OUTRAGES AT ST. LOUIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11430, 21 July 1900, Page 2 (Supplement)

OUTRAGES AT ST. LOUIS.

LADIES STRIPPED AND BEATEN BY :■;■ ''■■' STRIKERS. :; ,j-,,■■■

Scandalous news comes from St. ; Louis where a strike of tramway employees has been in progress for some time. A few days ago the strikers decided to strip and scourge all women caught riding on the boycotted cars, Mobs of men, women, and children attacked the cars, and non-union drivers and conductors were terribly . beaten, and passengers assaulted with sticks and stones. Christine Thiere, a young woman, was surrounded by a furious mob when leaving one of the cars, and every stitch of clothing was torn from hep back. Sho was chased through the streets in a perfectly nude condition. The terrified girl stopped at several houses imploring admittance, but the occupants, fearing -the strikers, refused. She ultimately broke an. urea window and crawled into a dark cellar, where a woman furnished flier with clothing. The policu took home Stella Broad wick, a. servant girl, who was also attacked. Her dress was torn to pieces, and she was brutally beaten. Mrs. Police, a plucky German woman, having opened her' door and admitted the girl, the mob attacked the house. Mrs. Folko opened fire on them with a revolver, and the ruffians dispersed. The strikers also blew up 40ft of tramway line with dynamite. The city authorities have appointed 1000 citizens as special police, armed with rifles. One company is composed entirely of wealthy men, including many millionaires. The men patrol the streets, are subject to the strictest military discipline, and have orders to shoot if necessary to preserve order. As a result of this action the cars on nearly all the lines were running on the following day. In many instances where the women sought refuge they were denied protection through the fear of tho strikers entertained by "the householders. The President lias ordered the regular troops to St. Louis.