The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-06-29
THE STRIKE AT LA SALE.


of the Ottawa Guards received an order from his
commanding officer to 20 with his company to
La Sale on the o'clock train, and for time
there was great hustle and excitement among the
boys of the company, and about s o'clock in the
evening they gathered at the armory about fifty
strong-a much larger number than usually
turns out for drill or parade. To the boys this
WIS war, and they responded to the call with
alacrity and an eagerness unexpected by many.
Having provided themselves with blankets and
other necessary comforts, each men was supplied
with thirty rounds of ammunition, and having
bid their weeping wives, sweethearts, mothers
and sisters fond farewell, they were ready to
start for the scene of action. The company
marched to the o'clock train, accompanied by a
large and enthusiastic crowd of citizens, where
they were met by Lieut.. Col. Fithian, command
ling 18th Battalion, and Adjutant Cagwin, who
were on their way to La Sale. Capt. Smith was
instructed to return to the armory and hold the
company in readiness to come on the 2 O'Clock
train, which he did, and about IL o'clock received
a telegram to come on the first train. The boys
were again marched to the depot, and were met
on the train by the Joliet Citizens Corps, "A
strong and the Marseilles Guards 81 in number.
After an uneventful ride the companies were
landed at the old depot in La Sale, and were
formed and marched up the hill TO the armory OF
the La Sale Light Guards who were found on
duty there. As everything was quiet, arms were
stacked, guards posted, and the boys spread their
blankets on the floor and tried to sleep the re-
naming hours Of the eventful night away, and
dream of the terrible carnage the morrow would
bring forth. The morning dawned clear and
bright and as the daylight appeared the boys
crowded the windows to catch glimpse, if pos
siblc, of the enemy, but they discovered nothing
but quiet, sleeping toyn. As the morning ad.
vanced and the citizens became astir and learned
that regiment of militia had entered their town
in the night, theyiwere very much astonished,
and crowded around the armory to get sight OF
the "sogers."
Mayor Duncan, of La Sale, and Sheriff Stevens
appeared at the armory early in the morning,
from whom our reporter, who was present,
learned the following particulars in regard to the
strike, the trouble anticipated, and the call for
troops:
It appears that few days before misundcr-
standing occurred between the proprietors and
EMPLOYEES of the Union Coal Shaft in regard to
the cleaning of two rooms, which amounted to
the paltry sum of eight dollars. On the refusal
on the part of the mine owners to adjust the mat
ter the men event OUT on strike. The strikers
made dire threats against the mine bosses and
intimated that they would use violent means to
prevent "blacklcgs" from going to work in the
mines. Notwithstanding this, however, about 81
men from Peru continued to work. On Monday
morning about three hundred strikers assembled
at the mouth of Union Shaft, intent on prevent
ing these men from going to work. They did
not use any force, but by threats and persuasion
cndeavored to stop the men from going down,
but without success. Again on Tuesday they
used every endeavor to prevent these men from
going to work, and, us violence was apprehend-
ed from the strikers the men who wished to work
were escorted to the shaft by Capt. Palmer's In.
dependent Zouaves, Of Peru.
On Tuesday the Mayors of La Sale and Peru
considered the situation serious enough to call
upon the Governor for the aid OF troops. The
latter telegraphed at once to Lieut.. Col Fithian,
of Joliet, to personally visit the scene of the dis
turbance and, if necessary, call out his battalion
He also notified Sheriff Stevens to repair to La
Sale and assist in preserving the peace, which
he did at once, and remained until all danger
rival and investigate of the trouble, found that
it would warrant the calling out of u part of his
command, which he did as above stated.
About 6 o'clock on Wednesday morning par
ty of about 200 strikers assembled on vacant lo
nearly opposite to where the militia were quar-
tered, and held a meeting, which was addressed
by the president of the Miners Union, james
Mclaughlin, and James Kelly. Mclaughlin be
gan by abusing Mayor Duncan and Others in au
thority He urged the men TO stand by eacl
other and stick out for their rights and privileges
but advised them to refrain from any acts of vic
Hence or doing any mischief. Amotion prevailed
to telegraph their side of the story to the Gov
crnor, and the meeting adjourned to meet at thu
Union Shaft. The meeting was orderly through
out, and nothing of a violent nature was done.
Sheriff Stevens met the strikers at the mines
and advised them to be careful and use only
peaceful means to secure their claimed rights
He received promise from them that they would
do So and refrain from violent measures.
After this it was not considered necessary Il
keep the militia there any longer, and they were
train. The invaders after hrcakfasting at tn,
Harrison House, passed the long and tedious
forenoon as best they could in the hot and dust,
armory and stroling about the streets. Short,
before the time to 20 the train the Ottawa boys
al the request of the other companies, gave
short exhibition drill, which they went through
with in a very credltablc manner, and were great
ly admired by the others and complmented b.
the officers of the battalion.
The companies then formed and marched t
the depot, headed by martial music, making
quite formidable display upon the streets.
| The boys were quite Disguised with the mono'
ony OF the affair, and were glad when once start
ed for home, and voted La Sale Il disagrceabl
place and this occasion big scare over nothing
, No further trouble has occurred there up 10 thi
WRITING and none il autiCipated.