The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-08-23

SHOT
DEAD IN
RIOT

BLOODY BATTLE WAGED In
STREETS OF sCHoENvMLE,
PA, hETWEEN STRIKERS
AND TROOPS - FAMILIES
STARVING, STRIKERS ARE
DRIVEN TO DESPERATION
MARTIAL LAW NOW PRE-
Walls.
(By United Press Leased Wire.l
PITTSBURG, Pa, Aug. ga
Following last nights wild riotlng
when eight men were instantly
killed, six fatally injured and
scores badly hurt, Schoenville AMI
Mckees Rocks, where the big
plants of the Pressed Steel Car
company are located. are practical-
ly under martial law today.
Troops Patrol Streets.
Fearing a repetition OF the riot
ing, the state constabulary is pa
trolling the streets, dispensing all
gatherings of strikers. The strik-
ers are sullen and threatening
vengeance and 1t is very probable
that Governor Stuart today will
call out the state militia to assist
the constabulary, who are unable
to cope with the situation in keep
ing order.
Strike Heads With Maces.
During the rioting mounted
state troopers galloped ind.scflm-
inately through the streets with
heavy riot maces drawn, striking
the heads of all persons lettering
In the vicinity OF the mill.
Shortly after 10 o'clock a num-
Der of turbulent strikers found
Harry Exler, deputy sheriff. who
was formerly Pittsburg police
man, on street car. Exler re-
fused to tell the men who he was.
and the strikers believed that ho
was strike-breaker. attacked and
killed him. Exler pulled his re-
volver to protect himself and be-
fore he died poured shot after shot
into the attacking party.
Open Fire on Troops.
Then the state troopers came
dashing up and the strikers were
ordered to disperse. The men
now, however, were filed with the
lust for blood and sighting the
constabu1ary, they opened fire on
them. Trooper Williams fell dead
from his horse. Then IL was that
the constabulary were ordered to
shoot to kill. Today count re-
lvealed that eight, three of them
unidentified, are dead as a result
OF the rioting.
The strikers, after two months
lof idleness, today are desperate.
Their families are suffering for the
want Of food.
Women Garry Pistols.
The wives of the strikers ara
becoming conspicuous in the riot
ing. Some of them even carry
pistols.
On account of their sex the po-
lice heretofore have paid little at
tention to them. but since last
nights rioting they have been or
dered to use their maces unspar-
ingly. More trouble is feared TO-
might, and additional deputy sher-
iffs will be sworn in today and
sent to the scene to assist in keep
ing order.
The streets of McKees Rocks
and Schoenville, the scene Of last
nights violent rioting, are prac-
Itically deserted this afternoon, ex-
cept for the state constabulary
and deputy sheriffs. No one is
being allowed to enter the town
unless they can satisfactorily ex-
plain their mission. No one is al
lowed to loiter on the streets.
and even the reporters are kept
moving. Sheriff Gumbert, fear
ling more rioting toight, will this
afternoon ask Gov. Stuart to rush
a detachment Of the state militia
here.
President Hoffstot this after.
noon said that the reports Of last
nights rioting had been greatly
Exaggerated. While it has bes.n
lofficiolly reported that eight men
are dead, he declared that the
number Of injured would not ex-
lceed 20.
The continuation of the fight
between his company and its em-
Iployes, he said. is largely due to
the interference of outsiders, and
led by socialists and the sensation
al statements made by certain
newspapers.