The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-21
|. N. C. CALLED OUT
A Race War Is Inaugurated at
Benld Coal Mines.
Foreigners Drive Americans
From the Workings.
ARE CARRYING GUNS.
The Disturbers March to Music
of Band.
CARRYING GUNS
Deputy Sheriffs Have Been
Driven Before Them.

Gillespie, ILL.,, March 21-One thou
sand strong. armed with varied as
sortment of arms and marching to the
music OF an Italian band. the foreign
coal miners of Benld. ILL.,, conducted
a sunrise demonstration today against
their English speaking brethren Of the
town of Gillespie.
The procession came from Benld
stopped at mine No /. passed through
the main street of Gillespie, thence on
to Mine No and back to Benld.
Counselling of the older citizens and
business men of Gillespie against the
commission of any overt acts prevent
ed bloodshed.
Throughout the night a vigilance
committee of Gillespie patrolled the
that the Benld miners had started for
Gillespie. The watchers warned every
one to get off the streets.
Many Gillespie citizens and miners
were stirring when they first heard the
music of the marchers. Some sought
buildings along the main street, de-
claring they would shoot if the march
ers came into the town. The process
sion passed through the town. how
ever without shot being fired.
An hour later, Colonel e. J. Lang
l
nois National guard, arrived from
Springfield. The Efingham and Paris
companies were the first to arrive OF
the troops ordered out at 1:3O this
morning by Governor Deneen- The
other commands arrived later. 1t is
Colonel Iang's plan to march his
troops from Gillespie to Benld, dis
tance of two and one-half miles by
wagon road, and disarm the belliger-
ents. many of whom are drunk and in
a disagreeable temper If necessary
Colonel Lang is prepared to proclaim
martial law in Benld. Citizens of Gill
lespie insist there will be bloodshed
in BenId when the troops attempt 10
disarm the foreigners, very few OF
whom speak English.
start of the Trouble.
Three months ago John P. Reese
came to Gillespie from Iowa TO take
the superintendency of the properties,
succeeding J. w. Miller. who was
killed in the traction wreck in Benld
on october last, when forty persons
lost their lives.
Superintendent Reese inaugurated
several changes and reforms that were
not favorably received by the foreign
element.
The climax was reached ten days
ago when ninety men were discouraged
for improperly loading cars. 1t was
charged that the miners were loading
their cars light as a reprisal for the
superintendent's action in putting in
mine No. 1 an additional machine
with the aid of which Reese main
tanned he hoped to bring the tonnage
up to capacity.
Last week the state officers of the
Tinted Mine Workers of Illinois ruled
against the strike which had been in
aUgurated and ordered the men back
to work. The foreign miners broke up
the meeting. WHICH was called TO-, to act
Then the locals of mines No. 1 and
No. 8 held meetings and by large
vote decided to return to work. When
the whistle blew for work in No. L
Yesterday morning the miners were
prevented from going to work by a
force of 500 foreigners who marched d
from Benld and defied the local au-
thorities. Several fights occurred and
one man was injured, being struck
with a club.
Citizens Hold Mass Meeting.
Yesterday afternoon the citizens OF
Gillespie held a mass meeting. In
view of wild rumors that the foreign
ers were preparing to march upon Gill