Q. Was there any command given to fire?
A. It was too far away for hearing the command; but I may say it was effectually done, and if that was so, it was only a pity the command had not been given.
Q. Was it a volley or was it a scattering fire?
A. It was a scattering fire, but it extended all along the line. We were immediately in front of the rear rank that faced to the rear, and received a good share of the fire.
By Mr. Lindsey:
Q. Was there a rush made by the mob towards the troops before the firing began?
A. The thing had been gathering momentum from ten o'clock. It was not a mob—the mob in front—that I was afraid of at all. It was the feeling that existed there, apparently strong outside, and when the mills closed that afternoon, it seemed to me they just came up there in hundreds.
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. Rolling mills, iron mills, and so forth?
A. Yes, sir; the crowd accumulated rapidly. They were going and coming all the time, and they were there in force.