The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, August 03, 1877, Image 4
THE STRIKERS' RIOT IN PITTSBURG.
A Militinnmn'tf Vivid Account of the Terrible
Scene* of Saturduy N'ujht.
PlTTHllUUO, Pa , July 22.?"Great God!
preserve me tVuui another such night as lust
night!" suit] a member of Company G, of
the First Itogimcnt of Philadelphia, to your
representative to day. The young man was
a clerk in a wholesale tea house, and had
left, at homo a widowed mother and a number
of sisters depending upon him for support.
He had deserted the regiment when
it had arrived at the United States Arsenal,
nnd secreted himself bohiud a great pile
of boards until tho mob had left, then came
out and begged protection from Maj. Jtuffington,
the commandant of the arsenal.?
lie had thrown atfay his uniform and appeared
in citizens' dress, and eagerly plied
me with questions as to how he could get
into the city, and what train might he take
which would carry him safest itnd soonest
home.
<101 NO INTO TIIB KICIIT.
"I servod in tho war of the rebellion,"
Haid he, "and have seen wild lighting, and
heard oftentimes the melancholy uiusic of
whistling bullets, but the night of terror
such as last night 1 never experienced, aud
hope to Uod I never will again. It was
this way: We came into Pittsburg, 1 must
confess, bent on having a little light if any
was going on. We had little to eat, some
sandwiches aud a tin cup of coffee, and at
uooti yesterday we had some sort of nourishment
dealt ont to ns at the Union depot.
When we arrived at Pittsburg we were all
in good spirits, nevertheless, and responded
with alacrity to the command to move out
to Twenty-eighth stcct. where the strikers
had gathered in force. When wo arrived
here, CSon. liritton, commanding, formed us
in front and rear 011 the outside of a network
of track at t'nis point and stationed
* -? L.r a *< if k if a t Inllnifv minu
bill- l\ejr?"iiu uiucijf, mm im umuii^b"" I
iu a little flat plot on ike hillside, elevation
perhaps ten feet ab^vc the. level of the
traeks. At this moment the crowd began
to scatter, not in retreat, but apparently tc
make room for the military.
IIIHSKK, YBI.L8 ANIl (lltOANS.
As we rested on our arms the silence ol
. . vk... .iuu ? oturiii tii
V'T ? -Then
- * a platoon of our regiment was ordered tc
clear the crowd from the head of Twenty
/ eighth street, which was blockading the
tracks of the railroad. The sheriff and his
deputies mingled with the troops and endeavored
to make himself heard, urging the
crowd to fall hack and retire to their homes.
X He could not make himself heard, owing to
the confusion and the cries and the yells of
the people. The platoon of soldiers pushed
into the crowd, surging them baok until the
order '"Halt!" was given. At this time the
hillside was literally covered with men, women
and children, mostly spectators, I
judged, who were iu a manner penned up.
All this time the cries and yells of the crowd
grew louder and fiercer and the military
made preparations to form a hollow square
on a platform of tracks, as near the Twenty-ciiilith
street, criwaing [mssible, with
two Qatling guns in the centre. The Pittsburg
troops and the-Fourteenth regiment, I
believe, wore drawn up in line, but remained
paBsivo.
THE niAUUE ov THE Hit ATS.
After some manocuvering. rendered difficult
by the jostling of the crowd, three
sides of a square were formed by our two
regiments?First and Second?numbering
from four to five hundred men. One side
of the square faced the hill, one faced to
the cast, and the troops on the other side
stood with their backs to Twenty-eighth
street and faced also the hill. The crowd was
alow iu clearing a space for the cast side of
the square, and the soldiers began to force
them back. This occasioned some scuffling,
several of the men taking hold of the
muskets and saying, "You would not shoot
workingmau, would you?" while those on
the outskirts oontiuuud to hoot and yell.?
ATTout tliis moment the Grays were ordered
to charge on the crowd which was impeding
theui. This was done amidst the most intense
con fusiou and excitement; hut the
troops pushed back the throng and retired.
A BAYONET CIIAROK.
The first regiment, when the crowd began
again to press the men, was ordered tocharge,
which they did with fixed bayonets, and in
this charge one of the strikers is reported to
have been wounded by a bayonet thrust.?
The crowd now began pelting us with stones,
and some of our men were hurt more or less.
This was tho match that fired the train, and
goaded to frenzy, either through fear of violence
from the crowd or stung to desperation
by being hit with missiles, we fired, and
fire we did. Some say there was no order
? givon to lira, but cino of tho guns in tho
hands of a member of Company A went off,
mm outers, mistaking tins lor an order to
fire, levelled their pieces and discharged
theui. This may be, hut 1 heard distinctly
the order to fire, and did not discharge my
piece until such an order was given. The
firing was sudden and unexpected, and
seemed to cotne upon the vast crowd like a
stroke of lightning, find it was scarcely realized
until here and there a man was seen
to fall. Along the brow of the hill ran a
deep ditch, into which those who had enough
presence of mind cast themselves. After
the first shot the troops fired in every directum.
The first volley swept over the hillside
and was delivered hy those troops nearest
the hill. The second side of the square
was along the track, and the others, so far
as could ho ascertained, wheeled and fired
down Twenty-eighth street.
A NIOIIT IN TilK HOtlNKIKM SK.
IJefore dark, when the dead and wounded
had been carried oflF, and the crowd ^1 over
the fright and commenced to gather again
in great numbers, we were ordered into the
roundhouse, as affording a shelter for the
night and hotter protection from the stray
shots heard every now and then With the
approach of nightfall wo got hungry and
tired, but wore consoled in a measure by the
announcement that supper hud becu ordered
and would arrive in a brief tiuio. At dusk,
peeping out of the windows of the roundhouse,
we saw the wagons carrying our rations
captured by the crowd, dishes aud their
contents hurled into the streets, while the
crowd cheered like demons. As the crowd
in the streets was augmented with the approach
of night, all thoughts of sleep were
given over, and guards stationed at thkvmp
dows of the roundhouso and iftpo pKWJv^"'
each of the gates leading into tho yards.
THE SCENE AT MII)NKJHT^*
At midnight the crowd ontslde, as we
could observe from the windows, had grown
into many thousands, and shots were fired at
us from out of the yards of the company in
close proximity to the roundhouse. We replied
to them, with what effect we were unable
to ascertain. When the firing was started
in the box cars we became very seriously
alarmed. 8ouie few men, I have heard,
made their way out of their quarters in citizen's
clothes and escaped (ruin their perilous
position. We could see long lines of cars
one after the other hurtling, hut dared not
expose ourselves to the guns of the uinb.
I'A ITI / It K OF A tlUN.
The fire slowly but surely crept down on
us, and about this time the crowd cajihared
one of the guns belonging to Hutchinson s
Mattery, of Pittsburg, and attempted to get
it into position to firo upon us. It was heavily
loaded, wo kuow, and if it was fired in
close proximity to us it must have done
heavy damage. However, we prevented
them from putting it in position, as we covered
it well, and we were in quarters where
we could pick oft" the men without much iu-;
jury to ourselves. The number of times the
freight cars ran between us and the gun
shielded the strikers from our shots, but they
finally gave the matter up and hauled the
gun away. All this time the situation was
becoming more and more serious. The fire
, was creeping down upon us with the certainty
of driving us out sooner or later. The
crowd, too, was growing more dense and bold,
,, and threats of violence, should we come out,
1 v . .1.. I _.l A --r 'L- *1 sk
in the yard where the ears were burning we
someth:
\
UIN I)KR 1
new .store at r
james h.
HAVING purchased (lie entiro interest of his
. ftorc, respectfully announces to the old
Krieiuln anc
oi uio lormer owner that lie \v
g-rociery
j\^t Llio <>
and will always keep a full i
PLAN.TATIO:
Table and other Cutlery,
Plows and Plo
Ca
WOODET
A L L BRANDS 0F
which lie 1
1* 1? I O 10 H TO H u :
4
1 respectfully invite the old lric
and any number of new ones, to
CALL AN I
You will find two "Live young ]
to wait on vou. and what we en mi
asking lor or having.
Call at tlft<3 Rod
If you want good bargains, polii
lion.
TO THOSE I
HAVING sold out my entire interest ii
-anxious to settle up all outstanding iiule
any way indebted to ?nc to come forward and
My Hunks and Accounts are still at the St<
James II. Rodger, is empowered to make si
March 2
A r riONTION <JOTrl
Yon can save TIME, TR<
By using the Celebrated '
WEST'S GUANO
ItAI.ElNTINE'S < * O
Xf sinufitrtiircri by CJOWEK. ( OX <
W. A. NICHOLSON,
March 16
" " L
could see mcu pillaging, while their old rusty
arms were mingled with bright barrels which
flashed iu the glare of destruction.
Til K CARS ON KIRK.
Suddenly down the grade came one car
after another, some laden with oil, which was
on tire aud burning fiercely. These cars
were seut down in order that they might ignite
the woodon work of the roundhouse
aud the company's lumber yard. They were
heavily laden with combustible material,
uud when the box oars took fire they burst
and scattered the con tell WffB Wtffy direction,
dealing out disaster with lavish hand. The
machine shop between Twenty-fifth and
Twenty-sixth streets then caught fire, and
soon our building was surrounded with a wall
of fire. The heat was so intense that we
were obliged to retire from the windows and
gather in the centre of the building. Many
of us would have run out, but the danger
outside from the violence of the crowd was
as much feared as the firo element which
was fast approaching us. At dawn of day a
consultation of officers was held, which was
ooton f ! ?*.? ' f # tvoe lIlAII llnpt.
|MUIUII^<;U 1UI ?-?UIIIU nun. IV " ?o vi?v?? ?vv.
dod wc must go out and face the angry devils,
who inudo the streets in the neighborhood
black with their presence.
It was better to run tho risk of being shot
down than burned to death, and so we filed
out in a compact body, and preceded by the
Qntliug guns, with Major-General Jirittou,
Brigadier-Generals Matthews aud Land at
the head. It was lively times, I tell you,
reaching the United States arsenal, where
we thought we would b; protected. The
sentries here refused to allow us to enter
and the command held a conference witli
our officers. A number of us scaled the
walls and took refuge lroui the mob belli ml
the shrubbery and piles of shells and cannon
Wo remained here until the rest of the partj
formed in line and matched up the street
I thought we should be all cut to pieces
aud having no relish for this sort of death 1
embraced the readiest means to escape Iron
it. I never saw such a wicked, dcspcrati
mob in all my life. How any of u? cscapct
with our lives is a mystery. Last night
had given up all hopes of seeing home again
If the crowd could have got arms I am sun
not. n*'.- ?r us wouia have come out of tin
roundhouse alivo.
[NG NEW
TIE S(0)1V.
rHE OLD STAND.
. RODGER
father, Mr. JOHN KODGKK, in hig Grocer;
1 CiistonujVH
phr1 -continue the
BUSINESS
1<1 Ktand,
utoek of nil lrin<1i> .0' CI
.vv/v.% V* mti uiu*.:o Ui VlUtUia*?*,
N SUPPLIES,
w Steel,
nned Fruits, Moats, Oysters, &c.
N" WAliE.
TOBACCO, & e & c
wi 11 sell sit
I T T II K T I 31 E H .
nds and customers of the house
) T It Y M E.
men," standing ready at all times
ot show 5ind sell you is not worth
Old Stjind
to attention, and perfect satislacJAMES
II. RODGER.
TV 1> 1?: HTED.
1 llio Grocery I'usiucss, to my son, i am
btcdncss. I, therefore, call upon those in
make settlements immediately.
>ro. and if I am not present my son, Mr.
cttlcmcnts.
JOHN KOI >U Kit.
8 tf
rorv
AVD MONEY,
'FARMERS' FRIEND'
DISTRIBUTOR,
TON I? I j A IN T 10 It ,
A M4RKIXV. (iroenvillr. S.
Agont, Union C. H.
10 ^,Ul*
stbaightotjtish
triumfhant|
* .. i
??? *
? Wado
ITniii|>U>n
IS
Our Governor!
: A Democratic Congress
ANI) A
i
1 Democratic Legislature;
, AMD TilK
[
1
UJN1UJN TIMES
Wll.L fllVR
f
A Weekly NyuopslH or the I*re
eeediiiRH of
BOTH THESE BODIES'. *
Y
ry ow is tiio 'JL'imo
TO SUBSCRIBE.
Now is tlio Time
)
TO ADVERTISE
, A NEW ERA HAS DAWNED UPOl
THE
STATE AND NATION!
Till-: NKWS WILL BE STIRRING
AND INTERESTING TO ALL CLASSES
OF TIIE PEOPLE.
FOR $2 IN CLUBS,
You will Keep Poatod a Wholo Year.
Single Subscribers, $2.50,
-
PAY WHAT YOU OWE mid RENEW
mi. ? - ? 9
I Greenville *nd Columbia B. R. . ,3
1 - OF SjEfePULE.
ip^s^^SfE^iSB^^^^exceptol
connoting with Night Train? on S?uth C?rnttn&
Railroad up and down. On and niter .
IIONDAT, May 29th, the following *W b*tbo ?
schedule:
j ;; 7 *6 *"
Arrive at Grcenvilt?. 6.85 p m
DOWN.
Leave Greenville at 8.05 a m
Leave Helton 9.55 a in
Leave Cokcsbury 11.88 a in
Leave Newberry 2.40 p iu
Leave Alston 4.20 p m
Arrive at Columbia 5.55 p in
ANDEKSOfTOKANCH AND IJLUE R1DGK
DIVISION.
DOWN. CP.
Leave Wnlhalla....f?.15 a m Arrive 7.15 p m
Leave Perryville...7.00 a m Arrive 0.40 p in
I Leave l'endleton...7.50 a m Arrive 0.00 p in
I.onvr A iwloi-min K n m A ppSvo F\ f?t n m
i "V ' " " - ... JF M.
Arrive at Helton...9.-10 a ni Leave 4.00 p ni
THOMAS DODAMEA1),
General Superintendent.
J anna Norton, Jr., General Ticket Agent.
Juno 1870. 23 tf
HAMPTON HOUSEA
MAIN NTKKET, V
SPARTANBURG, So. O a.
S. B. Calcutt,
(Formerly of Palmetto House,)
Proprietor.
HOUSE WELL VENTILATED A
ROOMS NKWMg FURNISHED AND OARPKT^^
El>?TABLES SUPPLIED WITH THE
BEST IN MARKET?ATTENTIVE
SERVANTS?OMNIBUS
TO ALL TRAINS.
TERES $2.00 PER RAY.
Jan. 12, 1?77 1 tf
PAINTS AND OILS"
u,??arid 4
MI'S** Turpentine,
Keroseno Oil,
Colors in Oil,
Varnishes,
Window Glass, Putty,
Snml Paper and Glazier's Falnta.
For Sale by A. IRWIN k COMarch
2 _ 8 ' tf_
ENCOURAGE HOME PEOPLE
AND
' Homo Entorpr i?c.
GEORGE S. HACKER & SON'S
FACTORY,
Charleston, S. C.
THE only Door, Sash and Blind Factory
owned and managed by a Carolinian in this
City. ALL WORK GUARANTEED.
Always on band a large Stock of Doors, Sash.
Blinds, Mouldings, Brackets, Scroll and Turned.
Wurk or every description. ~
Glass, White Leads, and Builders' Hardware^
at Manufacturers' Prices.
G. & T. Flooring Boards, and dressed Lumber
of every description, delivered at Union at the
loirrsl figure*.
March 8, 1876. 0 ly
. SAMUEL S. STOKES,
Attorney nt Luav
and
TRIAL JUSTICE,
Union C. II., S. C'.,
WILL practice in the Circuit and Probate
Courts.
All business in the jurisdiction of a Trial Jus*
tice attended to with promptness.
Special attention given to collections, Ac.
Olhce for the present, third door to tho left in
the Court House.
March 2 8 If
wm.f.ttf.nokk. ii. i?. kpmono.
Ettenger & Edmond.
RICHMOND, VA.
M u n li l'n ? t u r o i' h of"
Portable and Stationary Engines,
BOILERS OF ALL KINDS,
CIRCULAR SAW MILLS,
GIUST MILLS,
MILL GKARING,
SHAFTINO, PULLEYS, kc.
H AMERICAN TURBINE WATER WHEEL,
CAMERON'S SPECIAL STEAM PUMPS,
Send for Cutnlogue.
Nov. 10, 1876 45 1 y
REMOVAL.
F. 91. FARR A CO.,
HAVE removed their Stock of Groceries (o
the Store opposite B. F. Rawls k Co.,
alongside the Railroad, where they will always bo
pleased to meet their customers.
A full Stock of Groceries and Plantation sup,
plies will always be kept for sale at the lowest
' market prices.
Feb 2 4 it
Scuppernong Wine*
WHITE Imperial Scuppernong Wine at
A. IRWIN & CO'S.
March 30 12 tf
Grnpr lirnmly.
nilUK r.r??D II-"...1"
ivi inoiiuiiim purpose ?t
I A. 1KW1N Si CO'S. i
M arch 80 12 If "
Pure Corn Whiskey.
13URE Mountain Torn Whiskey, for medicina'
. purposes, for sale at
A. IRWIN, & CO S.
Fch 0 tr
Tons ! Teas !!
11TINE RInck and Orccn Tea for sale at
? A. IRWIN & CO .'a. ?
Fc,) ?-.a: - r' tf
Choice C undlcM.
DELTOHTFUL Icc Cream Candy, Centcnlial,
Fruit, Cocoanut, Chocolate, Pea Nut, and all
other Fancy Candies.
B. F. RAWL8 A CO.,
No 1, East Union.
April 6 18^ tf
Eggs Without Eggs.
AC I! EAT preparation for making Cakes Pud.
dings, Fritters. Ratter Cttk^s, Muffins and
j any other Pastry without Eggs . * ' "? - .
B F. It AWI.fi k CO.
No 1, East Unio'rt.
April C 18 K tf