Draft:1921-1922 Newport, Kentucky steel strike

Newport, Kentucky steel strike
Strike supporters standing beside militia soldiers outside the Newport steel mills; published December 26, 1921
Date	October 5, 1921 (1921-10-05) - July 7, 1928 (1928-07-07)
Location	Newport, Kentucky
Caused by	Wage reduction to 28¢/hour and attempt to force open shop by Andrews Steel Co.
Parties
Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, & Tin Workers (AA) Highly skilled workers: Local 5 Skilled to unskilled workers: Local 15, Galvanizing plant Local 16, Corrugating plant Local 17, Steel plant Andrews Steel Co. Kentucky Militia/Kentucky National Guard
Lead figures
William N. Andrews (Owner) Governor Edwin P. Morrow
Number
~2,500
Casualties and losses
Numerous arrests Injuries: 2 strikebreakers Deaths: 2 Militia men (accidental discharge, friendly fire)

The 1921-1928 Newport, Kentucky steel strike was a labor dispute between steel workers in Newport, Kentucky and Andrews Steel Co., the owners of the Andrew Steel Plant and Newport Rolling Mill.

Background

See also: Steel strike of 1919

The dispute began with four union locals when Andrews Steel Co. attempted to institute a wage reduction to 28¢ an hour and to change the workplace from a closed union shop to an open shop. The strike involved one in five of all workers in the town, as it was the dominant industry.

During World War I, the three less skilled steel union locals No. 15, 16 & 17 gained greater bargaining power then they had before and gained union recognition. While Local No. 5, the highly skilled steel workers had already been a recognized union by the company for 30 years.

The steel industry faced a downturn as a result of overproduction of steel by business owners during the war, where steel demand plummeted after the war's end. The labor contract then expired in early 1921, where the company swiftly announced they would no longer recognize Locals No. 15, 16, & 17 and their intent on establishing an open shop. The company attempted to establish a separate agreement with Local No. 5, but they refused, in solidarity with the other unions.

Contract negotiations further broke down after company owner William N. Andrews told the union negotiator to "go to hell." Where after, union workers called the strike.

Strike

On October 5, 1921, workers at Andrews Steel Co. began the strike after voting in favor the day before.

The Kentucky Post reported on November 14 that the main contention for workers was not the reduction in wages. But instead the company's refusal to recognize the union locals for those in the unskilled labor section of the Newport Rolling Mill. A latter article by the same newspaper on December 2, reiterates this; Mentioning that union members made a statement that Friday that they were willing to take a cut in wages, but wouldn't return under a open shop plan. The two mills the proposal would effect employed more then 2,000 workers together.

On November 30, the company threatened that they would fire any employee who refused the new proposed wage and open shop. The letter began as follows:

"This letter is for you and your family, to be discussed at your home... We would like you to give it full consideration. We feel that you, yourself, right down in your own heart would like to see this mill run like it used to five or ten years ago as one happy family, instead of the unrest we have had in the past three years."

Reportedly a 1,000 workers took the offer, while another thousand continued to strike at the picket lines. This is contradicted by a later newspaper article in July, 1922 that reports 1,800 mill workers still on strike.

On December 8, strikers were put under an injunction by Judge A.M.J Cochran, of the U.S District Court to make it illegal for them to picket. This injunction was made permanent on December 15. Reportedly, seven strikebreakers were shot at that Thursday morning while in an automobile leaving from the plant but, no was injured in the event.

A few days before December 16, the company set up 36 machine guns at the plants. The company also hired a private armed force, described by one as "gray-eyed mountaineers with rifles".

Picketers around a campfire,
Kentucky Post Dec. 16, 1921

1923 aerial photo, large rolling steel mill shown on bottom by river banks.

On December 16, the union's method of picketing was described; At the corner of each street leading to the mill, strikers stood guard around makeshift campfires. They would stop anyone passing by to ask where they were going and inform them about the strike. The presence was 24/7, with shifts changing twice a day and twice a night. They also had a soup kitchen set up at the back of Pat Murphy's grocery and surrounding tenants helped provide coals for the campfires, both which help sustain the picket. At night searchlights on the plants owned by the company would then flood the streets with blinding light at night. That day, Friday at 8pm, a strikebreaker leaving the plant was reported to have fired shots at several strikers who were on picket duty. According to police, the strikebreaker then ran before he could be apprehended. This incident was filed by nearby police patrolmen and several complaints filed by residents about the shooting.

6th & Brighton St., Dec 16

9th & Brighton St., ~Dec 17-19

11th St. Bridge, ~Dec 15

General barrage, ~Dec 20
Brighton St. (Barrage), Dec 23

Newport fire insurance map 1910; reported gunshots, 1921
Yellow: shots at strikebreakers; Red: shots at strikers, citizens

On Saturday, December 17, Judge Wolff handed down a ruling making it illegal for more then two men to publicly assembly at paths leading to the company plants. two strikebreakers were shot at on 9th and Brighton street as they were on their way into the plant, past a large crowd. Workers continued picketing.

That same day, reports were made the Newport Rolling Mill Co.'s plant fired shots from it's machine guns, at 3:25 o'clock that Saturday morning. A nearby resident who lived by the plant, William O'Connell, told police a bullet was fired into her home. Eugene Weatherby, police chief of directly adjacent city of Cincinnati, corroborated this, hearing shots fired early that morning. Plant owner W.N. Andrews denied this. Later that day, at 5 pm her husband heard two more shots.

It was reported that at 7am Monday, December 19, two strikebreakers were shot at on 9th and Brighton street as they were on their way into the plant, past a large crowd. With Chester Starnes shot in the left leg, and Stanley Leifheit shot in the chest & left leg.

That Monday, the company publicly mentioned appealing to Kentucky Governor Edwin P. Morrow to send in state troops to the town. With company owner W.N Andrews stating, "unless the city government protects our property and men we will have to appeal to Governor Morrow to send us protection."

Powell St. home riddled with bullets, narrowly missing Mrs. Brill when she was sleeping by the window.

Early in the morning on December 20, a barrage of around 200 bullets, hit 20 houses. Nobody known was hit but reportedly some had narrow escapes. Nearby local residents uninvolved with the strike reported bullets hitting their homes, and coming from the steel plant. That day women in the town formed a delegation to call on Mayor Hermann to stop the indiscriminate firing from the plant.

When Governor Morrow was asked whether he would be sending troops to Newport he replied, "I'm not answering rumors, but when I send troops, you will know it."

On Thursday, December 22, Christ Ebert, Newport commissioner of public safety, also sent a letter to Edwin P. Morrow asking him to not intervene, saying:

"Whatever disorder we have had has come from sympathizers and not strikers, the strikers themselves have appealed to me to help them prohibit the congregating of crowds upon the streets... I assure you that the situation is well taken care of and that every effort to forestall further disorder will be exercised. Union men Thursday denied propaganda which is being spread in Newport and Northern Kentucky that snipers have been stationed in houses in the 'strike zone' and the moonshine whiskey flows freely." -Christ Ebert

Newport Rev. W. B. Harvey also sent letters to both to the union and Newport Rolling Mill Co. offering to help hold negotiations between representatives each side selects with meeting to allow the public to attend. The union accepted the offer after receiving the letter.

That Friday night starting at 10 pm, bullets were shot from the mill into the Newport neighborhood. The big searchlight on the mill was turned on Brighton street. Then there was a general rush to cover by picketers, and sympathizers standing on the street. Newport local police also took cover. Then shots rung out from the mill. That night Governor Morrow ordered four militia companies to arrive in Newport the next day.

Troops arrive

See also: US Prohibition

State Troops at the Newport Rolling mill

On the morning of December 24, 250 state troopers under the command of Col. H. H. Denhardt arrived in Newport, Kentucky.

In the drizzling rain they marched to the mill, men and children of the town jeered and cursed at them. While marching into the plant several shots fired out. In response troops stopped and set up a machine gun. After ten minutes of quiet, the gun was dismantled and taken into the plant.

At one point when troop officers neared the plant, a women confronted the Adjutant General Jackson Morris with tears streaming down here face, she cried out:

"You have brought men and machine guns to kill us."

Morris paused the march and replied that were here not to shoot but protect them.

That evening, a militia member was accidentally killed by another solider from an accidental discharge. Reportedly Charles Black fainted, falling into Robert Deaton, knocking Deaton's firearm from their holster. Which then hit the ground, discharging and killing Deaton.

The mills were shut down for two days due to the plant observing Christmas as a holiday.

A conference between the union officers, Col. Denhardt, and Adjunct Morris was held on the Dec. 25. There Morris said they would permit two union men to be at the gates leading into the mill, changing shifts as often as they wanted and that they could gather in the huts nearby to the plant, since they were on private property. Morris lastly promised that there would be no more overnight 'bunking' at the plant by nonunion workers at the mill, instead leaving the mill everyday.

Strikers were also told by the military that everyone of the private armed guards in the mill had been sent out. Workers continued with pickets, having two on duty at all hours at the mill gate. Workers also had picket shanties along Brighton St., covering all connected streets that lead to the Newport Rolling Mill. Soldiers also patrolled Brighton St.

That day company owner W.N Andrews, announced they would be attending the conference Tuesday by Rev. W. B. Harvey to attempt to settle the strike between the company and union. He cited the presence of troops for the company's decision to now accept the invitation.

Tuesday night, December 27, union leaders and the company arranged for a public meeting the next day at the First Baptist Church, overseen by Rev. W. B. Harvey. However the company's unwillingness to not have an open shop lead to a standstill in negotiations. According to the Kentucky Post, Edward W. Miller president elect of Union Local 5. mentioned during a speech at the meeting that striking mill workers had come in contact with the I.W.W since the start of trouble at the mill,

"During recent weeks considerable propaganda has been spread in Newport. Our pickets have come in contact with members of the I.W.W. These are the men spreading the propaganda."

— Edward W. Miller

Rev. Harvey proposed eight propositions from which the two groups could negotiate around in the meeting. The union was receptive to it, saying if proposition 1, that the company will recognize and treat with the unions, was accepted the others were flexible. However company owner Andrews, said any such union acceptance would be untenable.

Two more companies of troops arrived Wednesday night, for a total of 330 militia men in Newport, on the orders of Governor Morrow in response to updates he had received from Col. Dendhart about the town. Col. Dendhart announced that they were preparing for a long stay in Newport. On December 29, the guard lines around the Newport Rolling Mills were extended (northeast to York Street & onto all four bridges) using the two new companies of militia that arrived the night before. Barracks were also being erected near the mill to house soldiers. Col. Denhardt said that in the event of taking complete control of the city, it would be designated a "Military Control Zone" instead of under Martial Law as only federal authorities are allowed to do so. But, he noted, that there was no practical difference.

That day Gov. Morrow was preparing to ask the state general assembly the authority to remove local police officers in Newport who he deemed were not doing their job. He also asked for them to give city authorities power to remove police judges and marshals. Alongside this, Morrow was expected to issue recommendations for Prohibition enforcement across the state.

January

Early in the morning on January 1, a firefight occured between a large group on the Covington side of the Licking River and Newport Militia at the Rolling Mill. Its suspected that said group were likely striking workers and supporters.

On the night of New Years Eve, the group had built a number of bonfires across the Covington bank. Then shortly before midnight they fired their rifles and revolvers into the air as a celebration of the new year. After they started yelling and singing. Then, after seeing a guard armed with a shotgun patrolling the Newport bank, taunts were shouted and one of the suspected strikers reportedly lowered their revolver, leveling it at the mill and fired. After which others in the group followed.

On the order of Col. Denhardt, militia men then trained a machine gun on the group, and opened fired. No one was reportedly hurt on either side of the conflict.

On January 3, Denhardt posted sentries along the Licking River banks. On January 4, Denhardt issued a statement to Newport citizens that he has told his troops to 'shoot to kill',

"Sympathizers have exhausted our patience and I have issued orders to my men to shoot to kill, if necessary, if they are attacked by a mob,"

The same day, Covington police were also stationed on their side of the river, reportedly in response to the conflict.

On January 5, company owner W. N. Andrews and Frank Benton, the company's attorney, were at Kentucky's capitol Frankfort to lobby against a troop investigation resolution. The resolution was proposed by Herman Q. Thompson of Newport, if passed it would provide 7 members of the legislature and 5 senators to go to Newport, investigate and return back. The Kentucky House voted to pass it, 55 to 33, after which it needed to be approved by the Senate. A day later W.N. Andrews would claim to be in support of the resolution's passage. Herman Q. Thompson stated a few days later on the topic,

"I notice press accounts of the visit said they were in favor of my resolution asking for an investigation. I want to say they do not favor my resolution, but they were there lobbying against it."

The investigation probe ended up dying in a committee vote on January 11, stopping it from reaching a senate vote.

On January 6, Kentucky Militia shot at two rowboats on the Licking river. According to Col. Denhardt, a white row boat first attempted to land near the plant which turned around after the mill searchlight was turned on it. Then sometime after two other dark rowboats attempted to land at which point guardsmen fired into the water with a machine gun. Denhardt claimed they shot at the rowboats because they believe it was IWW members trying to blow up the mill. That same night a mass meeting with 1,500 in attendance was held at the Temple Theater with city officials, Rev. E. R. Overlay, and Colonel Dennardt rallying support for a 'fight against vice'. In particular they noted safety commissioner, W. C. "Case" Thomasson as the leader of it, with one official describing him as a crusader.

On January 7, the vice president of the Amalgamated Association union, Walter Larkins was in the town attempting to help settle the dispute. A strike supporter, Kelly, was also found not guilty that day after being arrested by militia for refusing to 'move on'. Lieutenant Guy Tuttle testified he struck Kelly in the eye after being told by Colonel Denhardt to "not let him act that way." and then other testimony described the guardsmen grabbing Kelly, placing him in a truck and kneeling on him as group.

On January 9, a petition signed by 5,000 to 6,000 Newport citizens was presented to governor Morrow by representative Herman G. Thompson of Newport calling for the withdrawal of troops from the town.

On January 10, Herman Q. Thompson sent a telegram to Louis Tiemen the Campbell-co Newport Sheriff, informing them that Gov. Morrow would agree to withdraw troops if he would deputize men to take place of the troops, without deputy bond. Bond for police was money that had to be put up in order to be deputized, typically through a bondsmen, where if malpractice occured their bondsmen could be sued. C. Thompson previously complained during the strike, "Policemen are called upon to make arrests and they do not know whether to make them or not for fear their bondsmen will be sued if the accused is dismissed." Sheriff Tiemen responded to the offer that he would not consider deputizing any men without bond.

A mass meeting of strikers and the general public was held at the Temple Theater on 8 pm January 11. Both Amalgamated Association's national union president Michael. F Tighe and vice president Walter Larkin who had arrived at Newport that day, were present at the meeting. City officials were also in attendance, and company officials were invited, but did not attend. They called for the removal of troops and also settling of the strike with union recognition. In a letter released the day before by the union they stated, "The question of principle that is involved - the surrendering of our rights to be members of the Amalgamated Associations - cannot be arbitrated, and we reaffirm our stand on the signing of any agreement that might be negotiated or arrived at by collective bargaining."

On January 13, two more militia companies arrived in Newport at the order of Gov. Morrow, numbering around 100 extra men, in total around 400 in the city. Both Sheriff Tieman and Mayor Joseph Hermann criticized this decision. Mayor Hermann on the event said,

"...As there has never been any need of state troops in our city, and I think they are the real menace toward the peace of our community, I am not in accord with the using of our police force in connection with your state troops..."

That day the Kentucky Legislature also was debating a bill to require phone companies give a list of all unlisted phone numbers to police. The Kentucky Post wrote there had been considerable bickering about the phone situation in Newport, and Judge Manson, who drafted the bill, argued "The only complaint against the measure will come from the lawless element who now hide behind the unlisted phone."

According the Industrial Worker, reporting on January 14, in response to the constant firing strikers had constructed blockhouses near their pickets and coated them with sheet iron to protect them from stray bullets. In addition the paper reported strikebreakers were largely being driven in from nearby Cincinnati.

On January 14, Col. Denhardt returned to Newport after being away at their hometown, Bowling Green.

On January 16, The Kentucky Post called for Governor Morrow, in the face of his announced personal visit to Newport, to force state arbitration of the strike. The next day, Gov. Morrow arrived in Newport and held a closed session at the courthouse with union officials, company officials, and three representatives of the public in hopes of resolving the strike. Those three representatives being Milton Marx a Monmouth-St merchant, Reverend E. R. Overley and Reverand M. J. Lieck. Morrow said should no settlement be reached that day, he would return 2 days later, since he had to be in Frankfort on the 18th. No settlement occured and neither side was in favor of arbitration. During this union official Tighe said to Morrow, that if the company recognized the union the strike could be settled in minutes. The meeting on January 19 also did not settle the strike.

During this time a judicial fight over court appointments occured involving Judge Butten of the Campbell County Court attempting to oust Fritz Kraft's reappointment to superintendent of the Campbell-Co infirmary (and poorhouse) in favor of William Silversack. Judge Butten would later be targeted by a prohibition raid from militia a few months later, which had been speculated to be due to their support of the strike and opposition to militia presence. No alcohol would be found and charges would later be dropped. That same day a strike relief organization, the Woman's Volunteer Relief Committee of Campbell County, was formed by 35 Newport women. A card party was planned for February 27 & 28, for the benefit of the striking mill workers. Colonel Denhardt also drew in his guard lines back in, shrinking the strike zone, citing the 'quiet conditions'.

On January 21, US District Judge A.M.J. Cochran made a permanent order to enjoin strikers from interfering with interstate company shipments. It also gave companies the ability to in-debt any costs from interference onto the defendant strikers.

On January 25, Gov. Morrow publicly announced plans to withdraw all militia on Saturday, January 28. A significant portion had already left by this announcement, with around 150 militia men left in the city. Additional special deputies would also be appointed by Sherriff Tieman and safety director W. Case Thomasson, in preparation for and following the troop removal. In response to decision, the Newport Rolling Mill announced it was going to reorganize it's charter under Delaware laws within 30 days, in order to call for Delaware to send in troops to Newport, Kentucky. It was further detailed by the town that police would be put on 12 hour shifts following the troops removal. While the removal itself would see half leave the morning of Saturday, January 28 and the other half in the night.

Militia leaves

On January 28, a uninvolved driving car was reportedly stoned, by those who believed it contained strikebreakers. Around midnight January 29, a firefight occured. Joseph Hicinbothem, a strikebreaker, had fired shots from his home into the homes of union men. After which his house was hit with rocks and shot at, following which he fled to the Newport jail for protection. Of the situation Hicinbothem, said he fired "his share of the shots." People reportedly then broke into the house, by the end windows were broken and furniture ended up smashed. At some point a fire started, with the fireman saying that a gas stove had been knocked over causing the gas to ignite. Reportedly at one point while firemen were fighting the blaze, someone in the crowd cut the fire hose. That night Gov. Morrow was in Newport at the Gibson Hotel, for a conference in an effort to settle the strike. He would not comment on the conflict. Company owner W. N Andrews, who was also at the conference, similarly refused to comment on the event.

A meeting held on January 30, planned to be between the Women's Auxiliary of the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers, and W.N. Andrews alongside company officials to discuss the strike. W.N. Andrew ended up not showing to the meeting, saying he was unable to under current conditions. That night, Ben Colker, a mill clerk, shot at a crowd of strikers while police were trying to scatter the assembly. Ben Colker told police that he fired shots after being attacked by several men.

On January 31, at 2 am in the morning, machine guns at the Rolling Mill were heard firing into the nearby neighborhood's homes. A striking millworker, Frank "Pete" Meyer ended up being shot in the shoulder from it while walking along Brighton St. near it's 7th St. intersection.

A firefight occured later in the day. Reportedly, special deputy sheriff's were chasing after two men, that they saw stone a company truck on Ann street. While they were on Central Ave, a guard on a company truck reportedly fired the first shot. After which special deputy sheriffs open fired on a crowd, and shots were fired at the deputies from a house and people on the streets. Twelve special deputies resigned early the next day, following the firefight.

A meeting between a delegation of the Women's Union Auxiliary and company president A.K. Andrews at 3pm at their office was held, after company owner W.N. Andrew's failure to appear the day before. They reported after at the Music Hall to the Auxiliary, stating that no progress towards a strike settlement was made.

A report was filed to Covington police claiming snipers had fired into the mill early in the morning of February 1, however no trace of them were found by police.

That night, machine guns at the Rolling Mill were fired into homes, from 11pm to 4am in the morning. Accounts by citizens and Sheriff Tieman mention mill guards doing so unprovoked. Any who attempted to leave their homes were reportedly shot at. Many citizens fled to their cellars or behind makeshift barricades for safety. Citizens estimated more then 1,000 bullets were shot. The company denied any shots were fired by guards except two at a man who came inside the mill enclosure. Many homes ended being severely damaged, which one reporter upon seeing them described as "shot to pieces".

Rumors spread that I.W.W agitators were in the town. In a letter by safety commissioner W Case Thomasson appealing to Gov. Morrow he stated an anonymous source had told him that night that "I.W.W agitators are in in city, and have information that 15 gunmen are in city."

On the possibility of troops being sent back; Jackson Morris, Adjutant General of Kentucky, said "I have received no orders to send states troops to Newport as yet." While Gov. Morrow said "I am not responsible for reports that state troops have been ordered back to Newport." At the time Morrow was in communication with several Newport organizations asking around the subject of sending troops. When talking over the phone to the Cincinnati Times-Star and asked about troops, Morrow refused to discuss it, saying "I am not ready to make any announcement."

Tanks arrive

On the evening of February 2, on the order of Gov. Morrow; The Covington Tank Corps, commanded by Captain L. V. Crocket, moved without notice into the Newport mill zone with five tanks, equipped with machine guns and one pound rapid fire guns.

A crowd of strikers and strike supporters, already present in the area, grew and became angry once the tanks arrived following an initial arrival of troops on trucks, consisting of 60 men. The crowd, around 1,000 people, marched to Case Thomasson's home, the safety commissioner, demanding he order for the tanks to be removed from around the mills. Then they marched to Newport City Hall, where Thomasson addressed the crowd.

Both Thomasson and Newport's mayor, Joseph Hermann, attempted to persuade and stop the crowd's march. They were unsuccessful. The crowd also jeered Thomasson, claiming he sent a telegram urging the return of troops, which he denied. When the crowd arrived at the mill, Thomasson appealed to Captain Crocket to remove them, which he refused, continuing to draw his tanks closer to the mills.

At approximately midnight, a shot rung out. Immediately after, the mill let out the rattle of machine gun fire, shooting into the neighborhood, hitting the George King saloon and through 9th & Brighton streets. Civilians and the Newport police patrol ducked behind buildings to protect themselves.

After this, the firefighting continued into the next morning before dawn, machine gun and mill riot shotguns bullets tore through nearby houses. Private mill guards hired by the company also operated the machine guns. Militia men were protected by steel shields. Houses as far as eight blocks away from the mill were hit by bullets. The shooting continued from 12 am to 2 am. Of the situation, Captain Crocket said they were sure several men must have been wounded in the crowd during it.

Newport Rolling Mill,
Pub. Feb 3, 1922

Tanks at Newport Rolling Mill & bullet shells;
Pub. February 4, 1922

Tank on Brighton St,
Pub. Feb 3, 1922

Militia Cavalry, Pub. Feb 4, 1922

Pub. March 1922 in monthly Labor Age

February 2-3, Reported timeline by The Kentucky Post

• 6:45 pm: Crowd of strikers and strike sympathizers, swelled by threescore deputy sheriffs and police, surprised when two truck loads of soldiers arrive.
• 7:00 pm: Rumor has it troops are a detail of regulars from Ft. Thomas.
• 7:15 pm: Soldiers identified as tank crew from Covington.
• 7:50 pm: Crowd grows larger.
• 8:05 pm: Slowly moving baby tanks appear, with dangerous looking one-pounders protruding. Crowd becomes angry.
• 8:30 pm: "Go get Case Thomasson!" is the cry. "Make him come down here and order the tanks taken away." someone suggests.
• 8:45 pm: Crowd forms and march to City Hall is started.
• 8:57 pm: Reporter on duty at City Hall told mob is after him. He leaves.
• 9:00 pm: Crowd fails to find Thomasson at office and continues march to his home.
• 9:15 pm: Thomasson routed out of bed and goes to City Hall, where he addresses crowd. Strikers and strike sympathizers join in the speechmaking.
• 10:00 pm: Crowd returns to Ninth and Brighton.
• 10:15 pm: Mayor Joseph Hermann arrives and addresses the crowd, counseling them to keep order and promises that the tanks will be taken away in the morning.
• 10:50 pm: Case Thomasson with a detail of police, reached Ninth and Brighton in the police patrol, which is parked at intersection of street.
• 10:55 pm: Crowd jeers Thomasson as he attempts to speak, and he denies he sent a telegram asking for return of troops.
• 11:30 pm: Thomasson continues to talk with the strikers and sympathizers.
• 12:02 am: First shot of the night rings out.
• 12:02 am: Patrol, which is in range of guns at the mill, hurriedly backs up Brighton-st behind a brick building.
• 12:05 am: Thomasson and a policeman approach soldier picket line to investigate.
• 12:06 am: Second shot fired.
• 12:07 am: Guns at mills let loose first volley. Police on duty at Ninth and Brighton keep crowd back out of range. Bullets patter against brick wall of George King's saloon.
• 12:08 am: Sheriff L. B. Tieman. with squad, goes to the soldiers' line, where they are stopped.
• 12:10 am: Thomasson returns and, mounting the patrol, tells the crowd that the soldiers had reported the first shot had been fired from without the mill. Crowd jeers him.
• 12:15 am: Thomasson leaves scene in patrol wagon, while crowd hoots and jeers. Someone in the crowd fired a shot in the air.
• 12:16 am: Shot is answered by a volley from the direction of the mill, King's place being the target.
• 12:20 am: Sheriff Tieman returns, and members of the crowd take him to the side of the building to show him where the bullets are hitting.
• 12:21 am: Sheriff needs no further proof, as another volley is turned loose and bullets hit all about him.
• 12:25 am: Sheriff assures crowd. he'll try to stop the shooting, and retires up the street to use telephone to those inside the mill
• 12:40 am: Gun battle opens in earnest. Each shot from outside the mill is answered by a volley.
• 1:01 am: Machine guns rip thru frame houses facing on Brighton-st. Women and children heard screaming, while men fall to the ground and floor for safety.
• 1:15 am: Women and children flee from the frame houses in the vicinity of King's saloon as bullets entering the rear of the houses had gone clear thru the building, falling on the streets.
• 2:00 am: Shooting continues, with volley apparently being turned toward the river bank.
• 2:10 am: Crowd becomes small and shooting gradually dies out.
• 6:00 am: Small crowd gathers at Ninth and Brighton streets.
• 6:30 am: Tank is moved from the mill to Ninth and Brighton streets. Five policemen and others are ordered to move. Tank crew fires several shots.
• 7:00 am: Residents who had snatched a few hours' sleep after the battle begin survey of the damage, broken windows and damaged furniture being objects of [unreadable].

During the firefight, Melvin Larkin of the Covington Tank Corps was wounded in the cheek by a buckshot, reportedly from a shotgun in the hands of a sniper, according to Larkin. After being wounded he replied twice with a riot gun. Reportedly, Larkin's wounds were not serious.

Around dawn when Sergeant Edward Kearns and a patrol arrived in the mill zone, while they were walking closer to the mills, they were fired on by a tank gunner farther down the street, they took cover at which point the firing stopped. Then later as police reached closer they were fired on again. Kearns hailed the gunner informing them they were police, in response the gunner said, "Keep away from here. My orders are to shoot to kill at police or anybody else who comes around." Captain Crockett denied giving those orders, saying he only ordered them to reply to fire and get snipers when possible. He then charged "Certain police are trying to discredit the troops of my command,".

That day, Morrow issued a statement to the 'people of Newport' "to stand up and be counted for the law of the land" and that troops would remain indefinitely until order was restored. In it he also stated,

"I am sending the National Guard troops of the commonwealth of Kentucky to put an end to this condition. Any one who fires on, strikes or insults a state trooper fires on, strikes and insults Kentucky, and they will be treated accordingly."

— Gov. Morrow

After a meeting between Captain Crockett and school superintendent E. F. Sporing, it was announced that students attending Tenth Street School would be dismissed for the time being as a precautionary measure, affecting 200 students.

Twelve further detachments, of Kentucky state guardsmen consisting of around 350 soldiers, were under orders Feb 3 to move into Newport. They would temporarily be under the command of Major Isaac Wilder for the day until Colonel Denhardt, who previously commanded the militia in the city, returned. Forty horses also arrived in the city that morning for militia cavalrymen. Colonel Charles Morrow, the twin brother of Gov. Morrow, would also be overseeing in an advisory capacity. A rumor was heard that night that at least 3 men had been injured that morning when a squad of soldier fired at a crowd after shots were heard, however it wasn't confirmed.

One hundred citizens of Ft. Thomas were also specially deputized that day to guard the homes of Newport Rolling Company officials. Each was given at least on revolver and were set to patrol the surrounding streets. A man was arrested on Feb 3 by militia, for peering into or looking into the stables that housed the Calvary horses. He was going to be tried by a military court organized by Col. Denhardt.

On February 4, Col Denhardt announced that night their intent to put the city under military rule. Denhardt announced,

We are going to patrol all of Newport, and we mean business this time. There will be no soft pedaling... Citizens who have no business in the strike zone must keep on the move. We will disburse anything that looks like a threatening crowd and will ask questions afterwards, whether they be on the streets or on private property."

Around 450-500 soldiers were stationed in the city, in total. Reportedly, this made it the largest assembly of militia men ordered to one point for active duty in Kentucky, up to that point in history.

Fred Sloan, a member of the union (AA), gave a speech at Music Hall to a large crowd urging that petitions be circulated calling upon Gov. Morrow to order troops to stop escorting non-union workers in & out of the mill, and to also have it so strikerbreakers are no longer housed inside the plant. He reiterated that the strike was over union recognition, not wages. Mrs. Adolph Schott gave an address at the Hall, criticizing Gov. Morrow, Newport Business, Thomasson, Tieman, Rev E.R. Overley, and Milton Marx for their support of or role in the resending of troop to Newport.

The night, Governor Morrow arrived in Cincinnati to confer with a select delegation of Newport citizens, cancelling a speaking engagement he had planned at Louisville in order to do so. Col. Denhardt stated their intent to patrol the entire city and root out "IWW Agitators". Cavalrymen would be assigned to the outer sections of the city, while the infantry and tanks would be kept in the immediate area around and in the mill. On picketing, Col. Denhardt said, "We may permit two pickets at each of the three entrances to the mill, but even this will not be permitted unless there is quiet".

That evening, 4 strikebreakers were also reportedly attacked by a mob of strikers, after which militia arrived, shot into the crowd and then charged them with clubbed rifles. Another account of the event mentions the conflict beginning as a result of troops attempting to disperse a crowd of 600 at 9th & Brighton, opposite the mill entrance, trying force the picketers behind a "dead line", initially clubbing them with their rifles when they refused and then shooting. At least 10 people were shot or otherwise injured. Herman Q Thompson also sent a telegram to President Harding that night,

"Governor Morrow has sent troops to our town, shooting and killing men and women. Please act."

Campbell County Judge William C. Buten, sent a letter of protest to Governor Morrow following the shooting criticizing the sending of tank troops & actions of those in charge of troops generally. Writing also, "Your letter, however convinces me that the information upon which you relied grossly misrepresented and exaggerated conditions here..." a few days later he was sent to jail. (unfinished)^{(Conduct of Soldiers Assailed by County Judge)}

^{(Victims Better: Twelve Suffered Injuries During Melee. Story of One Shooting: Man Shot Says He Was Trying to Get Home)}

^{(Morrow's Third Effort to Settle Strike Fails)}

^{(Maintain Order: Judge A. M. Caldwell Charges Grand Jury. Investigate Shootings, Tells Jury Homes Have Been Fired Upon.)}

^{(Colonel Denhardt Defends Actions of His Troops)}

^{(Prussian Rule: Hermann Scores Conduct of State Troops, Says Authority Exceeded. Martial Law Prevails without being declared.)}

^{(Most serious disorders of Newport Strike follow taking over of 2/3rds of City by Militia. No Declaration of 'Martial Law' Made, tho the Conditions Exist.)}

.

arrested and charged with conspiracy to violate prohibition law (despite no liquor being found in the search/arrest) a few days after they sent a strong protest to gov Morrow against militia operations.

Militia returns, civilians outraged by it. Militia paraded through streets. Colonel Denhardt declared liquor was to blame for strike disorders. Raiding campaign began, near beer saloons, clubs and private homes whenever suspected of liquor.

6-10:

The Kentucky Post, February 7, 1922

Crackdown and raids

11-24:

Kentucky Post comics, February 18, 1922

Tank crushing stills, Pub. February 18, 1922

25-28:

Prohibition Notes: 2,200 workers,,,,

Colonel Denhardt declared liquor was to blame for strike disorders. Raiding campaign began, near beer saloons, clubs and private homes whenever suspected of liquor. However according to the documents there's an issue, it targeted those against militias presence.

• County Judge Buten, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to violate prohibition law (despite no liquor being found in the search/arrest) a few days after they sent a strong protest to gov Morrow against militia operations.
• Mayor Joe Herman, seen as too sympathetic to strikers, hit by prohibition law.
• Commonwealth attorney Conrad Matz, seen as too sympathetic to strikers, was a high official at the moose lodge. The Moose temple was raided (while Matz was there), no liquor was found but they were still arrested and with conspiracy to violate prohibition law.

Strike headquarters forced to move three separate times by militia. It was raided by militia. And any unions meeting outside of strike committee ones were forbidden .

• James Phillip, chairmen of strike committee, indicted on charge of interfering with interstate commerce and at one time under bonds aggregating $30,000 (equivalent to $546,083 in 2023)

All mentioned were not found guilty or had cases dismissed.

March:

Kentucky Post, March 4, 1922

Kentucky Post, March 28, 1922

1-10:

11-20:

21-31:

April:

1-10:
11-20:

21-24:

Militia Leaves:

April 25-30:

Aftermath

The end (?):

Breaking of strike

1922:

1923:

The End:

Lasted seven years.
State force established

Wage Increase

pamphlet against President Calvin Coolidge

On the strike later

See also

• Newport, Kentucky
• List of striking US workers by year