The New York herald., 1922-06-22
union MINERS RAID
PIT,KILLING ONEAND
WOUNDNG SEVERAL
Mob Gathers When Lewis
Wires Strike Breakers
Are at Work.
THOUSANDS AT SCENE
Darkness Ends Battle Lasts
ing for Hours at
Herrin, Ill.
ASK MEN BE DEPORTED
Beseigers Open Farley With
Operators to Close Their
Coal Property.
ASK MEN BE DEPORTED

HERRIN, ILL.,, June 21 ASSOCIATED
Press) s).-Darkness tonight compelled
cessation of hostilities between strik-
ing union miners and employees of
the Southern Illinois Coal Company's
strip mine near here after hours of
fighting in which thousands Of shots
were exchanged. One union miner Is
known to have been killed.
Reports were current that twelve to
fifteen employees of the mine were
killed, but these could not be verified
because Of confusion at the camp.
| Two union miners were wounded
seriously and about six others were
wounded slightly. Three mine guards
also were reported seriously wounded.
Thousands Of persons. many armed,
were rushing to the camp tonight.
The exact number of casualties in the
fight cannot be determined on account
of inaccessibility to the scene of the
trouble.
The body of one union miner has
been brought to Herrin Hospital and
two other men. believed TO be sympa-
thizers, were brought to a hospital
where it is said one of them is not
expected to live.
Hugh Fox, president of sub-district
No. of the Illinois Miners Union. and
Hugh Willis. member of the Interna-
tional Board Of the United Mine Work
ers of America. persuaded the men to
cease firing and proceeded to the camp
of the strip mine.
Negotiations were Immediately begun
for the Southern Illinois Coal Company
to close the mine and deport the men.
Three men in a hospital at Carbondale
were injured when the first violence of
the day broke out. A truck carrying
ten men from Carbondale to the strip
mine was fired upon from ambush sew
eral miles southeast of Carbondale. AT
least five men were wounded. Six es-
capped by swimming a small stream.
According to the communications of
Mr.. Lester. the trouble began after re-
ceipt of word by striking miners from
John l.. Lewis, president of the mine
workers. that miners working in the
company's stripping mine should be con-
sidered common strikebreakers."
A crowd began gathering shortly after
Mr.. Lewis's message was received. IL was
said. and a march was started to the
mine A clash with guards followed in
which several persons were reported to
have been killed or injured.
The mine had been idle since the
strike up to within the last two weeks
when II was put back into operation, It
was said.
One report was to the effect that
fourteen or fifteen bodies of nom
union men were lying in the pit on the
surface mine. where they had barricaded
themselves and exhanged numerous
shots with the attacking miners
Jordon Henderson. As, a striking
union miner. was shot in the head and
killed. His body was brought here br
unidentified persons.
WAuKEGAN, ILL.,. June Civ. J. Les
ter of Chicago. president of the Southern
Illinois Coal Company. sent a telegram
to Gov. Len Small here tonight stating
that ''mobs are rising and attacking our
workers at our mine near Herrin ana
troops are necessary TO prevent furthet
loss OF life
Gov. Small called Adjt.-Gen. Carlos
Black. at Springfield. who told him the
authorities had the situation well in
hand and that troops were not necessary
at this time.