Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-07-22
Striker Killed in
Riot at BayOnne
MORE THAN 100 INJURED AT
STANDARD OIL PLANT.
FIVE POLICEMEN HURT
Sheriff sueeseded in Paeifyins the
Strikers and Has Arranged Con-
ference Between Strikers Commit
tee and Company Officials.

New York, July 21.-Quiet prevailed
tonight at the Bayonne plant of the
Standard Oil Company of New Jer-
sey, where early in the day riot
between police and strikers resulted
in the death of one striker and the
injury of a police inspector, four pa
trolmen and nearly 100 strikers The
only excitement tonight was the dis
covery of four small fires within the
plant (which broke out almost stimuli
taneously but were easily controlled
Strikers Rejected UItimatun.
The strikers late today rejected an
ultimatum from the company that
their proposals would be considered
providing they returned to work to-
morrow morning Sheriff Eugene Kin
kead, who succeeded in pacifying the
strikers, arranged a conference be-
tween a strikers committee and COM
pany officials for tomorrow. OF the
eleven special deputies, whose pres
ence led to the disorder, six were
taken to the Hudson county Jail.
Sheriff Able to Handle Situation.
Sheriff Kinkead said tonight that
he would not permit any guards out
side the Standard Oil plant He said
he was able to handle the situation
and did not need state militia Mayor
Pierre p. Garvan, of Bayonne, earlier
in the day had asked the governor of
New Jersey for troops.
17-Year-Old Laborer Killed.
In the rioting John Stovancfk, aged
IL, laborer of Bayonne, received re-
yolver wounds and died while being
hurried to a hospital. None of the
injured was hurt seriously. Inspector
Daniel Cady's horse was shot from
under him and he was struck by flying
missiles. The four patrolmen were
struck by clubs. brick and stones.
How the Trouble Started.
The trouble started after IL special
deputy sheriffs had left the Standard
plant and walked toward the plant Of
the Tidewater OH company. As they
neared the plant they met a crowd of
several hundred strikers from the
Standard plant -Menaced by the strik-
ers, the deputies, it is said, started to
run, and were pursued by the strik-
ers, who hurled various missiles. The
deputies separated While one party
went through the plant of the Tide
water company, the other. numbering
six, sought refuge in Engine house No.
of the Bayonne Fire department.
across the street from the entrance
to the tidewater works. The strikers
pursued the first party through the
Tidewater works, but all escaped.
Police Fired VoIIey Over Heads.
The ranks of the strikers were aug
mented rapidly and soon nearly 500
men and boys had gathered outside
the engine house. The police were
notified and Inspector Cady at the
head of a squad hurried to the scene.
The strikers refused to disperse and
the police are said to have fired a VOL
ley over their heads. This had no ef-
feet and a volley was fired low. The
crowd backed away, leaving Stovan-
elk and three others who were struck
by bullets.
Sheriff Gained the Crowd.
Sheriff Kinkead arrived in an au-
tomobile soon after the shooting. The
sheriff, standing up In the car, plead
ed with the strikers to disperse and
offered his services toward reaching
settlement with the Standard Oil
plant officials. He declared it was his
duty to preserve peace and he would
take every means in his power to
prevent disorder. His words Gained
the crowd and they began to disperse.
May Arbitrate.
Later a meeting of strikers was
held which was addressed by Sheriff
| Kinkead and George Vickers, assist
ant prosecuting attorney of Hudson
county. A committee of seven, includ-
ing Sheriff Kinkead and Mr.. .Vickera
was appointed to confer with the
Standard OIL officials. The COMMITTEES
was instructed to obtain from the Of
| ficials. If possible a promise to arbi-
trate on the question of Is per cent
increase In wages for the laborerR
The committee met General Manager
Clifford and superintendent Kennedy
OF the Standard works and received
| from them an ultimatum that the COM
pany would consider no proposition
from the strikers unless the men re-
| turned to work Thursday morning.
The cOmpany'a answer was referred
| to the meeting, which was attended
by nearly 1900 strikers and the men
decided not to return to work. The
meeting ordered the committee to
make an effort to confer with the
company officials again tomorrow.