Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-07-07
THE CHICAGO TROUBLES.
Several Trips Made bv Cars - Cars
Overturned and the Drivers and Con.
ductors Severely Handled.


CHICAGO, July 6.
Two hundred strikers, several of Pinker-
tons detectives, and few deputy sheritis
arrived at the Western Avenue car barn at
five O'Clock Monday morning, and half an
hour later 400 police were on the guard
They were detailed from five precincts, and
were commanded by Capt Bonfeld. Cars
will be run on Van Buren,, Madison, Rund-
lette and Lake streets. All the streets named
will be patrolled by the police and an effort
will be made to keep the car tracks free of
distractions. The fire department has been
instructed to be in readiness in case of any
disturbance. when liberal supply of water
Will be showered upon any parties manifest
ing disposition to break the peace. Stacks
OF arms and bayonets have been conveyed
from the police stations to the barns, and the
police, armed with these weapons, will charge
upon any persons who attempt to obstruct
the passage of the cars. Each car will be in
charge of two or three policemen, the object
being to allow many officers as possible
an opportunity to patrol the streets.
45 A. M.-Great crowds have hung
around the barns of the car company on
Western Avenue all the morning, but the
large force of police has been sufficient to
suppress any signs Of disorder. Under the
protection of the officers five cars were
made the journey down town without en-
counterlng any serious opposition.
IL A. M.-The cars are now running on
Lake and Randolph streets. Two trips down
have been made on the latter and a second
up is now being made. Everything was
quiet on the second trip. The cars were run
block and a half apart and police protection
was diminished. Passengers crowded the
cars and fares are being taken. The strikers
congregated in groupes of three or four along
the route and looked threateningiv at cars and
drivers. The people along the route stared
at the cars as if they were a new invention.
Trouble is still feared 1t is thought that
soon as the are left unguarded by the
officers that the conductors and drivers may
be roughly hand ed.
NooN-The street car company has sent
out four ears on Van Buren, street, which
made the down trip unmolested. The com
pany declares it will not start another line
until it can man ali of its cars. The men in
charge of the cars are nearly all new men.
None of the strikers have as yet shown any
sign of entering the company's employ. No
crowds are reported at any point The
police believe the trouble is disappearing.
The street Railway company, under pro-
lection of the police, is hourly enlargng its
service and there were no outward signs of
violence up to 3 o'clock. Four to six police
are to be found in each car but the number
of passengers being carried Is increasing
Shortly before o'clock this afternoon, the
situation along the lines of the west division
began to assume serious aspect. The
crowds in the street began to increase in size
and boldness features which eliminated in
an attack upon Van Buren street car.
The car was in charge of '.scab" CEN
ductor and driver and was guarded by four
policemen. 1t was followed by a second
vehicle similarly manned. A crowd of 800
had collected, hooting anC scotfing at the
"scabs." The police in the two cars jumped
from their seats and made charge on the
crowd to disperse it, thus leaving the cars
which contained few passengers practi-
cally unprotected. A portion of the crowd
made a detour, seizing car No CA, throwing
it from the track and upset it into the ditch,
horses cut loose and turned adrift. The
driver and conductor were severely clubbed
and fled for their lives. Several shots were
fred by the police, but without effect. A
patrol wagon filed with police was quickly
summoned to the spot and dispersed the
crowd. A second attack was soon made on
Madison street car. The conductor was
badly beaten and the car was overturned.
As in the former case the officers arrived
promptly on the scene and put the assailants
to flight. Two arrests were made. The
cars are stained with blood drawn from the
conductors and drivers.
About 4. 80 two Lake street cars were at
tackled and thrown from the track by the
bowling mob. The police rushed to the
scene and the crowd was soon put to flight
Nobody was hurt.
At 80 all the cars were run into the
barns at Western Avenue and it is stated
that they will not be started out again before
morning.