The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-08-03
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Rapids City Letter.


RAPIDS City, H., Aua. 3d. 1877.
To the Editors of The ARGUS:
| Ihe miners mass meeting, held on
Tuesday morning, about two miles below
here, resulted 10 a vote to demand a
restoration to old rates. of 81 per ton.
The operators held meeting Wednes-
day afternoon at Rapids City and we be-
lieye agreed to pay the asked for advance:
and some say Gilchrist Il Co. SO notified
their men. The meeting was composed of
Heagy Stoddard. Hampton Coal Mining
10, and Gilchrist & Go. Afterward, at a
later hour, they met again at Gilchrist's
house and modified it somewhat. The
modification being that the men work for
two weeks Tor the raise, and, then. if other
mines had not conceded the advance, that
they would drop back to the cut. $50
ihis the men we're notified of very late,
aud 1t caused great deal of dissatisfaction
among them: They have felt before this
that Mr.. Gllehrlst was their friend, but
now class him with the rest aud say he is
no better than any of the operators To
near them talk one w,uld conclude that
they Will not accept any terms hereafter,
until sure that they are bona tide. The
Two weeks proposition was scorned by the
miners. They are very orderly and quiet
ana DO not intend to raise any disturbance
or DO any thing out of the way. The coal
company stores were closed all day yester.
Gay and we suppose they will remain |
closed until the strike is settled. These
company stores here caused great DEAL
OF dissatisfaction among the men. who
are gwen TO understand that thew must |
trade there and nowhere else, and the |
poiicy OF the comI anieS is, the men say, |
that their pay should just about balance |
their store atclunt.
We hope that the difficulty regarding
prices will soon be amicably settled to the
Of both parties.
Nearly all parties and companies who
get their supply of coal from here have |
stock on hand sufficient to last month or
longer, SO that no uneasiness will be felt
tor while, regarding supply of coal. The
heoSuk Northern Line, aud Diamond Joe
Packet Cos; c. Lamb 4 Son., Clinton:
boat yards at Bort Byron and lie Claire:
Q. q n. w. railway. and large private
trade are supplied from the mines here.
and must all of them have enough on hand
20 last quite while, and, as now
y the dullest season of the wear,
here will probably be no scarcity
At Happy Hollow, the feeling was the
same as at Rapids City Peases men.
-aree or four OF them in all, were granted
ne advance, but again struck for a check
"elghman. The proprietor gave them an
hour IN which to make up their minds
what to do; either go in at the advance or
lult; he would allow no check boss. 7
'ould not learn what was done further
deagy Il Stoddard say thew have their
contract parties well supplied. and can
tand lay off easy for a month or more,
some apprehend that there NAV be
destruction of the obnoxious COMPANY
torres at Happy Hollow, Hampton. and
lere, Out do not .entertain any such
IDEAS. Ii would only be to their disadvan-
age to burn or destroy the stores, and
Vould lead to bringing soldiers in to pro-
ect them. The real truth is, the men
want tar pay for dangerous work, and
nough to enable them to support their
amiIies comfortably, and have no idea
4 committing any lawless depreciation
having too much good. sound
common sense to attempt it. The town is
'ery quiet and no business of any kind
;olng on. All is at a stand still, waiting on
he strike.
Mrs. W. J. Webb,of Wisconsin, is here
pending few days with her son. D, J.
Webb, agent W. U. BY.
Mrs. q. j. Rowe, wife of the elder of
christian church. here. is quite sick with
holeTa morbus.
Samuel knight. surveyor and engineer
". u. KY. is here on business connected
With Gichrist 4 Co.'S track.
Marshal Williams went up to Port
5yrop' by request. few days ago, to
rrest the inmates of the floating palase,
moored opposite for hacking a fellow
nth a Ratchet, He did his work
reditably;so much so that day before yes
erday he was sent for again to go to
jordova, to arrest lot of fellows con-
erned IN fight | heard b. Bell
Tas interested in it. If SO I hone YOU
lpannd then, nnt Rod n q