A. This dispatch is directed to Allegheny City, at the outer depot,
where Robert had his station, reads as follows:
"Operator, do anything to save property, and if engines and freight can
be moved out of the city and men enough to do it, and the strikers will
permit, run them west on north track far enough to be safe from any
damage from Pittsburgh men. Give copy to Ammon. G. S. G."
If you desire an explanation of these, those initials signify "George
S. Griscom," whose duty it was to send them. A gentleman by the name of
W. A. Routson occupied his place.
Q. What position?
A. The position of Mr. Griscom, during his absence.
Q. What is Mr. Griscom's position?
A. He is a railroad official. Kind of assistant superintendent, Mr.
Layng is general superintendent, and those gentlemen are next to him.
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. That was not signed by Griscom?
A. Not that. Routson signed these dispatches. I got that information
from Robert. There is something on the other side. The operator who
signs "K," says, "Ammon wants to know if you want the sixty-eight armed
men."
Q. Signed by the operator?
A. Signed by the operator who signs himself "K." The answer of "G. S.
G.," "Yes; if he is in good faith to defend the company's property." If
it is in order, I might give you a little explanation.
Q. Certainly.
A. On Sabbath morning early, I guess, as early as five o'clock--I live
on the south side--I got up, and I got my horse and buggy, and I put
Robert's mother in with a younger son of mine, and asked them to drive
over. I read in the _Chronicle_ that Bob was among the strikers, and I
supposed Bob was in the oil regions at the time; I did not know that he
was in Allegheny. I sent Mrs. Ammon over with the request to Robert,
that if he thought he would be involved in the strike he had better get
in the buggy with his mother and come to Birmingham, and stay until the
trouble was over, and I gave the little fellow, who was in the buggy
some money to pay his fare in the street car. She informed me that Bob
would willingly have complied with my request, but that he could not
leave. There was a very great many tramps there, and he and the
strikers had to get arms to keep these men away from robbing the cars,
and for this reason he could not follow my advice, and go to
Birmingham.
By Mr. Means:
Q. I would like to know this before you go any further. Are those
telegrams that Robert Ammon received from the railroad officials during
the time that he had charge of the road?
A. Yes, sir; this is the commencement of them. He had not charge on
Sunday. He took charge of it on Monday. The next telegram is directed
to Bob. It says:
"Ammon, a large crowd of men going down the Brighton road, where
coaches and cars are on the main track, east of Manchester. Can you
protect them?
"G. S. G."
Q. Who is "G. S. G."?
A. Assistant superintendent Griscom. Here is one directed to the
initials "W. F. R." That means William F. Ross. He was also official of
the railroad.
Q. Dispatcher, wasn't he?
A. Yes; I think so.
"Tell Ammon, if the freight cannot be moved, we would like to move
the engines any way. Tell him to help the C. & P., too. [That means
Cleveland and Pittsburgh.]
"G. S. G."
Q. Were these sent by wire--by telegraph?
A. Yes; he got them.
Q. By telegraph?
A. Yes, sir. Here is an original that is in Bob's handwriting.
"J. D. L.: [That means, J. D. Layng.]
"I have just sent Ed. Compbell and Paisley to Mayor Phillips for
twenty-five police to watch cars, as our men are completely
prostrated and wish to obtain some rest. They will watch with
police. Can you make some arrangement to get victuals for these men
on watch?
"AMMON."
They got a little provisions--that came a little previous, that ought
to come in afterwards. Here is another addressed to J. D. L.:
"Can you arrange to send me to-day some hundreds of cartridges?
Answer me, as I expect to have use for them.
"AMMON."
Here is another one:
"AMMON:
"Have instructed Ross and Parkin to arrange for provisions. See
them.
"J. D. L."
That means J. D. Layng.