The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-21
Gov. 0glesby Visits The Scene and Addresses
the Striking Switchmen-Ee Will Not Act
Until the Sheriff Exhausts His Powers.
Concessions by the Strikers Open a Way
for Settling New York Car Trouble.
Mr. Powderly Appears Before the House Sc
lect Committee, and States New Griev-
ances of Gould Employes-0ther News.
THE LAKE SHORE swITcHMEN.
Unsuccessful Effort To Move q Train-Gox
Oglesby Visits the Scene.


Unsuccessful Effort to Move Train-Gox-
Oglesby Visits the Scene.
CHICAGO, April 2O-This morning at daylight
Superintendent Amsden and General Freight
Agent Blodgett, of the Lake Shore road, were
promenading the tracks in the vicinity Of Polk
street. When asked about the prospects Of re-
Stunning business to-day Mr.. Amsden said: II
don't think that we will try to do anything to-
day. There is no use in trying to get train
past Forty-frst street."
In the yards this morning there was no change
in the state of affairs. The north branch OF the
stockyards ~" is still INSTRUCTED with the train
switched there yesterday, and the stockyards
dummy consumes from FIVE to ten minutes more
than usual in making trip, as it has to run to
Root street and back out to the yards. The
ended last night in failure.
At $50 o'clock engine No. go, in charge Of
Engineer Weaver and Fireman Merkler,
moved out of the round house into
the yards. General Superintendent Wright,
Yardmaster Jones and General Freight
Agent Blodgett were on the engine. As the en-
CINE moved into the yards one Of the strikers
approached the engineer, who only shook his
head in reply to questions put to him. The en-
CINE then proceeded south, toward where the
train which was attempted to be moved
yesterday Was standing, at Forty-fourth
street. The cars which were standing
there were surrounded by crowd of
the strikers, who removed the draw-bar
keys, completely disabling the cars. The engine
stopped north of Forty-th third street, and WAS.
II A..
side track. While an attempt was being made
to reach the side-track, coupling pins and other
distractions were put In front Of the wheels.
These were removed by the police, but just as
the engine was crossing the switch some one
tried to throw the switch between the engine
and tender The man was driven away. and
the engine was attached to the train. About
this time. the crowd at Forty fourth street. hay
ing succeeded in. disabling the cars there at
tempted to run the caboose which was attached
to the train in which the conductor and two
brakemen were, onto a side-track. The brake
men and conductor rushed onto the platform
and warned the crowd away. One of the men
picked up a couplingpin, and was about to
throw t at the brakeman, when the conductor
drew q revolver. The crowd rushed at the
brakeman and hustled him away, and some one
hit him on the head, knocking him sense
less. At this time the crowd left
the caboose and wentup to Forty fifth street,
where two cars standing on a side track were
moved down and derailed in front Of the engine
at Forty third street. General Superintendent
Wright gave up the attempt to move the train.
The crowd gave cheer lifted the car on the
track, and moved 1t back to its former position,
repaired several switches which had been broken
and the engine moved back into the round.
house.
Governor Oglesby has been in consultation all
day with Sheriff Hanchett and the officials OF
the Lake Shore road. The supervisor OF the
town of Lake said he was unable to afford The
railroad any protection against the mobs which
had collected 1t appears that the sheriff will
be called upon to organize a posse as the next
move before calling on the troops The officials
consulted appear to regard serious trouble as
very imminent Governor Oglesby declared that
he would not interfere until the sheriff has ex.
hausted all his powers.
Governor Oglesby visited the scene of the
strike this afternoon. He arrived at Forty first
street on special train at 1886 p NJ. General
Amsden. Yardmaster Jones, General Freight
Agent Blodgett and other officials were on the
train The Governor got out on the platform
and was soon surrounded by crowd of four
hundred or more He advised the men TO pre-
scrve peace and endeavor to have their diff
ferences adjusted in a more quiet way.
He said that strikes were futile to effect
any permanent change in the condition of az
fairs. He reminded them that the government
was organized by workingmen, to protect prop
erty and lives, and 1t would use force, if neces-
sary, to effect that purpose. He further said
that he was the instrument of the State to use
that power, and that while he deplored the
necessity that would compel him TO call out the
militia yet 1t might be his duty, and if it was
his duty, he would certainly do so.
He then wens on to picture the
scenes of bloodshed which would
follow such action. and called on the men to
avoid the loss of o single life by using little
forbearance and returning to work Governor
Oglesbys speech was not received favorably al
first, the crowd interrupting by such cries as,
You're wrong there. Uncle Dick" THAT amt
what we're driving at" ETC., but when the Gov-
ernor had finished the crowd broke into long and
hearty cheers which were kept up until the train
was pulled away. During the speech engine No.
l19 steamed out from the round house, but after
a conversation with the strikers the engineel
took il back again.
A conference lasting over an hour and half
was held this evening between the executive
committee Of the Switchmens Union, consisting
of shree persons. and Sheriff Hanchttt The
committee stated in full detail their side OF the
case, and endeavored to show the Sheriff that
there was no reason why he should side with tina
railroad authorities or take active measures to
assist the railroad company in tho moving o.