The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-22
PEACE MEETING
is CALLED NOW
Thousands of Striking Miners
FIOcked to Support Mob.
Plans to Send Alleged Strike
breakers Away Formed.
MORE HAVE BEEN KILLED?
Only Forty Out of One Hundred
Are Left in the Mines.
Telegram From Lewis to Men
Started the Entire RiOting.
MORE HAVE BEEN KILLED?

CBy the Associated Press.l
Herrin. Ill, June 22.-There were
several thousand men and boys pres
ent when the nonunion men were
killed here at 9 o'clock this morning.
Forty-four men were taken prisoner
at the camp. herded in front of the
union mob and when it reached
point about halfway between the mine
and Herrin, where they passed thru
a woods, the killing began. Strikers
declared the prisoners. by an appar-
entity prearranged signal, made dash
to escape and then they were pursued
and killed
The three dead union miners were
killed in last nights fighting. The
bodies of the nineteen dead were
counted by an experienced and con-
servative newspaper man.
Lewis Telegram Started 1t.
The fighting started after receipt of
a telegram from John L. Lewis, pres
ident of the U. NJ. w. A. terming
the men working at the mine as com
mon strike breakers.
Soon after a truck carrying ten
men to work in the mine was subject
ed to fire from striking miners near
Carbondale.
one of the group escaped uninjured
but three were wounded and are in a
hospital at Carbondale. while the six
others who swan Big Muddy river
amidst a fusillade, have not yet been
accounted for
Following this skirmish excitement
was at fever heat among the miners
here. who crowded the streets and
then as if the affair was pre-
arrange, piIlaging of hardware stores
for arms and ammunition began.
with their newly acquired ordnance
the men who were being constantly
reinforced from other cities and towns
-F,.I 70 rob III m
the mine.
Thousands of Shots Fired.
Reaching the surface pit. the min
ers threw their lines around the camp
and the firing commenced, the nom
union men shooting from behind piles
of coal and trenches caused by the
scooping of each from the surface
mine.
Thousands of shots were exchanged
before both sides hoisted the white
flag which preceded the truce.
1t was reported that forty-six OF
the prisoners were being brought here,
but several hours after the report was
received they had not arrived. Per-
sons who canvassed the woods say
bodies are scattered all over"
The surrounding country is swarm
ing with persons. many armed, and
this prevents checking up the numer-
Gus reports
The union sympathizers stormed the
employees of the strip mine in their
tents and departed.
They returned after daybreak and
found the men hiding behind steam
shovels and other paraphernalia, the
report said The mine employees
thereupon were lined up and some
were marched into the woods and
lynched, according to reports
Miners Flock to Mob.
Thousands of striking miners. many
of whom were armed last night and
this morning, made their way along
roads congested with every sort of
conveyance leading to the mining
camp. where the union miners and
sympathizers. estimated to number
approximately 1000, surround the
union forces. who claim they are
members of the Steam Shovel Mems
union.
Williamson county officials includ-
ing Sheriff Melvin Thaxton and States
Attorney Duty. have not requested any
outside assistance in restoring order
in the district and Col Sam y. Hun
ter, attache of the Illinois adjutant
generals office. this morning eX-
pressed the belief that the worst is
over"
Colonel Hunter is at Marion. closely
watching the situation at the mining
camp. which is five miles distant.
Hold a Peace Conference.
he declared tnaC the ugnIlnE
stopped after both sides agreed TO
truce, following which arrangements
were made for holding a peace" con-
ference today, at which, he said, he
believed officials of the union miners
would ask the coal company to close
the mine and send away the men. said
to have been imported from Chicago
The Southern Illinois coal mine was
the first in Illinois to resume opera
tions since the strike became effective
- lot reear
situation among the striking coal
miners
The district is so1idly unionized-
Forty-four of the strike breakers,
the cmnant of the nearly 100 a. ;he
mine. are reported to have surrender
eu after the remainder had been killed
or wounded or had esca ped
Six men are said to have made n
dash I escape as they were being
brought 10 Marion and these are being
uurS11ed