Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-05-28
vas attracting attention K

was attracting attention q
became member Of the Columb
crary society, where he made hi
reputation Is speaker. He alsop(&
course at commercial college. Az
ter the term Mr.. Powderly resumed his
studies at home. He formed the per-
sonal acquaintance in 1876 of Uriah
Stephens, who was then at the head OF
the Knights of Labor. He used his in
flucnce in Mr.. Powdcrly's favor, and he
was made the head of the labor organ
ization in Scranton. During the strikes
of 1877 he urged peace and moderation,
and his counsel ut that time, given in q
quiet way, probably saved thousands OF
dollars worth of property in Scranton.
Following the riots the labor organ
ization nominated full county ticket
at the fall election. Mr. Powderly was
made = member of the county COM
mittee. People cndeavorcd to ridicule
them out Of the contest, but the ticket
was elected by II large majority The
following spring Mr. Powderly was
nominated by the labor party for mayor
of Scranton and he was elected. The
republican press charged Powderly with
being the candidate of the Molly Ma
guircs, and predicted, in the event of
his election, that the city would be turn,
ed over to that lawless gang of ruilians
but it only served to arouse the syn
thy of the people in his behalf.
people o. Carbonate Endorsed hD
strongly. Mr.. Powderly made n most
excellent and conservative mayor3
Two years later when he was again
nominated by the labor party for mayor
his predecessor, McKune, came all the
way from Canada to take hand in
working for his election, and the neY
time after that the democrats indor5
his nomination. He could have bd
elected again but he declined. :
49, Powderly Is now entering on l.
scycnfr% aS general master wor
man of the Knights of Iabo
stephens died in 1879, and Nj
derby. who held the position
power. that of general worthy fore,
became his successor. During
terms of office the Knights ot \
have grown from Il comparatively
significant gathering into IN Orgy
ton of the greatest power and il
lance, with membership reaching
UP in the n'eighborhood Of tito. nj
Mr.. Powderly's moth II a.
ten years ago. Some id9aAc
and extent of the family ca4
from the fact that sixty w
grandchildren were gatE
funeral. Mr.. PowderlA
no children. His fathei
first term as mayor. Most
toa city officials went to Cam
attend the funeral. loo
In spite of all his OPP ollie,
Powderly is still a poor the !,
in very modest COTTAGE o..
skirts of Scranton, and it is dog
if the house, lot and furniture
bring more than $500 if put
sale. The salary of his POI
is only $1,000 year, but
travelling expenses are paid by th
ganzation. Mr. Powderly does NJ
pear to be changed by his advancem
He has the same kindly greeting y
his friends as when he was an ord,
machinst. He is not without ambit
but it is believed to be confined entiI.
to the cause which he represents.
has been urged to accept the nomi
ton for congress in this district, an
his case it would be equivalent to(
election. but he has declined pc
emptorily.
His whole life has been conseo
to the cause which he represents
does not go out in the ST. . e
now making against diseas4 : -
ture unfolds itself before h.