, 1890-07-27
AT ROCK SPRINGS.
A Deeply Interesting Account of
the Strike Situation.
Foreigners Charge the Americans
With Breaking Faith.
A Riot Threatened, But the Move.
ment Was Stopped.

The Rock Springs Independent received
Yesterday contains an interesting storS on
the strike situation and happenings about
the mines during the week.
When the Fins, Austrians and Italians
heard that a number of the English
speaking men, or Mormons, as they called
them, had gone to work, they held a big
meeting at No. 4. They appeared to be
much excited, and as near as could be
learned their grievance was that the men
had gone to work contrary to the vote Of
the meeting the Sunday previous. That
they had gone out in accordance with the
wishes of the "Mormons'' and now the
latter had zone back on them and against
the vote OF the majority. They were
further excited over a notice OF the com
panv that all men who did not 90 to work
the following day would lose their places,
and they voted unanimously that they
would not go to work.
After the meeting closed they formed
in double file and marched over town to
the music of an ACCORDION in the hands of
a big Italian. There we're at least 100 in
line and they marched with considerable
military precision. They were followed
by quite a body of unorganized men.
Considerable trepidation was felt over
town when this large body was seen
marching over. The marshal and his
deputies, Sheriff Whitmore and a number
OF citizens started over and met them at
the new bridge, where they had been
halted and were being ~harangued by ma
tive orators. 1t was also observed that
there was quite a stir at the military camp
close by and that the soldiers we're in in
slant readiness to be called upon, but they
were not needed. The civil officers, after
some trouble, succeeded IN preventing the
angry foreigners from crossing the bridge.
Many of them disbanded, but about
eighty formed in line and marched
straight over toward the camp and 1t
looked at first as If they intended to clean
out the boys in blue. They changed their
intention, if they had any, on noting the
determined attitude of the guards. and
marched around the east side of the bar
racks on their way back to No. A, as was
supposed. But they did not return.
They went around back of the barracks.
up the railroad and across the bridge,
preparing to enter town by another route.
They were again headed off by the Off
GERS and we're this time prevailed upon to
disband and separate.
No M was able to find out what the
object Of the demonstration was. 1t was
probably only to show their strength and
perhaps to try and induce the men to quit
work. 1t is claimed the crowd was well
armed, bat it is doubtful if a dozen
weapons could have been found in the
party. They seemed peaceable enough,
but they might have been dangerous had
they been allowed to have their own way
and have got filled up with whisky. All
the saloons were ordered closed for the
remainder of the afternoon and evening,
and a large number of special officers
were deputized to patrol the streets. The
mines were also well guarded in anticipa-
ton of any attempt to burn company
property. No disturbance whatever &C.
CURED and everything was as peaceful as
usual. 1t was noted that the Cinnamon
laid very low and that none of them went
to work next day. Affairs looked too
much to them as they did at the Chinese
riot five years ago, but John has no occa-
casion whatever for fear.
Very few men went to work on Tuesday
and a good many foreigners left town.
On Wednesday there was a good force of
men at all the mines. Friday morning
all the mines except No. s started up with
full forces Of men and the trouble may be
said to be settled for the present. Fins,
Austrians and Hungarians are leaving
town in large numbers and there was
such a crowd to leave on the tram last
night that they could not all be accommo-
dated. The strike has been a hard blow
to Rock Springs-taking at least $50. 600
out OF the town, but it is over and six
months of steady work will make up the
loss.