The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-02
STOLE WASCO'S MEN.
steamer Boarded and Nom
Union Deckhands Kidnapped.
PURSUED INTO SMITHS COVE.
Union Takes Desperate Means to Drive
scabs" From the Boat-Carse
of the Trouble.

The refusal of Captain Samuel Hoyt to
uischarge his non-union deckhands on the
steamer Nasco led to a desperate move
hiehI on the part of some members of the
union TO kidnap them from on board the
boat last night.
ABOUT $50 O'Clock. while most of the
crew were at supper, about twenty-five or
thlrty men suddenly boarded the boat
from forward and aft, and. catching two
% the non-union men, whose names are
Murray and Brunn, carried them bodily
ana placed them in a ships boat, which
was pulled up alongside, manned
oy nve men, who then rowed
away as fast as they could.
The other deck hand hid and thus saved
himself from being taken also Captain
Hoyt was not on board at the time and
Captain wilson, the mate, was standing
forward on the deck. When the men went
ABOARD ne realized what their intentions
were, but had no weapon to prevent them
nom carrying out their object. He ran UP
10 MS room to get his revolver, but when
ne returned 1t was too late. Captain Hoyt
had come aboard in the meantime, flourish
ing wicked-looking gun that scared all
the intruders OFF, but he was not in time to
overhaul the men in the rowboat.
The police department was telephoned
10 ana IN few minutes the patrol wagon
arrived with Chief Rogers. Lieutenant
sullivan and Detectives Phillips and Cave
After few minutes consultation it was
decided TO give chase with the steamer,
but there were only forty pounds OF steam
up and 1t took some time to get under
Roadway. The rowboat was in plain sight
u hon he 4
but before boat could be lowered and the
officers sent out the fugitives had landed
and all took to the woods. The officers
brought the boat back with them and it is
now on board the Wasco 1t bears no
name, but 1t is very large and evidently
belongs on some vessel.
After the steamer returned. knots of
men could be seen all around the wharf
holding whispered conferences, though
none of them would admit having any
knowledge of who did the kidnapping
Dave Russell, the secretary of the union,
ana several other members were trying TO
prevail on Mate Wilson to leave the boat
also, and the probability is that he will
conclude to quit today as he does not feel
disposed to incur the enmity of the union.
He tried to reason with them, but they
preached by two or three of the men when
they were looking for the deck-hands, and
evidently mistaking him for one of the
men they were after they made a move as
if to seize him, but he grabbed a hammer
and, raising it above his head, threatened
to brain the first one to lay hands on him.
The argument was conclusive and they let
him alone. Captain Hoyt made the fol-
lou faAA
trouble:
During the fine weather here the past two
weeks the boat was carrying but very little
fire. ght and there was nothing for the deck hands
to do insisted on their cleaning ship between
landings, but they would not do it. Another
thing is the fact that it is dull times and deck
hands wages had 10 be cut down to correspond
with the wages of the other men on the
boat. 1t was a question OF doing this
or tying up the boat and throwing all hands
idle. discharged the union men and secured
men in p ace of them who suited me very vel
and intend TO employ whom choose. know
the men who were in the boat and many of
thoss who forcibiy seized the two men and
placed them III the boat, and intend to make it
hot for them.
Dave Russell, the secretary of the union,
said:
do not care to talk yet, but / will say that
THIS WAoie eHalr Is me result OF captain Hoyts
desire to cut down the WAGES of deckhands
While he was captain of the Wasco for her for
mer owners he never grumbIed at wages no mat
ter how high they were. But now that ne is run
ming the boat for himself, il is different OF
course, If We allow him to cut down wages the
result will be that other boats may soon try TO
DO the same. The Dlea that the men refused to
clean ship is, only dodge The deck hands on
the Wasco have been working hard The boat
has been carrying large lot o. potatoes and
other freight. which has given the men all they
could do 10 handle 1t.