Report of the Committee Appointed to Investigate the Railroad Riots in July, 1877 / Read in the Senate and House of Representatives May 23, 1878

by 1877 Pennsylvania. General Assembly. Committee Appointed to Investigate the Railroad Riots in July

The following are the telegrams referred to in the foregoing testimony of Sheriff Fife:

Pittsburgh, July 19, '77.

To Hon. John Latta, Lieutenant Governor of Penn'a.:

I have forwarded the following dispatch to his Excellency Governor Hartranft, at Harrisburg. Learning that he is absent from the State, I forward it also to you for such action as you may deem your duty and powers render proper.

Signed R. H. Fife,
Sheriff of Allegheny county.

Following is the dispatch above alluded to:

Pittsburgh, July 19, 1878.

Hon. John F. Hartranft,
Governor of Pennsylvania,
Harrisburg:

A tumult, riot, and mob exist on the Pennsylvania railroad at East Liberty and in the Twelfth ward of Pittsburgh. Large assemblages of people are upon the railroad, and the movement of freight trains, either east or west, is prevented by intimidation and violence, molesting and obstructing the engineers and other employés of the railroad company in the discharge of their duties. As the sheriff of the county, I have endeavored to suppress the riot, and have not adequate means at my command to do so, and I, therefore, request you to exercise your authority in calling out the military to suppress the same.

R. H. Fife, (Copy.)
Sheriff of Allegheny county.