Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-14
SOLDIERS AT
PEORIA WAIT
RIOT ORDERS
Quiet Prevails After Night
of Observation-Disclosures
ties Confer.

Peoria, Ill, Aug. 14.-With ap-
proximately 1900 members of two
regiments of Illinois reserve mill
tia held under arms at two armor-
les at Peoria, in readiness to sup
press any renewance of the guer-
: rilia warfare between striking en-
@apyes of the keystone Steel and
WfNe company at Bartonville, five
miles from here, and strike break
ers that last night resulted in the
shooting of five persons, state Off
cials began conferences that they
hoped would bring about a settle
ment by o'clock this evening.
SNOthing to Announce
The conference ended at noon
with the announcement by General
Dickson that there was nothing
to announce"
1t was indicated that steps to-
ward an amicable settlement had
been made, however, in the state
ment by w. H. Sommer, vice pres
ident and general superintendent
of the company, that later we ex-
pect to make a statement that will
clear the atmosphere"
Armistice Declared.
An armistice had been declared
between the two factions to last
until that hour. In a conference
that began at 2 O'Clock this morn
ing and lasted until o'clock,
leaders of the strikers promised
that they would hold the union
members in check until that hour.
Upon the arrival at 9:10 o'clock
of Adjutant-General Frank s.
Dickson by automobile from Spring
field, a conference of a self-ap-
pointed committee consisting of the
adtutant-generaI, Mayor f. N.
Woodruff, other reserve militia
officers and nine officials of the
Keystone company began. 1t was
"a secret conference, but prior to it,
it was stated that it was hoped
that the meeting would bring about
an amicable agreement.
List of Victims.
The FIVE persons shot yesterday
and last night we're:
Reuben Sommer, 10 years old,
assistant chemist at the wire and
steel plant, and son of P. W. Som
mer, president Of the concern.
Alphin Sommer, 10 years old, !
son of John Sommer, general su-
perintendent of the plant.
Frank Rudolph, watchman.
An unidentified man.
A young woman, nurse at the
South Bartonville state insane asy-
lum. about 100 yards from the
plant.
SOmmer Youth Blinded.
Today Reuben Sommer, the most
seriously injured of the five, had
regained consciousness. He suf- |
fered much from loss of blood, |
shot from a shotgun severing sew
eral veins and arteries in his neck |
and upper body. He also will lose |
the sight of one eye.
The other Sommer youth also
struck by a charge from a shot |
gun, was reported as improving,
and having a good chance for re-
covery.
The watchman. Rudolph, a new
employe, was shot in the back as
he turned to run. His injuries are
not considered likely to be prove
fatal.
The unidentified man was shot in
the heel.
The nurses inju was a pistol
bullet flesh wound in the leg.
Both Sides Determined.
Leaders of both of the strikers
and executives of the keystone
Steel and Wire company today
stated that the strike revc'ved
about but a single factor-recogn1-
ton of the union. J. r. Lewis, sec
retary OF the local union of the
Amalgamated Asso-
citation of Steel and Iron Workers,
who has been in charge of the
strike since it was called July 9,
last, emphatica1ly declared this
morning that it would not end until
The union was recognized. There
are no differences regarding wages,
hours or working conditions, he as
serted.
Charles W. Laporte, assistant to
The president of the steel and wire
vas equally emphatic in
As declaration that recognition ,
would not be accorded the union
Several members of the Sommer I
.amily, which controls the big
plant, added their affirmation to
hat statement.
Approximately LOO workmen
we're employed at the dual plant, ,
he. majority of them in the wire ;
plant
The union men charge that the )
irst shot in the controversy yes ]
erday, after weeks of bloodless :
striking, was fired by imported )
fCortirre5 or rooa Ni1o1