In the summer of 1909, the strike at the Pressed Steel Car Company in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, had become a scene of hunger, fear, and open violence.
Striking workers and their families lined the streets and riverbanks, while mounted Pennsylvania State Constabulary troopers used horses and hickory riot clubs to keep crowds from gathering near the mill.
Tensions rose even higher when rumors spread that newly imported workers were being held inside the plant against their will. Gunfire erupted near the O’Donavan Bridge, and later, more than 100 shots were fired at a steamer carrying replacement workers across the Ohio River.
While company officials denied the accusations, the desperate conditions surrounding the strike were plain. As troopers scattered men, women, and children, families of strikers waited at commissary headquarters for bread, rice, flour, and sugar.
Troopers Use Riot Clubs
PITTSBURG, Pennsylvania. — Mounted and using their hickory riot clubs, members of the Pennsylvania State Constabulary are today keeping strikers on the move in the Pressed Steel Company strike zone at McKees Rocks. It is estimated over 500 shots were fired last night and early today by strikers and sympathizers who had gathered on the O’Donavan Bridge, near the works.
During the firing, the troopers and other police remained inside the mill, orders having been issued to take no action unless the strikers attempted an entrance to the plant.
The constabulary was out on the streets this forenoon, however, compelling the strikers to keep moving. Troopers took possession of the O’Donavan Bridge and efforts of the strikers to congregate at any one point were met with galloping horses and riot sticks.
Strike leaders today explained the shooting and disorder. They are of the opinion that the workmen are being held in the mills against their wishes. The shooting, they say, was for the purpose of bringing the constabulary from the plant to the bridge and give the new men an opportunity to escape from the works. The troopers stayed inside.
Shots Fired At Steamer
Shortly after noon, alleged strike sympathizers opened fire upon the steamer P.M. Pfeil, which was bringing 50 imported men across the Ohio River to the mill. Several thousand strikers were lined along the river bank and each volley was discharged at the command of an unknown foreign woman, who carried a baby.
Over 100 shots were directed at the steamer. No one was injured, although many of the bullets struck the boat.
By the time the steamer reached the shore near the plant a squad of state constabulary, mounted, had ridden into the crowd, scattering men, women, and children in all directions. A number of persons were slightly injured.
Under heavy guard the imported men were taken to the works, some of them in a highly nervous condition.
This was distribution day at the commissary headquarters. Over 1,500 loaves of bread were given out to the families of strikers, as well as quantities of rice, sugar, flour, and other provisions.
Allegations that several hundred new men are being held in the plant against their wishes are denied by company officials.
Source: Evening Star. Washington, D.C. August 19, 1909.
