his force arrived.
Seventeen of their number were placed
on the train and brought to this city.
They were placed in the county Jail
and will be charged with melting a
riot as soon as the prosecutor is able
to secure the names of the foreigners.
Knives were flashed; revolvers dis
charged and repeated threats made to
fire the box cars in which they made
their homes, and also destroy all rail-
road property, as demonstration
upon the part of the dagoes, because
of disagreement with their foreman,
James Dye in regard to wages and his
refusal to give discharged men trans
portation. Residents of the town be-
came alarmed and the male portion of
the population hurried to the camp
armed with fire arms, after instruct
ing the women of the village to re-
main within doors and the proper
course to pursue in case the town was
attacked. The precautionary arrange
ments were never put iato execution
however. as the section men became as
meek as lambs when the sheriff and
posse arrived with their riot guns. Be-
fore being brought to this city, the
Italians were permitted to collect their
personal belongings and today the jGil
is crowded with an accumulation OF
more or less mostly lessl value.
Lives Were Threatened.
The foreigners became enraged al
the attitude of their foreman and his
assistants and made threats to take
their lives. because of the treatment OF
some of their fellow workers. The
claim is advanced that the foreman
has been overcharging for provisions
and bunk hire. and that he has no,
treated them fairly. The gang is the
same as formerly camped north Of
this city and of whicn Rrigo the mar
wounded by Lapaylia in fight las
Saturday night are members.
The gang has been in charge OF
James Dye. foreman, Michael Carusso
assistant foreman and Harry Wolfe
time keeper According to the stories
of these men two of tn, gang qui
work last Tuesday and when Carusss
who is an Italian and acts as inter
prefer as we'll as assistant, asked
what was the matter refused to give
any reason, aside from the fact tha
they were dissatisfied. The two were
given their time check. but were re
fused transportation, as they had uui
of their own accord and not been dis
charged. They left and claimed the,
were going to Richmond to consult al
attorney. They came to this city an,
accumulated heavy load of intoxi
cants SO they were well under the in
fiuence when they returned to camp.
Others Threw Up Jobs.
The two prevailed upon others o
-. - u 49, L.
jobs also. While the gang was at worl
about four miles west of Williams
burg yesterday afternoon n strike wa
declared and the gang proceeded bacl
to camp and started trouble at once
Camp utensils were thrown about
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