The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-08-12
FROM THE FRONT.
The EStriking'' RailrOaderS at
SeymOur--Wha the Men Say
In Their Defense.


A STAR reporter leIJ OlucluudIl aV
7 80 last night, and reached the scene OF
the railroad trouble between the brake
men and the authorities of the Ohio q
Mississippi Railroad one hour behind
time, with no incident worth chronlcling
save, perhaps, momentary shock. given
the sleepy passengers by the crashing OF
a window glass in the rear coach, bro
ken by stone thrown by some BASTARD
ly wretch as the train went laundering
along at a thirty-mile an hour gait, few
miles east OF Seymour.
During the short stop at North Vernon
an unusual crowd was noticed on the
depot platform; but on inquiry it was
ascertained that all was quiet there.
"How is it at Seymour~ was asked.
"Why, there's more excitement here
than there, and you see now this place
is"
Arriving at Seymour, the first thing
done was to hunt up some of the strikers
and get a statement from their side.
Approaching squad of quiet men
near the telegraph office, the reporter
stated his mission, with the remark tn at
he came out to hear from the men the NJ
selves-theic grievances, what they de-
man0, their future intentions, and all
the facts necessary to give them an Inn
partial hearing. One Of the men,
bidding the reporter to follow, ap-
preached box-car, on side track,
where form was indistinctly deserted
reclining on the bumper; pulling the
coat Of the man he said, "Tom, Tom
get up. Here's newspaper man that
wants to talk to you"
1t was Thomas l.. Dayson, a young
man with pleasant, frank face and dark
keen eyes, which shone in the laint MOON
light; the man who is regarded as the
leader OF the party, but who modestly
disclaims the distinction, saying: ''None
of US are leaders, Tvs every man for
himself in this thing" Soon the squad
was augmented by the arrival OF at least
one hundred men, who crowded eagerly
forward to see what was wanted with
"Tom."
When they became aware Of the nature
OF the contiaO, every one seemed anxious
| to take hand, and it was with difficulty
| that the reporter succeeded in quietlnR
| them sufficiently TO get a connected
statement.
From rambling conversation carried
on under the ''pale glimpses of the
moon" with that band oiAsober, hard
handed and determined men who are
standing out against what they regard
as an attempt on the part of their en-
ployers to reduce them ana their fami-
| lies (for most OF them are married men
to absolute Want-thiS was learned.
The trouble is simply this: The brake
men on this road have been getting UP
to Wednesday last 81 10 per day; at
least that was their nominal salary, but
which as a matter OF fact has not been
paid them at all since the first of last
May. There is the beginning of the
dissatisfaction.
When it Is known that some of the
men do not average more than tour days
in the week, and while on duty are con-
stantly away from home, subsistinX
along the route which, of course, costs
them more than to board at home, 1t is
readily seen that none OF them will ever
attain atiuence if they stick to the
brakes. But when the ''cuW came-a
reduction Of 20 cents day-then they
rebelled. Another thing maddens them:
the tiremen who before The reduction got
81 90 for ninety miles travel are cut but
10 cents per day, and conductors not at
ALL Owing to the groceries and pro-
vision stores refusing them further
credit, some Of the families OF the strik-
ers are suffering for the necessaries OF
life.
The men disclaIm any intention to
commit acts of violence either to person
or property, and point with pride to the
fact that no drunkenness has been
seen or will be permitted among them;
h,,t ri fTot
their emphatic manner, that no set of
men shall put the cars which they have
side-tracked in motion.
The following trains have been taken
possession Of: TWO at Brownstown, one
at Medora, tour ut Mitchell, all eastward
bound: two westward bound at this
place, one at Flemings, three at North
Vernon, one at Osgood, one at Washing.
ton, local freight and two gravel trains
and one work train here.
To prove that they do not intend to let
their strike degenerate into drunken
raid, they state with becoming pride
that in one Of those trains lying here are
three cars filed with beer in kegs, and
they are safe.
"How many men are now in this place
on the striker" is asked.
"We have sixty-hye, and by the tap oil
yonder bell we can be reinforced by five
hundred" said DaySon.
"What? Not that many more train
menf'
mo, sir; citizensl Every man In this
town is on our side, and they uphold US
in what we are doing. Why, the farm
ers through the country have assured
us that they will haul provisions into
town for us to live on as long as the Rail-
road Company persists in its cruel de-
mands. Tue best citizens OF the place.
sir, have taken sides with us. Just ask
any OF them, and you'll soon lind out
where they stand"
Are YOU men armed? Have you an
organiZationW
I'VE know where to get arms if need.
ed. And as tor an organization, as you
call it, we've got pickets all around this
yard, and not wheel can be turned nor
a switch opened unless we know it,"
The crowd of "Rangers" who came
here at O'Clock yesterday from Cincin.
natl, headed by Frank. Mitchell, did
nothing but clean out all the luncn
houses, and then left for home. They
didn't strike terror to the hearts of the
dIsatfected, as one OF them said III speak
ing OF them.
"That was the most coWardly crowd
of bummers L ever saw. Why, lady
said who saw them, Don't you brake
men touch that sweet lot; we old women
will just sweep them out OF town with