Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-03-22
FOREIGN MINERS ON WGRPATH
Armed Men Drive Americans from the
Mines at Gillespie, Ill
GOVERNOR SENDS STATE TROOPS
Ten Companies VIII Attempt 90 Dis
arm Thousand Italians COnsre-
stated at BenId, Two Miles
from gillespie.


GILLESPIE. Ill. March a.-one thou
sand strong. armed with q varied assort-
ment of fire arms and marching to the
music OF an Italian band, the foreign coal
miners Of Benld. Ill. conducted sunrise
demonstration today against their English
speaking brethren Of the town Of Giles
pie.
|, The procession came from Benld stopped
at mine No l. 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 Giles
pie against the commission OF an overt act
prevented blood shed.
Throughout the night a vigilance commit
tee of Gillespie citizens patrolled the streets
Of the town, because of news that the
Benld miners had started for Gillespie. The
watchers warned everyone to get off the
streets. Many Gillespie citizens and miners
were stirring when they first heard the
music Of the marchers. Everyone was
armed. Some persons sought refuge in the
rooms above the store buildings along the
main street, declaring they would shoot
II the mRrchers came into the town. The
procession passed through the town, how
ever without q shot being fired.
An hour later Colonel e. ]. Lang, com
handing the Fourth regiment Illinois Ma
tional Guard, arrived from Springfield. The
EffinEham and Paris companies were the
first to arrive OF the troops ordered out at
| 1 80 O'Clock this morning by Governor De
neen, The other commands arrived later,
| nearly all of them coming on the interur-
ban line from Sprinfield.
It is Colonel Lang's plan to march his
troops from Gillespie to Benld, a distance
| haIF nv
and disarm the belligerents, many OF
whom are drunk and in disagreeable
temper. II necessary Colonel Lang is pre-
pared to proclaim martial law in Bend
Citizens OF Gillespie insist there will be
bloodshed in Benld when the troops at
tempt TO disarm the foreigners, few Of
whom speak English.
The Superior Coal company owns three
mines here, with a daily total output Of
about 10 900 tons. Mine No. lies two miles
east of Gillespie, which IL fourteen miles
| southwest of Carlinville, the county seal
of Maciupin county. Mine No Is IL
Renld n town OF loo inhabitants, anc
mine No. is a mile southwest OF GILES
pie. The three mines employ about LSV
men. The entire output Of the Superior
Coal company's mines goes to the ChlcssS
& Northwestern railroad via chicago
Alton road.
Three months ago john P, Reese CAM
from Gillespie, Ia, to take the superin
tendency of the properties, succeeding j
w. Wiley, who was killed In the traeuoi
wreck in Benld on October 4, last whei
forty persons lost their lives
Superintendent Reese inaugurated sew
eral changes and reforms that were no
favorably received by the foreign element
Ten Companies on Duty
The comanies which arrived here thl
morning are;
Company H, Fourth regiment, Shelby
! Vile; Company C, Fourth regiment, Ell
: fingharn; Company r, Fourth regiment
Vandalia; Company l., Fourth regiment
olney; Company d, Fourth regiment
, Paris; Company c, Fifth regiment Spring
: field; Calling platoon, Fifth regiment
: Springfield; Company H, Fifth regiment
! Decatur; Company A, Fifth regiment Dan
4 Vile; Troop d, First Illinois cavalry
Springfield.
The trouble started at Benld week ag
when the foreign element became dissauf
fled with working conditions and induce
the Americans to quit The local union Of
Z ficlals of the miners ruled against the fol
{ eigners and ordered them back to WorF
: The Americans returned to the mines an
since then the foreigners have been tyin
Z 10 persuade the Americans to quit. IN
trouble became acute last night atts
deputy sheriffs OF Macoupin county WeT
u drI,,aD from the mines