The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-07-25
employees OF DEERE & CO. QUIT
WORK.
The Proceedings of an Orderly Nature.

This morning when the whistle at Deere's
pillow works sounded the time for work to
commence, all hands filed into the various
departments and it appeared as if all
would be we'll. Shortly afterwards
meeting was held in the grinding room
and it was resolved to quit work at .once.
The grinders in body marched to the
blacksmith and other departments and in
less time than it takes to write this the
entire force quit the shops and marched
in orderly manner to the outside. There
was no demonstration of a violent nature
whatever The employees then repaired TO
Freja Hall, and organized meeting and
decided on united action.
Louis Beers was in the chair and w. r.
Oyler secretary. A committee consisting
Sof D. Stewart, John Quick, H. A, Sypher,
Swan Swanson, John Peterson and Mr..
Brideback was appointed to draft resolu-
tons to present to the meeting. While
the committee were out the meeting was
addressed by Mr.. King, Mr.. Heuystrom,
who spoke in the Swedish language; A.
E. Morey, A NJ Sypher. Lee Thompson,
Geo. Cornwall; Mr.. Asp, in the Swedish
language, was enthusiastically greeted and
applauded loudly throughout his remarks.
| VIM. Crawford made short and telling
speech, said he was getting $3.50 per day
and could live off that, but that there were
many among them getting only SLIT and
S1.25 per day, and these were the men
who sought redress; he was not in full
favor of this move in the first place, but
now that it had been commenced he was
the last man to back out; LET us stand
| firm together. It may be two, three, or
four days, or even three months, but LET
i it be long or short we must stand our
ground like men; and If necessity requires,
have five dollars to contribute for the
assistance of needy men," He was follow.
ed by Sam. Suman, James Festus. Ed
Fog, Chas. Aswage and a few others; al
couDseling cool and considerate action, dis.
countenaneing all Violent proceeding, but ex
pressing determination to hold the fort and
bring the employers to their terms. The
committee on resolutions entered at this
Ijuncture. and the first resolution pre-
scented, was, that all except men actually
in the employ of Deere d Go. be requested
to retire from the hall Immediately, which
was unanimously adopted, and reporters
and others compelled to leave. They
immediately went into secret session, ap
pointed committee of 5 to act as execu
tive committee and arranged for sup
porting the strikers.
At this meeting letter was received
signed by two of the Moline manufacturer
offering to contribute $4,000, to supper
Deere & Co.'S men during the strike
Offers of assistance have been informally
received from the employees of Buford
Co.'S shops, Rock Island, who say they ar,
satisfied with their wages, but will furnish
substantial aid to their brother workmel
in Money or any other way. During tn,
meeting G. Fl. Deere and Gilpin Moore tries
to gain admittance but Deere was refused
Another meeting will be held at 3 o'clocl
when the executive committee will report
No indications of strike at any othe
shop, and thus far everything is orderly.
: The Deere Strike--Secret Meeting thi
Afternoon.
A committee from the strikers waite
upon Deere & Go. this morning and re
quested that the shop be closed and y
work done uatil the strike was settled
y.