The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-09-14
The Wheels Did Turn.

and SO published in yesterdays edition
that the wheels Of the Augusta Factory
would turn. Most of our readers were
astonished at the announcement. The
Chronicle endeavors al all times to give
its readers news as quickly and reliably
as it can be obtained, and with that OBJ
iect we obtained and published the facts
in Yesterdays issue. Two members of
the staff were detailed to be present ut
O'Clock, and arrived almost before the
first paper announcing the fact that the
wheels of the mill would turn had left
the press.
Arriving on the grounds at daybreak
yesterday morning the scene presented
was striking INDEED. Matrons and maid
ems leaned from the windows of the fac
tory quearters around the Augusta, with
anxiety depicted op each face !; strong
men stood aboutiH groups talking the
matter over-quietly yet excitedly;
youths and boys moved hither and
thither, listening to the advice of sires
and eargerly drinking in every word Ut
tered and groups Of police officers were
seen at the principal entrances to the
mill and at adjacent street corners
about twenty in ALL.
Each new conner was taken for one of
the non-union men. Three telegraph
operators, who, moved by curiosity. had
gone thither to witness the opening up Of
the factory, were taken for, pointed out,
and jecred at as seabs. The factory op-
erativcs statioued> themselves at differ
ent corners and stopped each stranger,
who came towards the mill to know it
they were going to work.
The crowd gathered close around the
police, and while no violence was offer
cd, still they bore a menacing appear
ance, and used language which might
tend to drive away any intending to go
work. This was done by the young
arid indiscreet, the older heads being
calm and advising non-interference.
Cries or There he is ~ ''We've got
him spotted !' were heard, rs lean
lank. long figure. which was recognized
as mink Fleming was seen to enter
the Superintendent's ottie. Three more
followed amidst jeers in his wake. The
crowd now watched eagerly to catch n
glimpse Of the next to come. But pres
emily the four men, instead of going to
work, came out, and were received with
cheers.
1t was thought that the matter had
ended but the reporters had hardly
eaten breakfast and returned to the of
flee when they learned Of crowd col
lected around the office. Of the Augusta
Factory, in state of feverish excite
ment. The officers were inccnsed by
the false statements Of the operatives,
that the police had not given them pro-
lection, and one Of their number had adj
viscd them not to so to work. In con-
ference between Maj. Cumming and the
President, Mr.. phinizy, it was decided
that If the hands wanted to go to work
they should be protected and consc-
quently it was decided that the hands
would 60 to work at two O'Clock and the
wheels Of the Augusta Factory would
turn again.
EsCoRTHD TO THE MILL.
AS matter Of protection to the op-
eratives, Lieut.. Hood with squad OF
ten policeman escorted them to the
factory, where they entered upon the
discharge Of the work left by the strik-
ing pickers. Quite large crowd, pos
sibly four hundred, were assembled
about and around the Augusta Factory,
but made no boistcrous demonstrations.
Maj. Cumming and Col. Phinzy were
upon the grounds. The crowd had dis
perscd itself into small knots and were
discussing the situation with great Wig
or.
ARRIVAL OF MAYOR MAY.
About the same time Mayor May ar
rived in his buggy and Master Workman
Meynardie on foot Immediately they
were surrounded by the crowd, eager for
some word. Mayor May and Mr.. Mey-
nardie moved on to where Major Cum:
ming stood in the door Of the Superin-
tendcnts office. when pleasant ,courtc-
sizes were exchanged between Major Cum
ming and Mr.. Meynardie. Major Cum.
ming went into the Office while Mr..
Meyna rdic Hnnt thronnh Tho nro..d a Il