Protection of the property was undertaken by a group of 12 or 15 armed officers under Chief Walter B. Orr. A rope deadline was stretched along the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street from the car barns. When pressure collapsed this line, the crowd surged forward and police were ordered to fire. More than 100 shots were fired by police and attackers. Within minutes three men were dead and many wounded. Later two other men died as a result of wounds, and many who had been less seriously injured reported to the hospitals.

Wild rumors of retaliation by union members and their friends impelled Mayor Frank R. McNinch to summon and appoint a citizens' protective committee. By three or four o'clock in the morning several hundred men had reported to the City Hall, then located at the corner of North Tryon and Fifth Streets. As each man arrived, he was given a gun from the local armory, with ammunition, and assigned to a patrol station. At the same time calls were sent to nearby towns for units of the National Guard. First to arrive at 8 A.M. were troops from Lexington, followed quickly by troops from Statesville, Lincolnton, Hickory, Durham, and Winston-Salem.

Troops were demobilized August 30 and no major disturbances occurred thereafter, though cars were operated by men recruited form throughout North and South Carolina. On September 5 the strike was officially terminated by a contract in which both sides made concessions, and all striking employees were retained.