The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-11-16
AN OUTRAGE ON THE MINERS
False Report Ofa Settlement That Caused
Great Sorrow Among the Men.
Certain Brazil Saloon Keepers Ply the Elated
Men with Free Beer, Inducing Them tOa
Reckless Expenditure Of Their Money.
Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
BRAZIL. Ind, Nov. l5.-From some source
n report was circulated here Thursday
evening that the operators had concluded
to grant the miners the advance asked.
This manifesto from the operators. as it
was generally supposed to be au-
thentic. SO elated the miners that
they gathered in small knots on the
streets and exhibited almost every con-
celvable sign of delight. At one or two of
the saloons kegs of beer were opened by
the propIietors and given gratuitously
to the miners. who had gathered
there to ratify the good tidings.
Doubtless many who had hereto
fore scantily lived to save their
means to secure food. should the strike con-
tinue long. bought freely of many luxuries.
thinking that prosperity, plenty of work
and good pay was matter of day or so.
Your reporter ferreted out the matter,
and found that the rumor was not true.
but just how it was started could not be dis
covered. Many think it was false report
circulated by few who were desirous of
getting what little cash the miners had
up to this time the report has not been con-
frmed by any reliable source. Ehrlich 81
Co. say they have made arrangements with
their men to begin work tomorrow. They
will pay the advance until the strike is
settled. then. of course. if the block miners
return to work at the old scale. their prIce
VIII be reduced accordingly. This COM
pany is operating several lbituminous mines.
and if they work ut full capacity, as they
anticipate doing, the coal famine Will he a
thing of the past. The Central Iron
and Steel Company here, which has
been closed down the past week for the
want of coal. announces that it has ar
ranged for sufficient coal to run the plant,
the same to be shipped from Ohio.
This will be contrary TO the dictatiOn of
the miners. as it is reported that the Off
GERS of the United Mine-workers have de-
clared that if coal be shipped into Indiana
from any other State tho miners would be
called out in the district from which the
coal was mined.
ness men here, and financial difficulty in
every village in the county. il is feared.
will be an every day occurrence If the
strike cOntipue. Many firms especially in
the smaller towns, are supported wholly by
the miners trade The effect of the closing
of the rolling-mills is felt here in all chan
nels of business. 1t threw several hundred
employees ont of positions. The machine
shops and several other manufacturing
establishments, that employ from two TO
five hundred wOrkmep are on the verge of
closing. but If fuel be permitted to he
shipped from other States probably
these establishments will remain
In operation. In conversation with
several of the leading miners in this vicn-
ify it was learned that n number of the
most intelligent miners in the district had
expressed a willingness to resume work at
the old tigure in preference TO laying idle
much longer. Said one:
Il have family to keep, and have moth
ing except what l earn with the pick.
have lived in this county for fifteen years.
and know something about what strike
means"
He also said that when the strike was de-
clared two years ago he hal n nice
home. During that strike he
said he was compelled to barter his
property for food. Now he is forced 10 live
in q rented house. Similar stories of how
they had lost goods and homes on account
Of strikes were voluntarily told by numer-
ous other miners. OF course, some are
willing to stay ont all winter If their de-
mands be not granted. let como what may
An operator, in an interview, said that it
would be question soon whether they
could give the miners steady employment,
oven if they should decide to go to work
ae their contracts would be annulled and
other coal companies in more cOngenial
fields would reap the harvest. The present
mining trouble is elicting intense interest
all over the State. The block and bitumin-
ous coal mined here is eqnal, if not su-
perior. TO any that can be- secured in the
United States.