Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-08-05
SOUL OF THE STRIKE
Pen Pictures Of the Leaders Of the
Labor Revolt.
Tho Men Who Inaugurated the Great Strike
Against One Of the Greatest
MonopoIis Of the Land.

The men who originated the tele-
grsphers' brotherhood insugurated the
great strike against that great mono
poly, the Western Union, and who first
made it q chapter of the Knights of LII
Dor are John Campbell and Thomas
II. Hughes, both of Pittsburgh. Late
in the fall of 1880 Mr.. Campbell talked
the matter over with Mr.. Hughes, and
when the first of the year came round
their plans had been discussed over the
wire with every operator in the United
States and Canada.
John Campbell
vas born in Steubenville, Ohio, and Is
thirty.hve years of old. He is five feet
eight inches tall, usually dresses in dark
clothing, and wears eyeglasses. His
complexion is dark; bis hair and
moustache is black. He has promi
nent nose and black eyes. He is we'll
educated, and the tribute paid him at
the Chicago Convention OF the knights
of Labor, of Honest John Campbelp
is sufficient description of him, if his
career as telegrspher is expected. He
has been all operator for fourteen years,
and for six years sent press stuff from
Pittsburgh. He has the reputation of
being one of the most rapid and accur-
ate senders in the United States, and
never was known to have a "break,"
except on "plug,' as apoor operator is
termed,
Chomas Hughes,
Canpbell's coadjutor, was borL near
Pittsburgh in 1858. He is. tall, dark
cOmpleXioned and youthful looking.
He wears a small, dark mOustache. He
is called the thinker of the brother
hood, and recently was entitled by his
admirers the "Second Napoleon" 1t
vas he who, seven months ago, sent the
word over the wires that if the compa-
Iies did not accede to the demands of
the operators strike would he inaug.
urated, and he also personally commu-
nicated with every telegrapher in the
country. 1t is to him that the opera
tors were accountable. He is finely ed
uated and q capital speaker. He, to-
eether with Mr.. Campbell, signed the
first call for the brotherhood to meet at
the Chicago convention of the knights
81 Labor, held in 1881. John S. Nc.
Iellan is the next most active man in
the organization. He was born at st.
GATHERINGS, Ont, and is thirty.One
years old. He is light in complexion,
tiye feet ten inches tall, and, like Broth
Ell Campbell, wears eyeglasses, which
give him an austere appearance. He
is endowed with singular will power,
ard lis personal appearance at mass
nj ceilings is always the signal for an
outhurst of applause. He
Has studied Medicine
and now holds diploma as an NJ. d.,
though he has never practiced. He
ha, been an operator for twelve years.
His residence is Hoboken, at which
place he has been the press operator.
He is very rapid at both sending and
receiving, and was never known to
"hPak." He is an excellent speaker,
and his addresses at the meetings at
Caledonia and Irving halls have been
listened to with marked attention and
greeted with applause. He is also the
chairman of the Executive Board Of the
Knights of Labor. John Michel, the
master workman of New York, was
born at st. Johns, y. b., and is thirty
three years old. He is little man, but
one of the best operators in the world.
He was at the New York end of the
cable for many years. Up to the 26th
OF last May he was in the employ of
the Western Union, but when the word
came he went out and started a paper
called the Telegraphers' Advocate.
Since then he has been Jealous advo.
cate of their interests, and last May he
was made the
Head OF the Movement
in New York. He has presided over all
taeir meetings, and is considered to be
the best man for the position. He is
well-educated man, and Yields great
influence over the strikers, one of whom
said: ave love him as brother, re.
spect him as man and revere him as
leader. He was the man who caused
all the male telcgraphers in the cOun-
try to pledge themselves to refrain from
intoxicating drink, and TO him is due
the fact that so far not one case Of drum
kenness has been reported. Frank X.
Phillips, the man who gave the signal
'or the strike, is a stout, sturdy youth OF
twenty-five, and is called "Pud' for
short. He was born in Canada, and is,
well-educated. He has no hair on his
fare, and might easily he mistaken for
a well-fed doctor of divinity. These
are the men who control the l2.OUO
operators throughout the United States,
but as they
AreOnIy n Branch
organization, description of the men
who control them and 100000 Others,
will also be OF interest. Il. V. Powder
~, the grand master workman Of the
Knights of Labor, is mayor OF Scranton,
Pa, an office he has held for three
terms. He has been grand master
workman for three years. He is typi.
cal American, and if forty.three years
old. In person he is tall and com.
handing, and wears long and flowing
mcustache. He is a good speaker, Uses
everyday language, and knows when
to sit down. David Healey, the next
highest member of the organization,
has earned the title of honorable by be-
ing elected to the Legislature of New
York. He is a six-footer Of fine ad-
dress. His complexion is dark and a
thick brown nous tache ornaments his
upper lip. He is a good speaker, and
knows how to infuse into his audi
erces the enthusiasm which animates