Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-07-10
LABOR In REVOLT.
Riotous Proceedings of West
Superior, Wis, Strikers.
MEN AT WORK FORCED TO QUIT.

a Contractor Who Resisted Mobbed I'm
til He Brings Up His Artillery-One
of the strikers Shot, and Several Skin
mishes with the folice-A Fusillade
OF Stones-Great Excitement in the
Town and the Citizens Getting Ready
to Take a Hand.
WEST SUPERIOR, Wis, July 10.-Before
o'clock yesterday morning fully ESQ men
had congregated north of Third street,
near Ogden avenue, preceded by banner
bearing the inscription: "All we want is
81 day for our labor" The crowd pro-
ceeded to the lower docks, where the men
were shoveling sand. The strikers
swooped down upon these men, about ten
In number, and easily forced them to quit.
Much cheering followed, and the manifest
ations of enthusiasm showed conclusiyely
that the condition of the strike begun
Tuesday was still very lively. The strik-
ers then proceeded up Banks avenue, and
soon appeared ON Twelfth street, where
Contractor Luton had force men at
work loading dump cars
The Attack on Contractor Luton.
The mob rushed in on the men, yelling
wildly and snatching the shovels from the
hands of the workers. Several of the lat
ter fled precipitately, and were pursued by
the strikers. keep back" cried Contrac-
tor Luton. a am paying 81 day" but
his words were not needed. The strikers,
with yells of triumph, continued to pursue
the workmen. Contractor Luton again
called on the men TO stand back, and raised
a shovel which he had in his hand in q
threatening manner. A young striker
named Nels Peterson essayed to catch hold
of the shovel, and Mr. Luton let drive at
him. The fellow lodged the shovel, which
was evidently aimed at his head, but his
left arm, which was thrown up, caught
the blow, which cut deep triangular
cash, from which the blood flowed freely.
Chased by u wild Mob.
Enraged beyond measure by his effect
i've resistance, the mob attempted to close
on Mr. Luton, and blows from clubs were
freely showered upon him. He quickly
discovered that discretion was the better
part of valor, and, turning, ran down
Tower avenue to SimoDs' hardware store.
The mob followed, beating him with clubs
rs he ran. Upon getting into the store
Mr.. Luton secured two revolvers and
again made his appearance with the ex-
pressed determination of being bluffed no
further. The mob retired at this point
Great excitement prevailed in the neigh
borhood until the strikers moved over
Twelfth street to Ogden avenue and dis
appeared.
Further Raids on Workmen.
The strikers were thoroughly aroused by
this time, and apparently ready for any act
OF violence, but, as it afterward appeared,
there were no weapons in the crowd except
clubs. Nearly every man carried good
sized cudgel. Several small gangs of men
in the neighborhood were at work on foun-
dations to buildings. All these were forced
to quit till the new buildings of Frank
Watkins, on John avenue, were reached
The strikers here collided with two police
men, one of whom, Officer Whereof, told
the men to move on. The men at first re-
fused TO move, but finally did so when
Whereof displayed revolver.
Didn't Garry Out the Programme.
1t wss then decided to pay a visit to the
American steel barge plant and carry the
works By storm. Just as they reached the
terminal track they were confronted by
Contractor J. G. Anderson, who told the
men to stand back and not attempt to
cross the rails. They halted for an in
slant, and Mr.. Anderson was joined by
three policemen. In the afternoon the
strikers had large crowd on Third
street and John avenue. From there they
started toward the barge works, and after
halt ut the corner of Third and Ham,
mond, they proceeded to force an entrance
into the barge grounds. Hero they were
met by the three policemen and Contract
or Anderson, who told them to keep off
The Revolver Comes Into Play.
On pressed the crowd, regardless of the
warning, and great shouting, clubbing
and scuffiing ensued. During the struggle
Mr.. Anderson fired at one of the leaders,
and the bullet hit Andsrs Sivertson be-
hind the left temple. After the shot the
crowd fell back little and began to hurl
stones, pieces of plank and whatever mis-
siles were within reach at Anderson.
Mayor Pattson arrived with the police
and Anderson was placed under arrest.
Great excitement prevails, and the citizens
will take hand in the next fracas if one
is had.