The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1892-02-06
WOrkingmen TriumDhant.

| L u0 ISolo ldiocu dSdlLoI COHIIdCCOls
on the spur line of the Montana Central
railroad connecting that road with the
Mountain View mine at Butte, culmi-
mated Sunday in labor demonstration
unequaled in the history of the state.
The trouble grew out of the position
taken by the contractors, who refused to
pay laborers more than 50 per day, while
the rate established and heretofore main
tanned by the Butte Labor union is s.
per day. To defeat the union, laborers
were imported from Minnesota, who
were willing to accept the terms of the
contractors and ignored the expostula-
tions of representatives of the union ap-
pointed to confer with them. It was
this situation of affairs that provoked
the demonstration Of last Sunday, which
resulted in an unqualified victory for
the union, and which is thus graphically
described by the Butte correspondent of
the Helena independents:
The army of men gathered at the rem
devious in small parties They had not
weapon among them-not weapon
that was visible, at any rate. Some had
dinner buckets, some had pipes, some
had canes, but there was not gun to be
seen. 1t was good natured-crowd. All
were laughing and joking and seemed to
regard the expedition rather as Sun
day afternoon picnic than as an excur-
sion which might end in bloody battle
and death to some. just after the court
house clock struck two the crowd began
to move. An effort was made to get
them started six abreast, but as there
was only a footpath through the snow
this idea was abandoned. By ones and
twos they climbed over the hill, along
the slope and came down like swarm
of bees on the first of the railroad camps.
This was the camp of Anderson & Lund,
sub-contractors, and about thirty men
were there. 1t being Sunday they were
not at work, but were all inside the
long, low board shanty. There was
knock at the door and it opened. A
committee of workingmen went inside.
"Roll up your blankets and come
along" was the order. Those inside
could see pretty big gang outside and
they OWNED what was going on. All
but one obeyed the order. "Ill be id
if I STIR" said this one. ''You won't, he;
come out here" The insubordinate
member of the gang was siezed by the
shoulder and taken out the door. "Do
you see these hills?" The finger of the
speaker pointed to the hills, which were
black with men. II guess I'll co. said
the lnsubordinate, and he proceeded to
pack up his goods and chattels. The
"scabs," as they were called, foreman
and all, were placed in front of the army
and told to lead the way to the other
camps. The army filed in behind.
There was now march of three miles
over the hills and through the gulches
to the other camps, which are situated
in Yankee Doodle gulch, two miles
northeast of Meaderville. One was
Quigley's camp and the other Lazee's
camp. Lazee's camp was entered first. |
Lazee declared he wouldn't surrender.
He was told that no violence would he
offered, and that if he desired he and
his wife would be sent to town in a car
riage and given a good room at a hotel
he finally consented and all the rest
submitted without opposition Tboro
were about fifty in this camp. Tn on;o.
,ey camp there was only small mum
oer' and here, too, only one man offered
any resistance. It was the cook He
nad a saw in his hand, and backing to
'he rear OF the shack he cried: an die
before III go with you., aHano h;m,
ar,eo '.,n' one or two hot heads outside.
Inc first man who mentions hanging
sea,n will be thrown over the trestle,''
declared one of the leaders, in stentorian
@ uones' The cook, after a little argu
.nen', laid down his saw and proceeded
70 's.p pack up his things. A double line
was formed, and as one bv ono tha camn- ,