© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement
The most important developments in the great strike yesterday were the determination of the passenger engineers to stop all trains to-day and the action of the Monongahela valley miners, who joined the ranks of the strikers. Peace and order reigned supreme throughout the city. The full developments will be found below:
The two hundred odd knights of the mace still keep perambulating the city, and under the direction of Mayor McCarthy are doing efficient service. They are gradually gathering in the chief offenders of Saturday and Sunday, as well as preserving the public peace.
Mention was made yesterday that a man giving the name of Conners, and claiming to be a brother of Patrick Conners, one of the victims to the Philadelphia bullets, had been committed for trial on a charge of murder. This announcement was incorrect. The only brother to Mr. Conners is a highly respected resident of a Western city, and has not been in Pittsburgh for a year. The party who was charged with the shooting was Harry Goff, a young resident of the South Side. He was arrested at Lafayette Hall by Officer Coulson. His case was heard on the charge of riot by Deputy Mayor Butler yesterday morning. The policeman testified that the accused had shot twice at the military and this was not denied by the accused. The latter claimed, however, that he did it through excitement and in consequence of the firing of the military on the previous afternoon. He said he was a mill hand, had lived in Pittsburgh for fifteen years, had always been a law abiding citizen, this being his first offense. The Acting Mayor held him in the sum of $2,000 for court.
The justice loving public will be glad to learn of the arrest of Wm. Phillips, the man charged with following the Philadelphia troops out Penn avenue and Butler street and firing into their ranks during their retreat. Phillips was arrested near the stock yards, at East Liberty, yesterday afternoon, by Officers Andy Moon and John Ripley. He was conveyed to the Central Station house, where a reporter of The Post had a brief interview with him. Phillips is a man of thirty-one years, and has a wife and four children living on the Morning Side road. He is a man about five feet ten and a half or eleven inches high, of slender figure, has a ruddy complexion, moustache and goatee, both light in color and texture, light brown hair and dark eyes, and does not present the appearance of a desperado.
Mayor McCarthy showed the reporter a letter written by a gentleman acquainted with Phillips' record, in which the writer says: "I learn that Wm. Phillips, the man about whom we conversed, is a ruffian and desperado of the worst character." The Mayor says he has sufficient evidence against the prisoner to convict him, though it will be hard to find any witness to swear that he saw the victims to Phillips' bullets drop lifeless to the street. In this connection we may also state that a prominent Liberty street merchant saw the man keep shooting into the Philadelphians. The merchant happily thought a day of reckoning might come, and for this reason made it his business to closely scrutinize the shooter. He was not acquainted with the man but will be able to positively say whether Phillips is the man.
The prisoner admitted to our reporter that he was furnished with a gun by a private citizen, on Sunday morning, at the corner of Penn and Thirty-second street. He declares, however, that he was not provided with ammunition, and denies that he kept firing into the ranks of the militia men. He has not secured a lawyer yet and says he expects to be committed for court but holds that he will be exhonorated when before that tribunal. He was some time ago employed at Carniegie's works, but recently has become engaged, when opportunity offered, in driving cattle from the East Liberty yards to the butchers' shops. He was hunting such employement [sic] at the time of his arrest. He is a native of Pittsburgh.
Last evening at about dusk a young man named William Lambert, who boarded with Timothy Cronin, a grocer at the corner of Penn avenue and Nineteenth street, was arrested. While the officers were conducting him out the avenue, the grocer kept following and urging the crowd to riot. He followed the officer from Nineteenth nearly to Twentieth street, and, as the crowd kept increasing, the officers finally decided to gather in Mr. Cronin also. Probably one hundred persons were present, but none of them offered to molest the officers. Cronin and Lambert are both now under confinement.
Several members of the Public Safety Committee called at the Mayor's office last evening, when Clerk Metzgar assured them that the Chief could assemble over one hundred men at any designated point in five minutes' notice.
An infomation was made yesterday morning against Thomas Burns for arson, who was arrested Sunday night while making threats to burn the Duquesne depot. He waived a hearing and entered bail for court.
Mayor McCarthy last evening received the following communication concerning the gang of forty thieves from Cumberland, Md., who were arrested at the Connellsville depot on Monday night and committed to the Workhouse on Tuesday:
Cumberland, July 25.—To the Mayor of Pittsburgh—Sir: The gang of roughs you took on the train from this city is the worst lot in the State. They are thieves and ruffians and this city is in raptures over their capture. For God's sake keep them locked up till these troubles are over and you will earn the gratitude of
The Citizens.
Another communication of the same character was received.
The strike still keeps spreading. Following the example of the Castle Shannon miners, the diggers employed at the various mines along the Monongahela river from Pool No. 4 to Monongahela City yesterday threw down their picks, and joined in the ranks of the discontented workmen from McKeesport. Many of them marched to Wiley's Grove, about one mile from West Elizabeth, where an immense meeting was organized, with Mr. Plaster as Chairman. Nearly fifteen hundred men and boys attended the meeting. Addresses were made by Rev. Mr. Pollock, Dr. Penny and Dr. Schaffer on the part of the citizens. They each urged the strikers to abstain from violence and remain quiet and peaceable. Several of the miners too made addresses, after which a series of resolutions was adopted setting forth their grievances. They demand three cents per bushel of seventy-six pounds, and that they shall receive their pay every two weeks. They also demand that all other miners of the vicinity shall come out expressing their determination to force them to do so if they were unwilling. The meeting continued from nine o'clock in the morning till five in the evening. After the adjournment the participants again formed in line, and with martial music at the head of the column, commenced a march through that portion of the county. Over two thousand men were in line when they were last heard from. They were determined in their appeal for increased wages but were peaceable and orderly. This morning at eleven o'clock another meeting will be held at McKeesport. At this place work of every kind is suspended. The Burgess of Elizabeth yesterday issued a proclamation to the strikers exhorting them to keep the peace. Many of the men who visited Pittsburgh on Monday, participated in the demonstration yesterday.
Yesterday afternoon the nail-men at Mullen & Maloney's mill, Temperanceville, also abandoned their posts and this morning the mill stands idle in all its departments. Their men make the same demand as the strikers at the American iron works.
The brick makers of several of the Allegheny yards quit work yesterday, and a number of them called at Moffit's yards in the Sixth ward, this city, to induce the workmen there to join them. Although no violence was offered, the proprietor of the yards was somewhat alarmed and asked assistance of the mayor. The result of the persuasion of the Allegheny strikers was not learned last night. The men at the Edgar Thomson steel works, at Braddocks, and also all the Castle Shannon miners were still idle yesterday.
The miners at Gray's coal works, on the South Side, also came out yesterday on the side of the workingmen in the great struggle now in progress between labor and capital.
The ranks of the strikers in this vicinity were increased yesterday by nearly two thousand five hundred men and boys.
Yesterday morning, Coroner Thomas held a partial inquest on the bodies of all those who are known to have been killed by the recent riots, except several of the Philadelphia soldiers who were sent to their homes. There are twenty-two victims, all but four of whom have been identified. Three of these are Philadelphians and one unknown civilian. Following is the list:
John Long, engingeer, Penn avenue. Deceased lived in Bolivar, Cambria county, Pa.
Nicholas Stoppel, Smallman near Thirtieth street; blacksmith, aged 59 years; wife and five children.
Charles Fischer, No. 1040 Penn avenue; aged 35 years, and leaves a wife; plumber and gas fitter by trade.
William H. Rea. No. 209 East street, Allegheny; 19 years old; single; moulder.
Dennis Carty, No. 23 Diamond street; laborer; aged 45; wife and two children.
Patrick Connor, Hatfield street, Seventeenth ward; aged 25 years; wife and child.
Unknown man at J. L. Williams' undertaking establishment, on Fifth avenue.
Samuel Kerr, laborer; shot at Twenty-eighth street.
Unknown soldier at Williams'.
John Enright, No. 1 Carson street, South Side; puddler, aged 32 years; widower and leaves one child.
James Sims, No. 52 Sixth avenue; painter, 32 years old; wife and one child.
Jacob De Armitt, No. 57 Webster avenue; aged 25 years; engineer; single man.
Wm. Gottschalk, corner of Thirty-sixth and Butler streets; aged 33 years; wife and two children.
Samuel Jamison, corner of Thirty-seventh and Butler streets; aged 30 years; plasterer; wife and one child.
Jacob Charles Mewmerster, Etna borough, 18 years of age.
Anthony Wachter, Mulberry alley, between Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth streets; brickmaker; aged 19; single.
Unknown soldier, at Devore's, No. 184 Grant street.
John R. Long, No. 479 Liberty street; engineer; aged 28 years; wife and one child.
John F. Hoffman, No. 147 Liberty street; Allegheny City; aged 33 years; painter; wife and two children.
John Keete, No. 15 Scott alley; teamster; aged 38; single.
The jury, consisting of Robert D. King, Patrick O'Brien, Thomas Welch, Wm. Snyder, Wm. Scott and Wm. Ghent, proceeded to St. Francis Hospital, on Forty-fourth street, yesterday morning, where several of the dead and dying were. Isaac Jones, a lad eighteen years old, was here called upon to testify. He stated that he was shot in the face at the corner of Penn avenue and Butler street while crossing the street. He saw the mob first firing on the troops, who immediately thereafter returned the fire. The shot received by Jones was evidently from a pistol.
Henry Shaw, aged twenty-two years, of Company I, Sixth regiment, from Philadelphia, was the next witness examined. He stated that he lived at 802 Perkiomen street. Was at Twenty-eighth street when the firing took place. His command did not fire at the time. He was in the round house that terrible Saturday night, and says not one of the Sixth was shot while in there. He was shot while marching along Penn avenue, near Thirty-seventh street, in the abdomen. The ball entered above the hip at the back and came out in the abdomen near the right side. The wound is a dangerous one, and has rendered him too weak to talk much. In answer to other questions by the Coroner, he stated that he did not remember seeing General Pearson. Did not know by whose orders they went into the round house, but thought by Col. Maxwell, commander of the Sixth regiment. Saw Gen. Brinton in the round house in the early part of the evening. The Gattling gun was not used at any time to his knowledge. He said Col. Maxwell gave strict orders to that effect.
John Evans, a resident of Forty-eighth street, this city, stated that he was going to his home and upon reaching Thirty-sixth street was shot in the leg. Could not tell who fired.
The Coroner and jury next proceeded to the Western Pennsylvania Hospital, and on their way questioned several workmen standing at the Twenty-eighth street crossing. One of the men stated that he had seen the Gattling gun fired. Another corroborated the statement, but when cross-examined neither could give evidence upon which to establish such a serious fact. One of these men, who gave his name as James Kinney, stated that he saw Pearson give the command to fire just as the strikers were about to retire. Saw no stones thrown or heard no shots fired until after the bayonet charge.
Lieut. F. G. Lehner, of Co. B, Third regiment, was found at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital. He stated that he resided at No. 19 North Twentieth street, Philadelphia. He was on the extreme left of the command. Was getting his men in order when the firing commenced. None of his command fired. Did not know who gave the command. Soon after the firing ceased he was overcome by heat and was taken to the hospital.
James R. Thompson, resident physician at the hospital, testified that he was at the Twenty-eighth street crossing at the time of the firing; saw one of the strikers throw up his hand to stop the body of the crowd, when the soldiers approached Pearson and severl of the Philadelphia officers came into the hospital yard. When the bayonets were charged the hooting of the crowd increased, and missiles came flying down the hill. Some one gave the order to fire. There was no warning given the crowd by the police.
The inquest closed here, to be resumed to-morrow mroning at 8 o'clock. All the Philadelphians who were at the hospitals and were slightly wounded, have sufficiently recovered to return to their homes. The names of the unknown dead mentioned above will probably be known to-day, as the coroner has telegraphed to Mayor Stokely, of Philadelphia. The dead arrived there yesterday.
The Philadelphia troops are still quartered at Blairsville Intersection, where they were ordered by Governor Hartranft yesterday to remain for further orders. General Brinton's headquarters is at a small frame house in close proximity to the station. Our reporter was yesterday afternoon informed by a gentleman who spent the preceding night in the camp, that the command is in the best spirits, and look none the worse for the forced march and retreat from the infuriated mob in this city. They men of the command do not complain of this treatment, which is most surprising, but say that if they had been so disposed, they could have drenched the street in blood, and would have been justified. General Brinton says that while marching out along the avenue he could have cleared the streets of pursuing rioters, but he refrained for humanity's sake. With his Gattling guns he could have swept Liberty street and Penn avenue for miles, but as it was he was content to put up with the assassination of one of his men here and there as the march out of the city proceeded.
Several of the Philadelphia militiamen who had become separated from their comrades started for home from this city in citizens' dress on Tuesday. Arriving at Blairsville Intersection they were warmly congratulated upon their escape by their comrades. Many inquiries were made in regard to missing brother-soldiers, and as the train moved away from the station many verbal messages were sent to the dear ones at home. But alas for human expectation. The bright anticpations of soon reaching home and receiving the warm welcome of their friends were soon dashed to pieces. As the train neared the next telegraph station it was stopped, and a message was received by an officer in command of the homeward bound soldiers from Gen. Brinton to return immediately to the intersection. This was bad news for the boys, and they disembarked and footed it back, a distance of several miles, to join their comrades.
An interesting account of how the troops fared at Claremont has been given. They arrived there on Sunday morning, footsore and hungry. They were actually starving. Superintendent Grubbs of the Allegheny Home, learned of their candition [sic] and supplied them with bread. When the "staff of life" was exhausted a demand was made on the workhouse officials. An additional supply of bread was procured at this institution, but that was all. In order to get more provisions, two of the soldiers were dressed in citizen's clothes, and thus disguised, they came to town and made their wants known to Mr. Cassatt of the railroad. Two wagon loads of provisions were sent up, including which were four casks of hams. These were hauled up to the City Home in wagons belonging to a couple of our most prominent citizens, who willingly volunteered to loan their wagons to assist in alleviating the sufferings of the fatigued soldiers. Mrs. Grubbs acted the good samaritan by making the wounded and sick comfortable. After the provisions arrived at the City Home, Superintendent Grubb, officers of the institution and Sergeant General Mears, of the command, were busy as bees all night cooking. The men received sixty gallons of coffee, and as many substantials as they could eat, after which they retired.
Officer Sol Coulson who was with the troops on Saturday night, thinks they were justified in firing on the crowd on the hillside. He followed them up from the Union Depot, and states that before they reached the blockaded crossing, Harry Goff fired upon them. He continued to fire at different points, and while a portion of the force were engaged in clearing the platform, stones were hurled from the crowds on the hillside. Colonel Gray corroborates Officer Coulson's statement that the Philadelphia troops were first fired at before they delivered the terrible volley which caused so many casualties among those congregated on the hillside.
Governor Hartranft, while on his way to this city, paid the following compliments to General Brinton and the troops; in an interview with a reporter of the Chicago Times:
"The Philadelphia militia got into close quarters at Pittsburgh?"
"Yes, but they showed courage, didn't they? General Brinton, commanding the First regiment, is a man in whom I have the greatest confidence. He is a thorough soldier and a perfectly capable man. I am satisfied that he discharged his duty faithfully."
An important action of a sub committee on Public Safety, yesterday, was a conference with Mr. Robert Ammond, a brakeman for the past year on the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago railway, who rejoices in the honor of having, for three days taken from the hands of General Manager Layng, the sole control and management of the road and its branches. On Saturday evening he was an humble brakeman; on Sunday morning he was a great railroad manager and magnate, dispatching trains, receiving all dispatches from employes [sic] , officials, stockholders, even from Manager Layng himself; on Tuesday evening he had resigned his high office and sat in the door of his little cottage, with his blooming wife and child, a simple brakeman again, happy that the burdensome responsibility had been shifted from his mind. Of course, it was usurpation, but it was power all the same, and while in office he bore his honors with becoming dignity.
Knowing his influence with the trainmen the sub-committee requested the conference for the purpose of inducing him to use his power to effect the raising of the freight blockade upon the road, so far, at least, as was necessary for provisioning the city. The committee see that a serious, if not dangerous, lack of provision is imminent, and the Ft. Wayne road presents the most promising inlet for supplying this want. The result of the conference was that Mr. Ammond promised his influence to this limited extent, and a committee of seven members of the Committee of Safety was appointed to meet jointly with Committees of Conference previously appointed by the traimen, and the officials of the road respectively. Subsequently, Mr. Ammond called upon Mr. Layng to plead with him further to restore the ten per cent. subtracted from the wages of the employes [sic] and thus secure at once two blessings, the provisioning of the city and the raising of a disastrous blockade. This consultation was not at all satisfactory to citizens or trainmen.
Late yesterday afternoon a meeting of trainmen was held at Deitrich's Hall, corner of Beaver and Washington avenues, Allegheny. The Committee of Seven, from the Committee on Public Safety, were present, with Mayor Phillips and Mr. Ammond. The meeting lagged. Speeches were made by members of the committee, friendly and pacificatory in character. All went quietly until Ammond arose and offered a resolution in effect that one engine be steamed up, a train of fourteen frieght cars manned, and taken out in the interest of dealers who should use the train, provision it, take thirteen cars and give the fourteenth to the trainmen in remuneration for their services, they to distribute the contents of the car to the strikers and their families. It was a strange, a very communistic proposition, ignoring all claim of the Pennsylvania Company to remuneration for the use of their property, but that was not the thing at stake. But the objector was there—the "boss kicker," as those who favored the resolution dubbed him. He arose and made a violent speech, the burden of which was that not a wheel of a box car should turn. A hubbub was raised and the promising resolution scattered to the winds. The meeting soon adjourned, the only subsequent action of importance being the passage of a resolution which provides that the trainmen will furnish men to run a passenger train to Chicago and return each day; one to Erie and return; one to Enon and return, and one through mail train per day each way, and concluding with a cynical clause permitting the Pennsylvania Company to run any other train they wish, "providing they can get the men." The meeting was a pattern of good order, the speeches by the trainmen well spoken and sensible and the conduct was surprisingly parliamentary. But the tenor of every speech favored a vigorous and persistent maintenance of the demand for a restoration of the ten per cent. reduction.
Near the upper end of Adams street in a little white cottage which stands far back from the street, leaving room for a pretty lawn, trillised [sic] grape vines and beds of flowers, lives the retired magnate. He is in his twenty-fifth year, tall, slender, intelligent, quick and forcible. He is well connected, his father being Mr. August Ammond, of the Miners' and Manufacturers' Duquesne Company, Wood street. Excess in habit has given him some trouble, but he is now a proud and staid pater familias. With all his mistakes he avers that he has never tasted a drop of strong drink. A year ago he came with a letter of introduction to Mr. Layng, admitting he had been wild, but expressing a desire to reform. He was placed on the road as brakeman, soon attained a wonderful influence among his fellows, and never failed in attendance to duty. When the crisis came last Saturday, and it was judicious for the attainment of their object for the trainmen to take complete possession of the road, he was unanimously chosen to the office of General Manager. During the three days when he held the office not a single mistake or accident occurred, though excitement and danger attended everywhere. The conduct of the road was entirely in his hands, even to the issuing of passes. Mr. Layng himself could not have dead-headed it over the road without a pass countersigned by Robert Ammond Disaffection began its work, however. The older heads among the strikers lay close together and whispered that "Bob" was too young, too inexperienced for so grave a responsibility. A conference was held and two of these, "old heads" appointed to counsel and advise with him in his work. The great manager's proud spirit could not brook this slight, and he stepped down and out in the midst of his official glory. "I am glad of it," said he to the reporter. "Had an accident happened like that on the West Penn, while the road was in my care, the citizens would have hung me to the first lamp post." The management of the road is now in the hands of Wm. F. Ross, former train dispatcher, in connection with a committee of trainmen composed of Messrs. John Beavington, W. M. Kynett and Edw. Campbell. On and after to-day the number of trains will be as designated in the resolution referred to above, and notices to this effect will be posted in all stations for the information of the traveling public.
The city is now well protected against any outbreak of the mob. Organizations of citizens have been effected in almost all the wards and in the rural districts. The police force has been increased to over two hundred men, the militia, fully six hundred strong, is held in readiness for orders, and the mounted patrol of citizens is out at all hours of the night, ready to report an outbreak at very short notice. Most of these organizations are under the direction of the Committee on Public Safety. Gen. Negley was at his headquarters, Lafayette Hall, all day yesterday. He has plenty of arms and ammunition which are well guarded. At a few hours' notice he can have in command several hundred men to move against the mob. The mounted patrol is fifty strong, in command of Maj. J. C. Paul. The headquarters of the patrol is on Wood street, opposite the Germania bank bulding. Each evening at 8 o'clock the men leave in five squads, ten in each, and visit all parts of the city. In case a disturbance should occur during the night which is beyond their power to quelch they will send a detail to headquarters and the Committee of Safety will immediately notify all armed bodies to proceed to the scene. Two battallions have been organized in the vicinity of Shady Side in charge of Col. Smith and Capt. Stone. These organizations compose some of our best citizens. Major Slagle has organized a company with headquarters at Lafayette Hall. Captain Geisenhaimer, with twenty-five men has made the Court House his headquarters. Plenty of arms and ammunition is furnished all these organizations from the arsenal. The Duquesnes Greys are quartered at their armory, old City Hall, and the Fourteenth regiment have made the Court House their headquarters. They take their rations at the Seventh avenue. Most of our banks have taken ample precautions against any attacks from a mob. Extra guards have been mounted, supplied with plenty of ammunition. At the Bank of Pittsburgh alone there was a guard of twenty-two men last night who were supplied with over one hundred stand of arms, bosides revolvers without stint. Other banks were nearly as well cared for. This precaution will continue while the present trouble lasts.
"All quiet on the Potomac," shouted an old and seedy looking individual, out Penn avenue last evening, who appeared to be half full of bad whiskey. Whether he was a veteran of the late war and got a little mixed in his speech, we cannot say; but he was correct in the main, except that he might have said, while he was at it, "all quiet out Liberty street and Penn avenue."
Our reporter walked slowly out the track about 7 o'clock last evening, to the West Penn hospital and back again down Penn avenue, but failed to get any news of a startling character. Penn avenue is as quiet as on ordinary days, and a person walking on that thoroughfare who did not know of the great calamity that had befallen the city would never imagine anything amiss.
One thing was noticeable, which is somewhat difficult to understand. The proclamation of the Mayor has been published in the papers and billed all over the city, commanding that all saloons be closed, and stay closed at that, till orders from headquarters to open again are given. Yet on Liberty street and Penn avenue, all the grog shops are in full blast, and are full of men of doubtful character guzzling beer by the quart. Why the law is not enforced, is a question. Down in the business portion of the city many saloons are closed, and it is nothing more than just that the law should be enforced on these prominent avenues.
There was a report abroad that the engineers would hold a meeting, either at Eleventh or Twenty-second street, some time during yesterday evening, and it was for the purpose of attending this meeting that the trip was made. But the report was evidently untrue, as no one could be found who had heard anything about it. From what was heard it was altogether likely they will hold out as long as the rest, being forced into it against their will. At all events, no meetings are likely to be held till something is heard from the railroad officials.
On the way out, noticing a force of laborers at work on the railroad near Twentieth street, a halt was made to see what was going on. Something rather curious was seen. Standing on the track next to the hill, below the fire, were several cars of pig metal consigned to the Pennsylvania Lead Company, and when the cars caught the lead melted and ran down by the side of the track in layers, probably twelve feet long by five or six feet wide, and half an inch thick. The workmen were engaged in cutting it up, and pretty tough time they had of it. About one hundred tons was the consignment, and it is expected about seventy-five will be saved. This is the first work that has been done so far.
Nothing new was noticeable from that to the round house. Crowds of people, composed of all kinds of characters, from the lowest to the highest, were viewing the ruins, and expressions of sympathy were heard on all sides, especially among the ladies, for the railroad company in the loss of their magnificent buildings, the fire locomotives and elegant passenger coaches.
At the West Penn Hospital Superintendent Chess reported all his patients as getting along nicely. He started T. B. Simon, sunstruck, and Wm. Bovard, slightly wounded in the shoulder, both of the Philadelphia regiment, on their way rejoicing, yesterday afternoon. James Oliver, who was shot through the lung, is getting well fast. The ball went clear through him, and his as escape from death is miraculous indeed.
From a conversation our reporter had with a gentleman living in the neighborhood of Twenty-eighth street, it appears that the rioters did not intend to burn the Union Depot or the elevator till after dark. He says that when the fire was fully under headway he walked up the hill to get a better view; that while on his way up he met a small boy, who asked him where he was going. The gentleman told him, and the little fellow, who appeared to be well raised, said, "You ought to wait till to-night; they're going to burn the elevator and Union Depot." "How do you know that?" asked the gentleman.
"Why," said the boy, "father was down there all night, and when he came home he told mother the depot and elevator would go to-night and he was going down to help."
If the child told the truth, and the gentleman had every reason to believe him, it would appear the person who fired the building did not know of this arrangement, and rather got ahead of the mob.
All along the line there are patches of fire here and there, that flit up at intervals, casting a sickly light around for a few moments and then die down. Beyond the round house there is a considerable quantity of coal on fire, which may burn for weeks. At the elevator water is still being thrown, and in a day or two it will be cooled. Probably by the time the differences are settled the fire will be entirely out and in a condition to begin work immediately, if it is to be done.
The stockholders of the grain elevator held a regular annual meeting, at the Edgar Thomson Steel Works, at Braddocks, yesterday afternoon. Mr. W. H. Barnes occupied the chair, and Mr. W. L. Rogers, the Secretary, fulfilled the duties of that office. About two-thirds of the stock subscribed was represented at the meeting. It was intended to present the regular annual statement of business transacted by the company, but owing to the recent confusion, only the general facts were given, and the officials were unable to make out the detailed statement. It will be furnished hereafter.
Among the facts given however, was one to the effect that about twenty-five thousand bushels of grain valued at about twenty thousand dollars were stored in the building on July 1st. Some of this was removed before the fire on Sunday, but additional shipments had also been received, so that this will about cover the amount and value of grain destroyed in the conflagration. The grain belonged to private individuals who will hold the county and not the Elevator company liable for the loss. Among these are the firms of Keil & Son, Hitchcock, McCreery & Co., M. F. Herron & Son, Elwood & McCracken, Henry McCracken and others.
The following gentlemen were then re-elected directors for the ensuing year, Messrs. John Scott, Daniel Wallace, William McCreery, R. K. Wilson, David McCandless, William P. Shinn and D. W. C. Bidwell. The direstors [sic] afterwards organized by re-electing William P. Shinn, president, T. L. Rodgers, secretary, and George A. Berry, treasurer. The directors were instructed by the meeting to close up the business of the company in all its branches, to dispose of the property and to take all legal measures necessary to enforce the company's claims for losses, [sic] Like the business firms who had grain stored in the building the company will hold the county liable.
In this connection we may say that the total loss by the fire at the elevator will reach about $250,000. The structure was erected about twelve years ago and has since been used as a storage house. The building was one hundred and twenty-five feet square and towered one hundred and forty feet towards the sky. It was a frame structure covered with slate. The total stock of the company was two hundred thousand dollars, on which a small dividend was paid last fall, and which was expected to yield another small dividend this summer.
The question of rebuilding was informally discussed, but no definite action was taken, and indeed it was impossible to determine from the conversation even the probable result in this direction. The matter was left to the discretion of the directors. The ruins of the elevator were still smoking yesterday and a hose was kept playing all day long upon them.
A Philadelphia reporter inquired at railroad headquarters in that city as to the probability of a compromise and received this in response:
"There is no compromise possible. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company is simply protecting its property against a lawless and frantic mob, which has nothing to do with this corporation. The ten per cent. reduction which took place applied to every officer and every employe [sic] of this company, from the president downward, and the assertion that some salaries were raised that they might not be affected by such reduction is utterly without foundation in fact. This company proposes to rely upon the strong arm of the law for protection, and its trains will be moved when that protection shall have been found adequate. The very slight reduction of ten per cent. that has been made is the only reduction since the year 1873, and in the interim since that time the owners of the property have suffered a diminution of revenues to the amount of forty per cent. against ten per cent. taken off the salaries of all employes [sic] ."
The reporter subsequently sent another note asking for an official statement as to the result of a conference between Colonel Scott and the engineers of the road on Tuesday. The reply was to this effect: "That the engineers are, as a body, perfectly loyal to the company. The interview was one of entire good feeling, and the engineers said that whatever might be done by any outside mobs hostile to the company, they were in no sympathy with whatever."
Governor Hartranft left this city on the Pacific Express at 2:15 yesterday morning. Accompanying him were Attorney General Lear and Colonel Quay, Secretary of the Commonwealth. The train left the West Penn depot, in Allegheny, direct for Harrisburg, the Governor saying that Harrisburg was the center of government, and as Pittsburgh was not the only affected point, he would make his headquartes at the State Capital. Colonel A. Wilson Norris, private secretary to the Governor, is still in this city to represent that official, and those wishing to communicate with the Executive will find Colonel Norris at the Monogahela House. He stopped at Blairsville Intersection yesterday morning to see General Brinton, of the Philadelphia troops.
While on his way to this city he was interviewed by a reporter of the Chicago Times, from which we make the following extract in reference to his future intentions:
"Will you make another attempt to visit the Pacific coast this season?"
"Oh, no; this settles it. I had told my family when I left them to follow me directly home, but to-day, when I found the crisis was past, I telegraphed them to turn off at Cheyenne, go down to Denver and spend some time in the Colorado parks. I shall not go after them, as I have had enough railroading for one season."
The county officials yesterday organized a force who immediately set to work recovering some of the goods which had been taken from the freight cars of the Pennsylvania road on Sunday. By six o'clock last evening they had recovered a wagon load which they stored in a warehouse on Liberty street, which has been rented by the County Commissioners for this purpose. They have in their possession the names of one hundred persons whom they know to have taken goods. These parties are requested to return all the property in their possession immediately, or they will be prosecuted. It is the intention of the County Commissioners to secure this property, so that in the event of the county being held liable for some of the losses, sustained by the railroad company and private citizens, which it no doubt will, the expense may be considerably lessened. Private individuals have already put in their claims for losses sustained. Sheriff Fife has employed fifty men to watch the ruins along the road, who will be on guard day and night. By to-day the Commissioners expect to have names of over two hundred of the pillagers. Among them are said to be men in good circumstances.
Vice President Cassatt, of the Pennsylvania Company had been stationed at Blairsville Intersection since Saturday night until yesterday, when he left for Philadelphia. Superintendent Pitcairn, of the Pittsburgh division, with several of his assistant officers had been making their headquarters at that point, but yesterday Mr. Pitcairn also left for the east It was stated that he was traveling under disguise, but there was no necessity for that and the report was doubtless an idle rumor, [sic] P. F. Smith, who held the position of Superintendent of Transportating during Hon. John Riley's congressional career, arrived from Altoona yesterday, to aid Superintendent Pitcairn in putting things in shape again. He was accompanied by Mr. Brown, Superintendent of Tracks.
Together they made a tour along the line of the ruins, and the latter stated that he could have a single track in order for the running of trains as far as Eleventh street in six hours, provided his workmen were not interrupted. He also stated that he could lay a double track in twelve hours. It is intended to commence the work at once of repairing the track. A temporary shed will be built for the accommodation of passengers.
The accommodation trains on the Central road are now running in as far as Thirty-third street. Passengers are conveyed to and from that point by omnibusses.
Although everything remains very quiet in railway circles, large crowds still continue to congregate about City Hall, numbering last night over 2,000 persons Many expressed themselves as being tired of the uncertainty that still hangs over the situation, and there is a general longing to have the troubles adjusted. Some predict that the troubles will be of long duration, while others are of a contrary opinion. The strike was the leading topic of discussion, everything else giving way before it.
Although Allegheny has so far escaped mob violence, there is no disposition to slacken efforts to put the city under complete control of the law abiding citizens. The Police Committee met again yesterday afternoon and confirmed the nomination of sixty more special policemen. A resolution was also adopted to the effect that the company of veterans now organizing be paid by the city. The company is under Capt. Lee Smith and will number one hundred men. The bridges were again guarded last night and squads of Capt. Smith's company and clubs of the lower wards were sent to several localities where trouble is anticipated.
The situation along the Fort Wayne road is the same as that of yesterday. No disturbance has occurred and the utmost vigilance of the authorities, it is generally believed, will prevent any violence in the future. The strikers appear to be growing more determined, however, than ever and do not evince the least disposition to waive their claims for the restoration of the old wages. The railway officials are acting the same way, and the fact that no negotiations are now pending makes it a matter of conjecture as to when the differences will be settled.
At the dispatcher's offie [sic] Mr. Ross is assisted by Mr. M. Jenkins, and at Allegheny Mr. John Turner, a well tried official is stationed. A rumor is hourly gaining strength to the effect that the rolling stock now located along the south track will be brought back to the yards. In this shape it will be more easily guarded by those in charge, and yet in the event of a mob such as "ran things" here, the cars and engines would certainly be more easily destroyed.
General Joseph Browne waited on Gen. Leasure yesterday and requested him to proceed with his corps to the Fort Wayne road and take charge of the property, and at the same time pledging to give him all needful assistance from armed citizens of Pittsburgh. General Leasure replied that his duty was to protect only the property of citizens, and not to use his force to settle the differences now existing between the railroad company and their employes [sic] .
Post No. 88, G. A. R., met last night and after a brief session decided to offer their services to the city. They number 75 men.
The effects of the railroad troubles on the Allegheny Postoffice are very marked. The carriers' occupation is virtually gone. Only a single paper had to be delivered on the first trip yesterday morning.
The following call, signed "Citizens," is handed in for publication:
"The citizens of the Second ward, Allegheny, are requested to take such action as may be necessary to aid in forming a company of 'Defenders of the Public Peace,' now started. All persons, especially old soldiers, are requested to enlist squads of good and sober men, and report names to J. H. Stevenson, 196 Arch street. The officers will be selected after the company is raised, and all will have a chance."
The passenger engineers of the different roads under control of the strikers last night decided that only one train shall leave the city to-day on each road and that nothing but a mail car shall be attached to each of these. This of course will stop all passenger travel, if the strikers can carry their threats into execution. The effect will doubtless be to turn the public sympathy to the side of the railroads.
© 2006–2017
All Rights Reserved
William G. Thomas
Copyright Statement