The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-02
The Great Mccormick Strike.

CHICAGO, ILL, March THE Nc
Cormick Reaper Works resumed oper-
atioos this morning, $50 men reI port
ing for duty. Great crowds were in
the vicinity CT the works etrly in the
morning, and to their presence is as
cribed the fact that a larger number
did not apply for work through fear of
intimidation. A large forcs of police
were on hand to preserve order, and
arrested three or four men who were
noisy and aggressive. The lbcked-out
men are to hold a mass.meeting this
forenoon near the works.
When the great bells sounded at
the works, not to exceed 150men had
entered the yards. Large numbers OF
workmen had appeared carrying their
dinner.pails, but were taken IN charge
by the stAkers, aud a great many
were prevailed upon to remain out
side. Great crowds OF strikers lined
Blue Island avenue, facing the works,
with the evident intention of intimi.
dating any men expecting 10 60 TO
work, and finally the police ordered
them back. They were slow 10 move
ct first, but when the order to tisperse
came a second time and the officers
advanced they turned aud an across
the prairies, scattering in all direc
tions. The dispensing of the crowd
restored confidence to the minds of
wavering ones, who had bsen pre-
vented from entering at first,
and they started huriedly for
the works. In five minutes there
were, according to Mr.. Mccormick
count $50 men at work in the various
departments. Superintendent Averill
said q number of the men had re-
Trained from returning, owing to hav-
ing received threatening notes last
night. By tomorrow he expected the
works would be in full operation. Mr..
Mccormick opened the yards in per-
SOD, and declared he would not shut
down now If he had but a dozen men
to do the work.
After the first dispersal Of the men
they began assembling again in little
groups in the neighborhood. When
requested to "move on" they refused
to do so, and about twenty OF them
were put into patrol wagon and
taken TO the Human Street station.
Fifty men had gathered in front Of
1867 Blue Island avenue, but none of
them were very belligerent except
Staniftof Condor, who is described as
as ringleader. He got upon a door
step and shouted in Polish, "NoI is
the time 10 act. Every man on his
pistol, and let US live or die for the
cause" Officer Marks was standing
by. He is familiar with the Polish
language, and when he heard the. in
cendiary outburst he grabbed Condor
and took him to the station. When
searched there a As caliber revolver
was found in Gendor's pocket. Most
Of the others had pistols. The men
who were arrested were taken to the
Human station and from there to the
West Twelfth Street station, where
they were arraigned before Justice In
gsrsoll on the charge of carrying con-
cealed weapons. No defense was made
in any of the cases, and the prisoners
were fined So each. The reaper works
are distant from the ourt-house five
miles, but the police headquarters
are kept fully advised of the situation.
Chief Of Police Ebersold was seen
this morning and said: Although
not apprehensive of any serious
trouble, still am prepared for the re-
ceipt of the very worst of news from
the Mccormick quarters. / sincerely
hope there will be 70 disturbance,
and from reports already received, l
am constrained to believe that the
day will pass quietly by without an
outbreak or disturbance of any nat
ure. / have an adequate force on the
ground for immediate necessities and
l have arranged matters 80 that with
in an hour from the time an alarm is
given | can swarm the Mccormick
premises with policemen. In time OF
peace prepare for wsr,' you know"
At 10 o'clock about 500 of the locked
out men formed a procession headed
by brass band, started for Working
mems Hall, corner of Twelfth and Wal
ter streets, to attend the meeting there.
Up to 10 o'clock thirty.three arrests
had been made in all by the police.
All these were made by officers in cit
izen's clothes, who were mingling
with the crowd. The greater num-
Der Of those taken in charge were
booked for carrying concealed weap-
one, revolvers having been found on
them. The remainder were charged
with violating section 3j3 Of the Grim
inal code, which refers to ri0tous as