Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-06-03

marley Win the crown VI nluoIS. WOiu
was. however, sent back to the Bridge
port offices of the Company that the
progress of the train had been arrested,
and a telegram was sent to Superin-
tendent Bruner, Of the Railroad
Company. This official in turn
with Sheriff Scott,
at st. Clairsville, asking that the
of the county at
once take steps to protect the property
of the Company and allow its trains to
run. A telegram describing the situa-
tion must also have been sent TO John
Mcbride, President OF the miners
organization, at Columbus, judging by
subsequent developments.
Along toward noon the train which
had been brought to halt was
RUN BACK TO BRIDGEPORT
to await the arrival OF the Sheriff, as the
miners steadfastly refused to allow the
coal to 60 on. The leaders OF the
miners kept the men we'll in hand, at
least two hundred being always at the
point where the train had been halted,
and a considerable number OF peo-
pie from the surrounding country
also began to gather to see and hear
what was going on. Soon after noon
Sheriff Scott arrived at Bridgeport and
was met by Deputy Sheriff Darby, OF
Belaire. He had conference with the
railroad people and about 1870 the long
railroad train was again started out, the
Sheriff and several deputies, as well as
Mr.. Wurtz, OF the c., L. d w. Com
pany, being on board. On arriving at
the scene of trouble the miners were
found thickly cougregated upon the
track and were not in the least disposed
to change their plans. The train stop
ped as before and Sheriff Scott got OIL
and interviewed the men, telling them
they were doing wrong, should allow
the train to proceed, etc. The men
listened to the Sheriff respectfully, but
declined 10 be convinced Of the error OF
their ways, and although r. Wurz
ad ded his voice to that Of Sheriff,
his arguments produced no more effect.
In the meantime two more freight
trains, leaving Bridgeport after the coal
train, were halted in the rear OF the
first string OF cars, and by and by the
ST. Clairsville accommodation, carrying
the mail and considerable number of
passengers, was added TO the rest,
making four trains
LINED UP IN A ROW.
The number of spectators increased as
the afternoon wore on, but for the most
part they kept back upon the pike, a
couple of hundred yards from the rail-
road track, from which poin; the track,
being In the cut, could not be seen.
Finding his arguments to be OF no
avail, aud having no adequate force 10
open the blockade, Sheriff Scott left the
scene of disorder and returned TO
Bridgeport to consult with Prosecuting
Attorney Weems and, If possible, to get
posse cOmitdtlS together. He arrived
at Bridgeport about three o'clock, and
finding it impossible to get together a
posse Of citizens either in Bridgeport
or Martins Ferry, he decided, after
talking the matter over with Attorney
Weems, to telegraph Governor McKin-
ley of the situation, and advising him
that the authorities were helpless and
powerless.
About half-past three Secretary Ed
ward Davis, of the Miners Union 1t the
Wheeling Creek mines, received tele-
gram from
NATIONAL PRESIDENT JOHN M'BRIDE,
which read substantially as follows
"CoLUMBUs, o., June2.
"EdUdrd Davis, Secretary:
~ understand miners have blockaded
the c., L. & w. road with cross ties. Call
a meeting and stop this, if you expect TO
win. JOHN MCBRIDE.
This telegram was dash OF cold wa
ter for the men. Eight or ten Of the
leaders got together up on the bank Of
the railroad cut and discussed the tele-
gram in all its bearings. Some OF them
could not believe it was genuine, but
the great majority had no doubt Of its
being official and authentic. While the
was going on, Mr.. Wurtz, OF
the c., l.. 81 W., came up and renewed
his plea to the leaders to allow the coal
to proceed. Among other things he
pointed out that the railroad was COM
mon carrier, and under the law was
COMPELLED TO HAUL THE COAL
offered it, He said there was very lit
tie money in ii for the Railroad Com
panY, which really did not desire the
business, but was compelled to take il.
He told the men the Railroad Company
had always treated them well in the
past, and il the coal was allowed to
proceed he was satisfied the Company
would not fail to further remember
them in the future. "As for the men
on the cars" said he, they are not to
blame. They are simply doing what
they are told"
yes" said miner, "they are slaves,
Just like we are"
"They are EN- ployeS Of the Company,
doing what they are told" retorted Mr..
Wurtz.
This discussion was carried on for
quite little time, but to no avail, and
Mr., Wurtz withdrew. The leaders Of
the miners continued their conference
for a time, and as a result, 1t was de-
ter mined to read the telegram TO the
men, and let them decide what they
would do in the premises. Loud calls
were accordingly made for the some
what scattered men to assemble in the
cut, aud they came quickly from the
pike, and from up and down the rail-
road track, to the number Of perhaps
two hundred and fifty, the others hav-
ing been sent on scattered missions by
the leaders, or had struggled off Of their
own accord. Secretary Davis took his
stand
on THE RAILROAD TRACK,
and with a hundred men close about
him, and the rest within easy hearing
distance on the banks Of the cut, be
read the telegram.
Several cries OF at amt true.
INC, no." and Who is it signed