I did
not have long to wait in order to find out what brought him
there, for he was very lonesome and disposed to talk. His
name was McLuckie, and up to 1892 he had been a skilled
mechanic in the employ of the Carnegie Steel Works at
Homestead. He was what was called a "top hand," received
large wages, was married, and at that time had a home and
considerable property. In addition, he had been honored by
his fellow-townsmen and had been made burgomaster of
Homestead.
When the strike of 1892 came McLuckie naturally sided with
the strikers, and in his capacity as burgomaster gave the
order to arrest the Pinkerton detectives who had come to
Homestead by steamer to protect the works and preserve
order. He believed he was fully justified in doing this. As
he explained it to me, the detectives were an armed force
invading his bailiwick, and he had a right to arrest and
disarm them. The order led to bloodshed, and the conflict
was begun in real earnest.
The story of the strike is, of course, well known to all.
The strikers were finally defeated. As for McLuckie, he was
indicted for murder, riot, treason, and I know not what
other offenses.
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