Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-21
THE RAILROAD WAR.
THE POLICE INTERFERE WITH THE
B. 0. W0RKMEN,
On Their Own Property, Cause Them to
Suspend Work Several hours-Then
Conclude il is All Right, and
Kindly Permit Them
10 Resume.
THE ROAD TO GARRY THE WAR
INTO AFRICA"

The interference by the police with
the employees of the B. Il .. K. K. Co.,
who were engaged in laying switch on
Water street, on Monday last, is still
fresh in the minds of the public. The
men did not make any attempt to re-
sumo work on Tuesday, but the police
kept watch in the locality all day, and
late into the night. fearing that the COM
pany would endeavor TO steal march
by having a large force OF workmen
make the desired improvement IN the
night. Yesterday the caution OF the
force was relaxed, it having been con-
cluded that the company had given up
the intention OF completing the work.
Inthe course of the afternoon infor-
nation was given the City Sergeant
that the railroad company had gang
of hands at work. He fastened TO the
spot, accompanied by several police
men, several reporters, and a number
of other citizens who were attracted by
curiosity to see what the result OF the
mission might be. Arrived at the south
end of the passenger depot, in the rail-
road yard Just south Of the creek, a gang
of about thirty-five men were found
employed in constructing trustle for
a switch connecting with the main track
and extending toward the river at the
mouth of the creek. An immense crowd
of spectators was gathered to witness
the meeting between the officers and the
EMPLOYEES of the road. If they expected
any difficulty they were disappointed.
The Sergeant inquired by what author
itv they were engaged in the work, and
Mr.. George NJ. Whitescarver, who had
charge of a portion of the men, replied
that they were working under orders
from the company, in the cOmpany's
business, and upon the company's
property. Major Sweeney ordered
them TO desist, and after some parley
Mr.. Whitescarver and Arthur Sencil,
the other superintendent, agreed to sus-
pend operations until the Sergeant could
obtain instructions from the Mayor.
Whitescarver accompanied Sweeney at
his request in the search for the Mayor.
After they had left, Mr.. Sencil con-
cluded to go on with the work, and gave
orders accordingly; but Officer Davis,
who had been left in charge by the
chief, notified him that he had orders to
arrest any person who attempted to go
on with the work. Accordingly the men
again ceased operations, and an account
of the time which they were obliged to
spend idly was kept.
On the way to find Mayor Sweeney
the Sergeant and Mr.. Whitescarver call
ed upon Capt. Devries, who explained
that the work was upon property pur-
chased by the Baltimore Company from
the city. The purchase included all that
tract north of Webster (now Twentieth
street and west of Water street, and the
consideration paid was 81, 900.
The Mayor was not found until about
eight o'clock He disclaimed all re-
sponsibility for the action OF the City
Sergeant, and explained that the city
had no control OF the land upon which
the work was going on. Therefore
work will be resumed to-day, and the
trestle continued to a point one hun
dred and thirty feet west of Water
street. One of the officials of the b. q
o. Company upon being Intercepted
said that the switch was being laid be-
cause they needed more trackroOm, but
also for the purpose OF occupying the
land purchased from the city.
Last night notice was served by the
b. d o. Co. upon the city that proceed
ings would be entered for the purchase
bv condemnation of all the lands west
OF Water street and south of Twentieth,
belonging TO the city. This is carrying
the war into Africa, and placing the
city, instead of the railroad, upon the
defensive. 1t is also possible that suit
will be brought for damages to the COM
pany by the stoppage OF its workmen
yesterday.
Mr.. Nightingale, the boss of the men
who attempted to lay the switch on
Water street on Monday, and who
was placed under arrestt for vio-
lating the ordinance forbidding
the placing of distractions in the street,
will be examined before the police court
this morning. The company claims to
have rights in the matter which the city
is bound to respect, and it will make
vigorous fight to maintain them. 1t is
intimated that the course Of the Mayor
will be to cause the re-arrest, under the
ordinance, of Mr.. Nightingale and all
his men every day on which the alleged
obstruction remains upon Water street.
Altogether the affair, in its various
phases, promises to create litigation in
teresting to observe and almost endless.