Today is Tuesday, July 21st, 2020.

On this day in 1877, Pennsylvania State Militia attacked protesting railroad workers.

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was one of the largest strikes of the 19th century.

Welcome to today in true crime, a parcast original.

Welcome to today in True Crime, a parcast original.

Today we're covering the violent events that broke out when the National Guard attempted to silence

angry railway protests in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Now let's travel back to the early morning of Saturday,

July 21st, 1877, when General Lata's Westbound Express train approached its destination. Pennsylvania's governor John Hartraft was unreachable, vacationing in Wyoming, so General Lata, his second in command, had no choice but to deal with the striking

railway workers himself.

He mobilised the state's National Guard and rode into Pittsburgh himself.

As he neared the station, General Lata peered out his window.

He watched his angry railway workers blockaded the freight yard entrance.

2,000 cars and metal scraps had already been stacked, preventing all trains from departing.

This was the laborer laborers response to recent wage cuts and

layoffs. When General Lata arrived at 28th Street Station shortly after 1 a.m.

his first objective was to meet with vice president of the railroad

Alexander Cassatt. The Portly man spent much of his time abroad, commissioning paintings from his sister's wealthy artist

friends. But on this day, Cassat hid in his office, refusing to leave until troops disbanded

the growing mob outside.

But General Lata had some bad news for Cassat.

Pennsylvania's National Guard was still an eight hour train ride away. Even worse, it would still take them a few hours to gather

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