Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-11-10
STRIKE RIOT RESULTS m ONE
CAR BEING BURNED AND
OTHERS WRECKED.
ALL ROLLING STOCK
PUT OUT OF COMMISSION
Between 1000 and 1900 Men and Boys
Hold Full Sway in Business District,
With Police Powsrless to Prevent
Damass-AIi Striksbreakers Able to
Travel Leave.
Special to Times-Republ,can.

Out OutOFedk OF laWleSSIleSS eV CT ldh-
ing place in this city occurred late Sat
urday night and Sunday morning.
when a mob Of between 1000 and 1900
men and boys attacked the property
Of the Oskaloosa Traction and Light
Company and put all Of the company's
rolling stock out Of business. One
street car was totally destroyed. and
six strikebreakers and some OF the po-
lice were injured.
Since the strike on the traction COM
pany's line was declared and strike
breakers were brought here to fill the
places Of the strikers, officers have
feared more or less trouble, but they
did not imagine that the lawlessness
would be attempted to any such degree
as was evidenced Saturday night.
Police Are Powerless.
The mob formed about II O'clock in
the very heart Of the business district.
and really before the police were aware
that anything especially serious was
to be attempted. The officers charged
the mob at first, made a few arrests OF
leaders. but the mob beat the
officers back. took their prisoners from
Them and assaulted the police. The fire
department was ordered out. In the
hope that a stream Of water might
dampen the ardor Of the mob. but the
fire hose was cut as fast as 1t was
laid. Then false alarm was sent in
from a remote part Of town. and the
fire department made a two mile run,
away from the scene Of the mob's vio-
lence. to learn that there was no fire.
Mob Burns One Car.
One street car was taken by the mob
and burned on the tracks. It was COM
pletely destroyed. A new steel car.
received here only recently. was prac-
tically ruined by the names. All other
cars belonging to the company were
more or less damaged. controllers be-
ing taken off and carried away. brass
and metal parts removed. and win
dows broken. In fact everything posi-
BILE toward the crippling of the cars
was done.
Six Strikebreakcrs Injured.
Six of the twenty seven strikebreak-
ers brought here were victims of the
mob's fury. and were pretty badly
pounded up. One Of the men was al
most killed. All Of the strlkebreakers
who were able to get out OF town left
company without men.
Mob Storms City Hall and Hotela
After wrecking the street cars the
mob turned its attention to the city
hall and Hotel Lacey, where some OF
the strikebreakers had take refuge,
and it was only thru the persistent ef-
forts OF private citizens that damage
was prevented. At o'clock Sunday
morning the mob attacked the Harris
hotel. where several OF the strike-
breakers have been boarding. Here
the intention was to burn the building,
but one Of the police officers who was
with the strikebreakers warned the
crowd back with his revolver, deolar-
ing that he would shoot the first man
who approached the building. The
strikebreakers were all armed and were
desperate. intending to defend them
selves against the fury Of the mob at
any cost.
The presence Of the firearms ap-
peared to have the first quieting effect
Of the night. and the mob seemed to
be quelled. momentarily at least, for
the first time during the five hours OF
rioting. The mob fell back at the
sight Of the barrels of steel and the
leaders showed a lack Of spirit. A few
moments later the mob melted away In
silence.
Strikers Claim No Part.
The striking employees Of the traction
company declare they had no part
whatever in the mob or In its organ
ization. and strange as 1t may seem the
police or citizens did not know any OF
the leaders. It Is claimed that the mob
was organized Saturday in some Of the
nearby mining camps. by wholly ir-
responsible men and boys, many Of
whom were crazed by liquor. There
were some local strike sympathizers in
the mob. and the names OF 103 men
are in possession Of County Attorney
John McCutcheon.
Cosson to Scene.
Governor Clarke has ordered Attor-
ney General Cosson to come here and
make a thorough investigation OF the
mob and the results Of its work. The
names collected by County Attorney
McCutcheon will be presented to a
special session OF the grand Jury. the
members OF which will convene Tues
day.