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Thursday, January 19, 2023

Strikers Lynched, Whipped, Driven Out of Harrison, Jan. 19, 1923

Lynched One Shop Worker to Bridge

Harrison, Ark., Jan. 17—Harrison assumed a normal atmosphere after two days of intense excitement as a record of armed actions by a “committee one thousand” in which one man was lynched and another wounded and more than 200 persons forced to leave the community. Further trouble is not expected to follow the clean up of persons believe guilty or having knowledge of ?? burning, and other depredations along the Missouri and North Arkansas railroad, which precipitated the demonstration.

Last night it was said that virtually every striker in Harrison—about 200—had been ejected from the state or placed in jail by the committee.

The body of E.C. Gregor, striking railway shop worker, found early yesterday morning hanging from a trestle, was last night taken in charge by his widow and relatives for burial. Gregory, it is said, was hanged after he resisted attempts who were seeking to identify persons who are said to have carried on a campaign of sabotage against the railway company. Gregor’s home was visited by a committee demanding his surrender Monday night. Gregor is alleged to have replied with a revolver ?? and escaped from the house in a hail of bullets. Emery dust and high explosives were found in Gregor’s home, members of the committee charge.

After the lynching of Gregor, George W. O’Neal, hotel proprietor and local capitalist, who is said to have furnished bail for many strikers arrested and charged with sabotage, was taken from his home and severely whipped. Today he was in the hands of a special committee which he promised he would lead to the hiding place of E.D. Stephens, former engineer, who is said was wanted by the committee.

Up to a late hour last night Stephens had not been produced but O’Neal had not been further harmed.

From the front page of The Reidsville Review, January 19, 1923

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