The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-12-07
a Row AT SILVER BOW.
The Railroad Men on Their Muscle.

There was quite an exciting time at Silver
Bow junction last Friday evening, after the
arrival of the south bound Express from
Garrison, and pending the departure oil tine
switch train to Butte. Ii appears that an
employe off the Northern Pacific at Garrison
had pointed out to the train men at that
place as "a spotter," j. s. Leaver, stone
mason now residing at Butte, but formerly
resident of Deer Lodge. At Silver Bow
junction there were number OF road men,
and Roadmaster Rice, through an affair with
another man, whether in fun or earnest does
not appear, got into row with Leaver Pis-
tolls were drawn and q shot fired, but no harm
done. Leaver went into the car, but was fol-
lowed, taken out, and after being roughly
handled, run into the waiting room of the
depot, where a San Francisco drummer
called for a rope to hang him. Emanuel ia
cobs, who knew Leaver and did not believe
him guilty, took on himself to explain
things and was choked by the Northern Pa
cific man. who had pointed out Leaver as
"spotter." Conductor McElroy was imph-
Gated AZ expressing his opinion of "spotters
in general and this one In particular. Mr..
Mclaughlin, agent, and Mr.. Hood, conduc-
tor on the Butte train, appear to have acteu
with excellent Judgment in suppressing the
difficulty, and nobody was hurt extensively.
Mr.. Leaver swore out n complaint alleging
he had beer Iobbed of Sl55, and a number of
the railroad employees were arrested, tried at
Butte and acquitted, Mr.. Rice being held IN
81 300 for assault with intent to do great bod
lily injury.
Perhaps everybody does not know what
this "spotter" business is. Mr.. Leaver SAID
he did not, previously TO the row ut Silver
Bow junction. Spoilers" are persons EN-
ployed by railroad companies TO travel on
trains and act as spies on conductors. Ihey
| watch and note the fares he receives; Keep
count of the passengers and the miles they
| travel endeavor to put up short fares or I'M
pose on the generosity OF the conductor IN
getting to ride few miles on some pretext !;
| they try to sell "scalper" tickets to railroad
EMPLOYEES watch the rebate tickets, and in
| short subject railroad men to the meanest
and most contemplate espionage. For this
| purpose men and women in various avoca-
| tions are employed and while pursuing some
| other business travel free in consideration OF
| their services Perhaps they get paid beside.
| On their Recommendation conductors are
| frequently discharged. This "spotter" bust
ness has grown to be really n department
| in railroad companies. 1t is in full blast all
| over the Northwest. OF course railroad men
| hate these spies. 1t seems to uS an honest
conductor would feel just rs indignant ut be-
ing subjected to their espionage as dishon'
est one would be and If man knows he is
| .l.t st - naH hn IL n
and all the company is playing for is to catch
him at it, it makes him hot or he reconciles
himself to the situation and plays for even
| We know railroad men that are as square as
a cube but you say "spotter" to them and
there Is blood in their eyes i'll flash. Any
coed man feels and resents the degradation
Of being watched like thief There are
plenty of hoEsst men who are railroad con
ductors. The company must have conduc
tors. 1t is cheaper and better to have expe
rienced and capable men in the position, IL
they are paid double wages. One wreck
may cost more in money than it would tc
double the wages of every conductor on the
road. Why not then pick out men of known
ability and demonstrated integrity, gave
them salaries their abilities and work justify
and let them know they are trusted and theii
integrity is relied on? That is the way bust
ness men do. We believe If this method
were adopted by any company, not only a
relates to conductors, but engineers, it woult
not only get rs much money for fares, but /
would save very much OF the mismanage
ment, delays and wreckings consequen
on green and incapable men, who destro.
4 property and life and Inconvenience The
public As it is now the roads are covered
with male and female spies. They are, from
4 the very nature of mankind, sneaks and un
( worthy of trust. Yet on their reports capa
\ BILE men are fired out" and others tried, ant
they in turn "fred" and whole line of elm
ployees kept topsey turvey and shifting, sus
picious of any man who is "queer" and ven
: their indignation in just such occurrences a
, ! that at Silver Bow. The company that Wi
select conductors Of capacity, experienc
, and good character, give them good wage
. | and shut off the spoilers" will find its ba
auce sheets show better footings and have
q morale on the road that can never lie attaine
: while every man who handles dollar
spieA as F he were a thief.