The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-06
FIRST BLOOD SHED
. IN WAR between
MILLS And UNION
Shooting Near Ismert-Hincke
Mill This Morning.
Pitched Battle Between Union
and NOnuniOn Men.
Superintendent SHOT FIRST
f. w. Sigmand Declares 1t Was
in Self Defense.
Two Strikers Hit and Three
Workers Are Injured.
MORE Determined THAN EVER
Unions Declare They VIII Con-
tinue Strike Policy.
Charge NOnuniOn Men With
Carrying Firearms. $50
E. w. Sigmand Declares 1t Was
in Self Defense.
Two Strikers Hit and Three
Workers Are Injured.
Determined THAN EVER
Unions Declare They VIII Con
tinue Strike Policy.
Charge NOnun,On Men With
Carrying Firearms.

Z. W. Sigmand. 5G-year-old. super
intendcnt OF the elevator at the Is
mert-Hincke mills, this morning shot
two union pickets who had stationed
themselves near Tenth and Railroad
streets.
Sigmand claims he shot in self-de-
fense to halt half a dozen union men
who started toward him with threats,
and to protect A. Miller, non union
man. who sigmand claims, had been
knocked down and badly beaten by
r. Keller, 1928 North Van Buren
street. and william Mcintosh. 72O
Chestnut street. the wounded men, de-
clare that Sigmand began shooting
when they attempted to talk to the
two non-union men who were accom-
panying the superintendent TO work.
They deny that violence on their part
was threatened or contemplated.
Given Emergency Treatment.
The police took Keller and McIn-
tosh to police headquarters were DR..
Earl 6. Brown. city physician. admin
istered emergency treatment. Later,
the wounded men were taken to St.
Francis hospital for treatment.
Arrest MIL Men.
In answer to a call from the mill.
Bob Miller. undersheriff. hurriedi to
Tenth and Railroad streets. where he
arrested Sigmand and Mark Andlauer,
n salesman for the mill, who claimed
he rushed to the assistance Of Sigmand
and his two non-union employees.
Andlauer carried an empty gun to the
fight, which, he says, he found in the
office OF the Ismert -Hincke mills.
Sheriff Hugh Larimer Immediately
called Tinkham Veale. assistant
county attorney to his office. The
statements of Sigmand and Andlauer
~ a Z
ness. were taken, as they were first
in the office.
Mcintosh Tells Story.
Mcintosh. sitting in a chair at po-
lice headquarters with blood smeared
on both feet. from the two shots
which pierced both legs. says that he
was standing ten feet from where the
trouble began. AS he started to tell
his story, Frank Brown, a labor lead
er. entered the room.
BE careful now boys as to what
you say" said Brown. This all will
be used later"
Mcintosh continued with his story
Il saw Keller lying on the ground
begging Sigmand not to shoot again."
said Mcintosh.
Don't shoot that man. I shouted
to Slgmand.
by God. don't you interfere with
my men, Sigmand replied. and he
started toward me shooting That
ended 1t and we left"
KcIIcr's Story.
Keller. naked to the waist. and
groaning as the doctor probed for the
bullet, told his story as best he could.
I'VE saw Sigmand and two men
going toward the mill. 1 began
talking to the men, asking them to
stop work and help us out We
wanted more money. told them. I
didn't offer any violence
"Sigmand told me to leave the men
alone. He drew a gun. He shot me
1 fell to the ground"
Sigmand Side of It.
over at the sheriffs office Sigmand
n man 60 years old, gray haired and
calm, told his story to Sheriff Hugh
Larimer and Tinkham Neale, assistant
county attorney.
Il never had trouble before in m,
life" he said. Il shot to protect Nil
Ter, who had been knocked down ant
beaten ana to protect myself McIn
tosh and others were coming towar,
me. My duties are more than merel,
to look after the elevator. I feel tina
I should protect the men I hire an,
that's what I did"
Sigmand came to Topeka when tn
Ismert- -Hincke mills opened. II
lives at 40 East Tenth street
IT started 10 work in company witt
a new man named Miller and witt
E II. Jenkins. s23 Madison street on
OF our employees" he said. "Harr
johnson. a mill worker. who is an ex
convict beat up a soldier boy VIII
wanted in the mill Tuesday and W
had heard other threats. So this morn
ing I took an old revolver and put
tn my pocket
when we reached the railroa