The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-05
NEW THING In LABOR TROUBLES.
Women and Children Prevent the Moving of
Cars Loaded by NOn-U Men.

CHICAGO. June 4-There was report this
morning. at Cummings, that the Rock Island
road would move four cars loaded with nails by
the new men at the Calumet nail works. AS
several of the strikers had been enioined from in
terferng in any way with the working of the mills,
the removal of these cars was prevented in pecu
liar way. Ten o'clock was the hour when the
engine was expected up from South Chicago,
and before that hour women and children. to the
number Of 2O0 the wives and families Of former
employees, assembled, with sticks in their hands,
around the terminus of the railroad tracks, and
opposite to the entrance of the nail works Fe
male spies were sent down the tracks, towards
South Chicago, to apprise the party of the en-
gine's approach
While these were keeping guard, contingent
was dispatched to the residence of Tom Bethel,
non-union man, who was moving to Colehour
for safety. Mrs. Bethel was alone, superintend-
ing the packing of the household goods, when
she was startled by the beating of tin pans and
the widest boots and yells imaginable. Sew
eral windows were smashed by powders, and
she was berated roundly by the women and
children until the police dispersed the party.
They returned to the depot, and at the same
time one of the pickets came running along the
track waving her shawl and shouting, ITO the
cars" This was signaling the approach of an en-
CINE. Then there was a rush to where the
loaded cars were standing Mothers, with in
fants in their arms and dragging youngsters by
the hands, hurried along All ages were repre-
sented. The mothers grouped their little ones
along the track, some distance apart, and pick
eted them according to age along the rails, the
youngests towards the approaching
CINE, the mothers and grown up
daughters taking position in the rear The
engine steamed up slowly short distance, but
seeing the living obstacle on the track, reversed
and returned to South Chicago. Then the
Amazons dispersed and on their return jeered
and abused the representatives of the company
at the gate, calling them the most opprobrious
Names and violence was only prevented by the
presence of the police.
At 2 o'clock, when an engine appeared again,
fully 1000 women and children were thronging
the tracks, and apparently as determined as be-
fore to hold them Captain Hunt, with sixty
policemen from Hyde Park had reported in the
meantime and attempted TO clear the tracks but
could do it only with great difficulty The
women, feeling sure they would not be dubbed,
refused to move; or moved very slowly when
told to do So and closed up again on the tracks
unless absolutely held back by the officers. Late
this afternoon they were still thronging about
the cars, ard the engine was unable to get by
them without killing them. The greatest ex
element prevailed, and all attempts made to
move the cars proved futile.
During the evening the tracks were finally
cleared of the women and children Then q new
complication arose. The trainmen unanimously
refused to lift q hand toward moving the two
ears loaded with so-called ''scab" nails. The
Rock Island officials at once discharged the en-
tire crew-engneer. fireman, and ali concerned,
including the switchman. There is possibility
that the affair will lead to serious trouble be-
tween the railroad and the various unions of
which the offending trainmen are members