Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-06-25
Strike at 0scoda.

SABLE commenced the carry part U
last week. The men of the mills o
the Oscoda Salt & Lumber Co., ant
of the j. f. Potts mill, refused to 6,
to work on the morning Of the 10th
They formed line and marched to tn,
other mills. The crews of some mills
Joined them and other mills were or
dered to stop running. The only dis
turbance that took place, is reported
at the mill Of Pack, Woods e. Co
Greene Pack alone faced the entire
body of strikers, and forbid their en-
tering the premises, Revolvers were
drawn, but, fortunately, no shots were
fired. In the midst of the excitement
Mr.. Pack turned the water hose on
the crowd. They seized the hose and
turned it on him, and Mr.. Pack was
thoroughly drenched. He also receiv-
ed some slight injuries on the face.
The strikers were now in full pos
session of the town and had every
thing their own way, and all mill work,
boom work, and dock work ceased.
No vessels were allowed to be loaded,
and workmen at other business were
compelled to cease work.
Last Saturday the sheriff of Iosco
county telegraphed for troops, and the
Alpena Guards and the Bay City COM
pany were ordered to the seat of war.
The call for troops was received at
this city Saturday evening. Captain
Frank G. Holmes was still commander
of the Guards, as phos. +. Oliver was
absent, and had sent in his resignation
some time before. Captain Holmes
took vigorous and energetic steps to
get the company together, and, con-
sidering the sudden notice and the
lateness Of the hour, succeeded in a
manner that was very creditable to
himself and men. The necessary pre-
parations were hurriedly made; the
boys got together in the Opera House
knapsacks, guns, blankets and other
accoutrements were served out, and |
about ten o'clock at night, the COM
pany marched to the wharf of NJ. n.
& Co., and embarked on
board the troopship Harmon, general
ly known as tow barge. The harbor
tug Effie L. was converted into q gun
boat and towed the barge to Oscoda.
Admiral Thos. X. Lillis was in SUI
Dreme command and was ably assist
I'd by his lieutenants, Albert Pack,
Judge limerick. f. w. Fletcher and
DR.. Newton. The bottom of the lake
was found twice on the voyage down,
md the troops arrived at Oscoda ear
y Sunday morning.
AT this time there was considerable
excitement at this city, and a large
,rowd assembled to see the company
Among them were many
aides who had come to bid their sol
liers boys farewell, Sensational news
# all kinds was flying about at that
ime. One rumor said that Packs
Mills was in flames; another that the
Mills were all to be burned on Mon
lay morning. The chances were that
he boys would receive an unpleasant
greeting on their arrival, and this
ceiling put considerable seriousness
nto the embarkation.
Sunday morning considerable
lumber of the citizens embarked on
he steamer City of Cleveland, deter
mined to see for themselves what was
oing on at the seat of war, and be-
ieving it good way to get at the
acts, we went along. The steamer
eft Alpena about 8:43 o'clock in the
corning, local time, and in about
hree hours and a half the Cleveland
cached Oscoda, short stop being
nado at Huntsville. The trip was a
cry pleasant one the water smooth,
he temperature agreably cool, and
ime passed swift. Dinner was hur-
iedly eaten, partly while the steamer
ny at Oscoda.
On the wharf there were no signs
f any disturbance. A large number !
f the citizens were present, dressed $
n their Sunday garments. Hotel t
uses were on hand as usual. Plenty a
f ladies were present, and a few sol !
iers in undress uniform were loafng '
bout. No signs Of war or distur-
ance could be seen. Il
The intention Of those who went
n the Cleveland was to return on the t
teamer City of Mackinaw, and they
ad thus about four hours time to
isit the town and make investiga- {
ons. '
To get at the situation from the '
,rikers' point of view, was a very
asy matter. They appeared very {
filing to state their case, and we ]
Jon got in conference with some who \
ppeared to be leaders. Making our s
fishes known, we were informed that il
le situation as regards them and r
leir troubles and grievances, were as 0
Flows; VI