Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-06-18
BlACKLISTEO.
Driven From Place to Placc-An In
cidcnt of Shameless Dis
crimInation.

A robbery had been committed. a
man almost ragged was arrested by
one of those shrewd detectives against
whose piercing gaze sheet iron cannot
successfully stand When the man was
taken into court for preliminary trial,
it was easy enough to suspect him. for
having been accused of n crime. he
The magistrate addressing the prison
er, asked Il few questions and then,
turning to the detective who had made
the arrest he inquired
What caused you to suspect this
man?"
well, your honor, he happened
here a few days before the robbery
was committed and being of suspicious
appearance | watched him. | asked
him his name and he said it was Barnes.
but shortly afterward | heard that his
name was Powell lost sight of him
on the night of the robbery, but early
next morning | saw him trying to sneak
out of town. so thought that he ought
to be arrested.
Il think" replied the magistrate,
"that YOU acted rightly in making the
arrest. Now turning to the prisoner,
''can you explain your conduct and es-
pecially can you explain why you 90
under two names?'
Judge, first let me explain why |
have two names and that will explain
my conduct Understand. now, that !
do not beg for mercy. That time is
past. am now hardened. | will not
detain you long. but ask you-and this
is all | do ask-to believe me. Two
years ago | was the master mechanic in
a large railway machine shop. l re-
ceivcd good wages and my family. con
sisting of wife and two children, lived
as well as any family III town. | was
most happily married. and sometimes
ut evening. when my little boy climbed
up and begged me to tell him just one
story. | wondered if such happiness
could last
Zone day was discharged. | was
never more astonished in my life.
humbly asked the cause of my dismiss
al and was gruilly told that it was be-
cause | was not wanted any longer.
They should have given me notice, still
| did not complain aS recognized their
right to employ whom they pleased.
When | went home and told my wife
that | had been discharged, she put her
arms around my neck and said: Never
mind, dear, you can soon get another
place. The very next day | started
out in search of work. ! had spent my
| fe in machine shops and could do no
other kind of work. ! went to town
not n great distance away from my
home and applied for work.
81 believe we are needing a man.
said the superintendent. What Is
your name"
John Powell, replied
''He went into an inner Office and
after remaining few moments he re-
turned and said: No, we don't want
YOU.
''By this time my money was nearly
gone but had not the heart TO write
home for more for had left but enough
all had-to sustain my family a few
weeks. | went to another town. GER
tain that | should obtain work. for one
of the machine shops in the place had
advertised for men. The head man
asked me my name and then, pointing
to bench. told me to sit down and
wait until he came back. He was not
gone long. When he returned he said:
Don't want YOU
"'My dear sir. | replied. i am a
skillful workman and only ask YOU for
a trial. Then if my work don't suit
You, I'll leave.
you'll leave anyway he replied
rs he turned away.
by this time my money was exhaust
ed, but | could not stOp-l must push
my way onward. | wrote TO my wife.
telling her that had not succeeded in
getting work but that thought my
prospects were good ] told her to
write To me. giving aS my address a dis
tant town. l had hoped to get over the
road but failed. | knew why \ promi-
nent railroad official told the engineers
not 10 let me ride. After walking
many weary miles ! reached the town
and applied fol- work.
I'VE don't want YOU said the
superintendent.
"'Why?' demanded.
Because You are blaclllisted.
"My COD, man. what have | done.
81 don't know and | don't care a
damn, but YOU are blacklistcd.
Il went to the postoflice. found a
letter addressed in an unfamiliar hand.
| was disappointed. had hoped to re.
ceve a letter from my wife. ! tore
open the envelope. Here is the letter.
Read it, Judge"
The Justice read ~ follows 1T is
my painful duty TO write this. Your
wife, having greatly exposed herself in
moving from the house which belonged
to railroad oficial-shc had to move
contracted Il severe cold and died OF
pneumonia. Your little children are
at my house.
That is the letter received, Judge.
Several weeks ago heard that my little
boy was dangerously ill-not expected
to live. ] dragged myself to this town,
where | learned that my little girl and
the boy upon whom had ccntered my
hopes, had died of diphtheria. | could
do nothing. was crushed with griei
broken down with despair. Then
changed my name go that | might earn