PITTSBURGH, _Wednesday, February 20, 1878_.
Pursuant to adjournment, the committee met at three o'clock. All
present except Messrs. Means, Reyburn, and Torbert.
* * * * *
William N. Riddle, being duly _sworn_, testified as follows:
By Mr. Lindsey:
Q. Where do you reside?
A. In the city of Pittsburgh.
Q. What is your business?
A. Cashier of the Penn Rank.
Q. State whether you had any negotiations or any conference with the
strikers during the riots of July last, and if so, what it was?
A. I had conversations with the strikers on, I think, Friday before the
riot, and Sunday of the riot.
Q. State what the conference was on Friday--that is, you mean Friday,
the 21st of July?
A. Friday before the riot. The conversation was at East Liberty, with
the strikers. I went there to see about some stock that had been
consigned to us. While there, I got in conversation with them. They
seemed to demand their rights of the railroad, but they didn't want to
inconvenience any stock dealers there, nor anybody else--didn't seem to
want to interfere with the business--wanted their rights--seemed
peaceable enough to me on Sunday. I suppose the paper that is
here--that is what I am to testify--in regard to that, (the paper
referred to by the witness is the paper written to W. C. McCarthy, and
will be found in the testimony of Doctor Donnelly,) I was requested, I
think, by Major McCarthy, after the citizens meeting on Sunday, at the
city hall, to go to Twenty-eighth street and see if I could make any
arrangements, or see what the feeling was out among the strikers. I
went there, and found this man Cunningham--I don't say it was him, it
was a man that was pointed out to me as Cunningham. He said he was
willing to go down and join Captain McMunn, and help us citizens
suppress the mob. Then this paper was to go to the mayor. I met some
one on the corner who said he was going there, and he, this man
Cunningham said, would deliver the note properly, and he sent this note
to the mayor. This man Cunningham said, that he also thought the
Pennsylvania railroad had treated them wrong, but that he was very much
opposed to the destruction of property, and that he was willing to join
with the citizens, and go down and help suppress the mob then going
on--I suppose they were at that time. I couldn't state what hour this
was. They must have been in and about the Union depot and elevator.
Q. Who is the man Cunningham. Do you know about his history?
A. I know nothing at all. Never saw him before or since this day.
Wouldn't know him now.
Q. Was he a railroad man?
Q. He was a brakeman or engineer on the railroad--one of the strikers
said to be at the meeting at the city hall. I cannot testify that that
was the man.
Q. This is the note you sent to the mayor after the conversation with
Cunningham?
A. Yes.
Q. Will you read this, so the reporter can take it down?
"HONORABLE W. C. MCCARTHY: I have gone to Twenty-sixth street.
Cunningham, of the strikers, with Captain McMunn, say they will try to
go down at once to new city hall to join you. I will do my best. Tell
Doctor Donnelly; and if they come, see that they get instructions."
"Instructions" meant--I suppose that means get instruction where to go.
Q. Do you know whether this was delivered to the mayor or not?
A. That I cannot say.
Q. What time did you send this to him?
A. That I wouldn't like to say. I suppose it was about four o'clock in
the afternoon--Sunday afternoon.
Q. Who is Captain McMunn?
A. He was also a prominent man among the strikers. He made a speech at
the city hall that is recorded. A very good hearted man. I knew him
before.
Q. What was his situation on the railroad; do you know?
A. I don't.
Q. Was he in the employ of the railroad company at the time the strike
broke out?
A. I cannot say that he was then. I was always led to believe he was
before. I used to live at the Union depot, and I know most of these
people by sight. I have seen him several times, and talked to him on
the street since the riot.
Q. Do you know whether he is in the employ of the company now or not?
A. I don't, sir.
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. Did you understand from the conference you had with Cunningham that
the strikers would unite with good citizens to suppress the riot and
disperse the mob?
A. Yes; that some of the strikers would--the ones inclined peaceably?
Q. What did Mayor McCarthy say in reply to this note? Did you ever
learn?
A. I never got an answer. In fact, I don't think I ever asked, because
when I came down the people had all gone up to the depot--all that
seemed to want to join. In fact I am positive I never said anything
about it afterwards. I suppose if they had gone there they would have
been assigned to proper places.
Q. Were they to act in conjunction with Doctor Donnelly and his armed
force?
A. Yes; that was the understanding. I think Captain McMunn told me to
go to this man Cunningham, and that he would help us.
Q. They were to join Doctor Donnelly?
A. Yes.
Q. Did they ever join Doctor Donnelly?
A. That I can't say. I don't know. They might have joined without my
knowing it.
Q. State, if you know, what efforts were made by the city authorities
to get a force to suppress the riot and disperse the mob?
A. At what particular time, or do you mean in general?
Q. At any time during the riots--during the violence?