to Lattimer, a village not very far away from Hazleton. They desired to
persuade the miners there to join their ranks, and started out about two
hundred and fifty strong, marching in a peaceable and orderly manner
along the road. None of them were armed, and none showed the slightest
desire for violence or riot.

They had arrived within a few hundred yards of their destination when
their road was blocked by the sheriff and his posse.

Advancing toward them, the sheriff ordered them to go back to their
homes, telling them that they were creating a disturbance and were
acting in defiance of the law.

Most of the strikers were foreigners, and, failing to understand what
the sheriff said, the foremost men crowded round him, trying to prove to
him that they were only parading, and had a perfect right to march
through the streets if they only remained peaceful and orderly.

Unfortunately the sheriff could not make out what they meant, and
supposed they were defying him.

He therefore proceeded to read them the Riot Act.

This is an act which in the name of the commonwealth orders the persons
assembled to disperse and go to their homes.

If the rioters fail to obey they are liable to imprisonment and
punishment according to the laws of the State, and the sheriff or person
authorized to read the Riot Act is bound to arrest all persons who
linger around after the act has been read to them.