RIOT AND RUIN.
Progress of the Great Strikes—Social Disorders—“The Dangerous
Classes”—The Commune Comes Upon the Scene—Intense Excitement
Throughout the Country—Dealings with Death in Baltimore—Alarm
Throughout the Country—Proclamations and Orders.
Those who had cherished the hope that the consequences of the railroad
strike along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway would be local
and limited, were doomed to be disappointed. The strikes were extending
in all directions. It was no longer the railroad men, as a class, who
were involved. Other classes of laborers had become enlisted. The
situation had become extremely critical. The very foundations of society
were shaken in their lowest depths. Like the wild tumult and commotion
of a midnight storm, sweeping across both land and sea, with vivid
flashes of lightning illuminating its pathway and giving new awe to its
ravages, was the mighty current of passion and hate which threatened the
destruction of both the social and political institutions of this
country on the 20th day of July, 1877. From the very first the cause of
the strikers had been gathering strength. In West Virginia the masses of
the people were open in their sympathy toward them. Everywhere there was
an undercurrent of sympathy with their object. Thus far the railroad men
had committed few, or no acts which the general public regarded as
lawless. From the Baltimore and Ohio road, on which the first trouble
occurred, the strike had extended to the Connellsville Branch, the
Pittsburgh and Fort Wayne, the Erie, and the Great Pennsylvania Railway
System. To the bands of railroad strikers had come a nondescript
assemblage of canal-boatmen, truckmen, unemployed mechanics and artisans
belonging to various trades, and more dreadful than all, vast swarms of
vicious idlers, vagrants and tramps. The whole mass had been transformed
into a lawless mob. In the cities the rabble composed of vagabonds,
tramps and thieves, were on the alert, ready to plunder, burn, and cut
throats on the slightest provocation.
To complicate matters, in all the principal centers of population and
seats of trade, the Internationalists, an association with which the
American people had heretofore had small acquaintance, became suddenly
extremely active, and dangerously bold. The Commune, even worse than the
Internationalists, joined in the tumult, and boldly demanded concessions
which would have proved subversive of all government, all social order.
Coal miners came from their black pits and joined their voices to swell
the universal tumult.
Such was the condition of affairs in the most populous and wealthiest
regions of the country on the morning of the 20th of July. The
conferences, and mysterious assemblages of the previous day had not been
unproductive of effects disastrous to the supremacy of law and the good
order of society. It was a time of dread even to the coolest and most
daring.
The strikers had invoked a power which they themselves could not
control. While the contest was between them and their employers, while
they committed no other unlawful acts than such as impeded operations of
railways, while they confined themselves to petty acts of annoyance to
the public and injury to railway companies, there can be no question as
to the fact that a vast multitude of people sincerely wished them to be
successful. Right or wrong, there was a feeling abroad that to stop a
train, not only by quitting work themselves, but by actively interfering
to prevent others from working, was at most but a venial fault, an error
perhaps, but scarcely a violation of law. There is too much of the
opinion entertained by the masses that the property of corporations is
not to be regarded in the same light as the property of individuals. And
this widespread error rendered it possible for such scenes as we are
about to describe, to be enacted.
While centers of interest had multiplied indefinitely during the 18th
and 19th, yet the chief interest was still concentrated at Baltimore and
along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, as late as the 20th
and even after that date.
The meeting at Cumberland, Maryland, held on the 19th, and an account of
which is given in a former chapter, created no little uneasiness in the
minds of those in authority; not so much because of what was done, as on
account of what was threatened. The speeches of Jones, O’Donnell and
others on that occasion, unquestionably had a bad influence on the more
recklessly disposed members of the mass of strikers there assembled. So
threatening was the condition of affairs at that point, that the
officers of the Railway Company, made application to Governor Carroll,
of Maryland, for a military force to protect their interests. The
strikers included canal-boatmen, and some mill men and other laborers,
together with a few of the railroad strikers, who had retired from
Martinsburg after the arrival of General French with the regulars at
that point, had taken up a position at Sir John’s Run, a dangerous place
on the road some twelve miles from Martinsburg. This band now numbered
some four hundred persons, and had degenerated into a turbulent, lawless
mob. The presence of the military at Martinsburg had enabled the Railway
Company to despatch a large number of their delayed trains from that
station. But the strikers at Cumberland, Sir John’s Run, and other
places, not having the fear of General French and his regulars before
them, resolved to stop all trains that attempted to pass. Accordingly,
the rioters at the first named place, proceeded to switch off every
train that arrived from the East or the West, and drag the engineers and
firemen off the locomotives, in many cases handling them very roughly,
and threatening them with severer treatment if they attempted to operate
trains on the road during the continuance of the strike.
At Sir John’s Run, the turbulent mob there assembled, stopped a train
which was guarded by soldiers, climbed upon the engine, and threw the
engineer and fireman to the ground. This mob had procured arms, and was
prepared to resist a considerable force. Many of them were supplied with
Henry and Winchester repeating rifles, and from this circumstance were
able to overawe any train-guard likely to be sent out.
Meanwhile, train after train was dispatched from Martinsburg. They
commenced to move them at seven o’clock the morning of the 20th, and
moved a train both East and West every thirty minutes. Few of these,
however, reached their destination on time. Early in the day General
French issued stringent orders, forbidding any person to approach the
yards and tracks of the Railway Company, under any pretence, no matter
whether friendly or hostile. Strong guards were posted, and a picket
line thrown out to enforce this order. Only the persons connected with
the operation of the trains were permitted to enter the guarded
precincts.
The strikers sullenly retired to a neighboring height, whence they
viewed the operations below, and occasionally taunted the trainmen while
engaged at their work. The assurance of protection, with offers of extra
wages, had its effect on engineers and firemen who were idle, and by the
morning of the 20th the Company had no difficulty in securing all the
men they wanted. The small force at his command rendered it impossible
for the commander of the federal forces at Martinsburg to afford
sufficient guards for all the trains.
In the afternoon General French issued the following order of warning to
the rioters:
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES TROOPS, }
MARTINSBURG, W. Va., July 20, 1877. }
Due notification having been given by the proclamation of the President
of the United States to those concerned, the undersigned warns all
persons engaged in the interception of travel on the Baltimore and Ohio
Rail road that the trains must not be impeded, and whoever undertakes
it, do so at their own peril.
(Signed) WILLIAM H. FRENCH,
Brevet Major-General United States Army,
Colonel Fourth Artillery Commanding.
It was also determined to break up the encampment of the mob at Sir
John’s Run. Accordingly, a train was sent out and with it went Captain
Litchfield, with two companies of soldiers to the point of disturbance.
On the approach of the troops, the canal-boatmen betook themselves to
the Maryland side of the river, or to their boats. Two trains with fires
out, which had been stopped by them, were fired up and sent on to the
West. A detachment of troops were left at this post to overawe the mob,
and afford protection to passing trains. The strikers everywhere
expressed a determination to hold out until their demands were complied
with. A mob numbering about eight hundred men took possession of a
portion of the track of the railway near Baltimore, and compelled all
trains which started out to be backed into the yard again. This gang was
not composed of railroad men, but consisted of unemployed and vicious
persons of the city, in sympathy with the strikers.
Lieutenant Curtis, commanding a detachment of regulars, was sent by
General French to afford protection to the trains. The result of the
expedition is thus related by that officer, in a despatch to General
French.
“The train was stoned at Sir John’s Run, but no one was injured. The
rain doubtless prevented a large gathering. Reached Cumberland without
molestation at 12:45 A. M. Torpedoes on the track notified the strikers
at Keyser of our coming. The regular engineer and fireman were taken off
by the strikers and the train run on a siding. About one hundred
strikers are at the depot now. My detachment is too small for effective
operations, and there are poor accommodations. Shall I remain here,
retire to Cumberland or return to Martinsburg?”
The force at his command not being sufficiently large to warrant any
further reduction, Lieutenant Curtis was ordered back to Martinsburg.
Practically the attempt to open the road through the aid of the military
forces of the United States, had come to an end, as the strikers had
possession at Cumberland, Keyser, and several other important stations.
The situation at Cumberland had become alarming. There the strikers,
their sympathizers, and whole troops of tramps who had come in and
joined them, numbered about five hundred men. The men in the large iron
works in the place were discontented, and at the point of joining the
lawless bands. Towards the close of the afternoon, the crowds of idlers
had increased to such an extent, and become so threatening in their
demonstrations, that an urgent appeal was telegraphed to Governor
Carroll for assistance. The Governor had already been advised of the
critical condition of affairs at that point, and had immediately on his
arrival in Baltimore consulted with the railroad officials as to the
best means for suppressing the disorders, and had arrived at a
determination to send General Herbert, with the Fifth Regiment, Maryland
National Guard. In pursuance of this purpose, the following order was
issued:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, }
BALTIMORE, July 20, 1877. }
_Brigadier-General James R. Herbert, Commander First Brigade, Md. N.
G._
SIR:—You will proceed at once with the Fifth Regiment of your command to
the city of Cumberland to aid in the suppression of riot and lawlessness
along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, in this State, and
there await further orders.
(Signed) JOHN LEE CARROLL,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
The Governor being fully informed of all the facts bearing on the wild
disorders in a portion of his State, resolved upon issuing the following
proclamation, which was at once made public.
GOVERNOR CARROLL’S PROCLAMATION.
_Whereas_, It has come to the knowledge of the Executive that
combinations of men have been formed at various points along the line of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in this State, and that a conspiracy
exists, the object of which is to impede the traffic and interfere with
the legitimate business of the said Railroad Company; and,
_Whereas_, Various acts of lawlessness and intimidation to effect this
purpose have been perpetrated in this State by bodies of men with whom
the local authorities are, in some instances, incompetent to deal; and,
_Whereas_, It is of the first importance that good order should
everywhere prevail, and that citizens of every class should be
protected;
Therefore, I, John Lee Carroll, Governor of Maryland, by virtue of the
authority vested in me, do hereby issue this, my proclamation, calling
upon all citizens of this State to abstain from acts of lawlessness, and
aid lawful authorities in the maintenance of peace and order.
Given under my hand and the great seal of the State of Maryland, at the
city of Baltimore, this twentieth day of July, 1877.
(Signed) JOHN LEE CARROLL, Governor.
By the Governor,
R. C. Holiday, Secretary of State.
In obedience to the orders of the Governor, General Herbert summoned the
officers and men of his command to repair to their armory on North
Howard street at once, and there await further orders. This order was
promulgated about three o’clock in the afternoon. The men began to
assemble, but without alacrity. At five o’clock not more than one
hundred men were found to be present. A train to carry them West was
being prepared, and the militia-men then assembled in the armory on
North Howard street fully expected to be transferred to the seat of war
out in the mountain regions of the West. Such, however, was not to be
the case. Baltimore was even then on the eve of one of the most
momentous events in her history. The Spirit of violence was brooding
over the city—was destined to have her streets reddened with blood
before the sun rose on the morrow.
All the afternoon the crowds at various points in the city had been
augmenting with every passing hour. About the railway depots,
especially, there were dense masses of people congregated. There was an
unwonted air of excitement visible among the pedestrians, who poured
through the streets. The Mayor, through information obtained of the
police, was convinced that the city was in danger of riotous
demonstrations.
In the neighborhood of the armories vast masses of people had collected,
and these hooted and jeered the assembling militia-men. In the
neighborhood of the armory of the Fifth Regiment, in North Howard
street, the thoroughfares were literally packed by a throng of people of
all ages, and both sexes. Women taunted the soldiers, and cheered for
the strikers. Nor were the feelings of the mob vented alone in
tantalizing language. A crowd of roughs stationed themselves on the
sidewalk, opposite the armory, with bricks and stones, and in some
instances pistols, and began to throw at the soldiers within, through
the windows. The appearance of a militia-man at a window was greeted by
a perfect storm of missiles. Several shots were fired. The gathering
soldiers had great difficulty in forcing their way through the crowd,
and ran the risk of being torn in pieces when they attempted to effect
an entrance into the building.
Moment by moment the storm of passion gathered in volume and force. It
was evident that the situation of the city was perilous in the extreme.
The police force was powerless to effect a dispersion of the rioters.
Disaster and death threatened to walk hand-in-hand through the streets
of the ill-fated city.
During the day, the German section of the Internationalists, otherwise
known as “The Workingmen’s Party of the United States,” held a largely
attended meeting at their hall at Nos. 43 and 45 East Pratt street, and
discussed the situation. Christopher Hesse, made a speech, in which he
declared the present movement was a revolution, and offered the
opportunity to the Internationalists to carry out their principles. “The
government,” he said, “should own all the railroads, and the workingmen
should constitute the government.” He called upon them to rise and
assert their rights, even though it should be necessary to deluge the
streets of Baltimore in blood.
Another meeting of the same character was held in the afternoon at No.
20 Bond street. The persons who attended this place were principally
Bohemians and Poles. An individual named Frank Wovrinna, a late
importation from Prague, seemed to take the lead in this demonstration.
His sentiments and purposes were on a level with those expressed by
Hesse.
At No. 261 Battery avenue, still another convocation of the
Internationalists assembled, and one John George Ricker, seemed to
breathe the spirit of his own fiery nature into the small band of tramps
who had assembled there. He, too, was for war, swift, terrible,
relentless, in order that the wrongs of workingmen might be redressed.
These people were dealing with death in their desperate venture. It was
such counsel as they could give, which led to the deadly volley that
caused the streets of Baltimore to be stained with blood that same
evening. To the scenes and incidents of the night of the 20th in the
city of Baltimore, we must devote more space than can be afforded in
this chapter.