Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-07-04
THE STREET CAR STRIKE.
An Attempt Made TO Run the Cars
Under Police Protection "A Large
Number of Arrests Nade-Chicaso in
an UprOar.
CHICAGO. july 3.

The West Division Street Railway COM
pany started few cars from their barns on
Western avenue this morning. About a
block from the starting point it was found
that the progress of the cars was prevented
by lumber and gas pipes piled up on the
track. The police removed this bsrricade
unmolested by the strikers Fifteen patrol
wagons loaded with police ~ere placed along
the street, and every corner at Madison street
has its strong force of police, Madison street
bridge being douby guarded.
At Hayne avenue the strikers or their SYM
pathixers had gained access to lot of show
els which had been used by the gas COMPANY
trench diggers, and piled huge bank of dirt
on the track. The foreman of the gas CON-
pany gang, finding the shovels left by the
strikers, took possession and locked them up
SO that when the police arrived they found
only workmen present minus their shovels
The pulice captain, it is reported, asked the
men for their shovels, and on replying that
the foreman locked them up, it is stated that
the police commenced using their clubs on
the gas works employees, and several men
were terribly beaten, some having their heads
split open.
Under the protection of the entire police
force of the city, six cars sent out by the
Western Division street railroad company
succeeded in making their way into the busi-
ness centre of the city, encounterlng no op-
position beyond that mentioned which proved
to be not very serious. Cars were protected
with policemen, and in fact the whole thor
oughfare is lined with them.
The police have already made more than
one hundred arrests of persons suspected of
inclination to impede the progress of the
cars or who refuse to obey the injunction of
the police to quit the thoroughfare. These
were carried off easily in patrol wagons to
police stations. The cars made the return
journey to Western avenue without any en-
counter, anu were started east again for an
other trip
Madison street, along its entire length, is
filled with excited strikers and their SYM
pathizers and curious spectators. The win
dows of buildings overlooking the street are
also filled with people. Outside of this in
the street, however, there is no semblance of
excitement. and business is being pursued
without any apparent reference to the strike
or its consequences.
LATER-The street cars on their second
trip pown town made the journey safely. The
police, however, assumed the offensive and
arrested every body making the first sign OF
desiring to create disturbance. The favor
ite cry of onlookers the cars were passing
appeared to be Rats" but everybody detect
ed in the jeering cry was Immediately placed
under arrest 1t was generally understood
that the police had orders to shoot, which
made the crowd, if it had anv intention of
becoming unruly, hesitate about attacking
the cars. When the cars began their return
trip, Mayor Harrison appeared on the scene,
on the corner of Halstead and Madison
streets, on his grav charger, where he drew
L. la el,,,
street, and waving his hand to the crowd be-
gan to make a speech.
The police have only been compelled to
make one serious rush this morning so far
at Hayne avenue while clearing away the
barricade erected there. The crowd became
very noisy and aggressive. Lumber, gas
pipes. huge boulders. bear kegs, barrels, dirt
and every available sort of debris were used
in obstructing the track. The disturbance
became so great that the newly employed
drivers began to flee from the cars and the
strikers began to close in upon them.
The police ran to their defence, and Capt
Banfied clubbed two of the strikers severely
over the head. One of the injured men, PAT
Conway, Is supposed to have had his skull
crushed. Immediately after this incident
Capt. Banfield called out "Shoot the first
man who throws stones; that's the order"
There were scenes of excitement along the
route on both trips made by the cars. Six
men were sighted on ope-story blacksmith
shop whose appearance were deemed threat
ening, and the police charged through the
building carrying them of to a man, although
they claimed to be merely spectators.
Great crowds had gathered at several of
the street corners, but by simply making a
show of authority the streets were cleared by
fho xrif cuh Tpa vii Z
street, Lieut.. Laughlin with but twenty men
made detour on patrol wagons and surprised
a lot of active sympathizers placing obstruc-
tions on the car tracks. Those busy people,
however, caught sight of the bluecoats just in
time to make an escape.
l.30 p. M-The street cars have made a
third trip without molestation. The crowds
are not quite so dense, and the excitement
appears to have in q measure subsided. No.
body but policemen, however, are riding on
the cars, and the company is net sending out
cars except when thoroughly guarded.
CHICAGO. July 3.
The West Division Street Car Co., has
taken all its cars from the track and it is an
nounced will make no further effort to run
them before Monday. The company has
taken this action, it is understood, in view of
the fact that tomorrow being holiday the
streets will be crowded with people, making
the consequences of possible riot so much
more serious, and the greatly augmented
number of idle svmpathizers tending to add
to the probability of a disturbance. Cars
having been Withdrawn all is quiet and no
further trouble is anticipated tonight.
HORRIBLE CASE OF CRUELTY.