The Colored citizen., 1894-10-01
SETTLED A STRIKE.

grew 20 an alarming extent, They would
meet In the town hall every Saturday
night, and 1t was stated at one time that
every man and woman employed In the
mills at Durcarville had been initiated
and was full hedged member.
Everything, however, moved along
peaceably until one day the weave hands
In the Eldora cotton mill read a notice
posted on the wall to the effect that, be-
ginning on the first of the next month,
the company would be compelled to reduce
the price of weaving from 2s to s5 cents
per bolt"
The next morning there appeared on the
sidewalks and on the walls of many houses
some mysterious chalk marks
The same night, about 8 o'clock, great
stream Of people could be seen going to-
ward the city hall, and then the uninitist-
ed began to speak of the chalk marks and
nod their heads knowingly.
The Knights kept their own counsel, and
1t was absolutely impossible to obtain any
information as to their intentions, but the
indications appeared to point to big
strike.
All the next morning little knots Of
workmen about the Eldora mill could be
seen evidently discussing the situation.
Before 10 o'clock IL was announced that
q committee Of Knights, composed Of
franklin Watson, the Eldora superintend-
ent, who, strange to say, was leading
spirit among the Knights, and two work
men, would wait upon Julian Carson, vice
president, and also president of the biggest
frh fur In bon 70, of
the proposed reduction.
Mr.. Carson was fair man and disposed
to settle the matter to the satisfaction of
all parties concerned, but on second
thought he referred 1t all to General Man.
ager Cookshaw.
Superintendent Watson, as speaker for
the committee, told the general manager
that should the proposed reduction be
made a strike Of the Eldora employees
would follow and advised against 1t.
"I'll run this mill according to my own
IDEAS" Cookshaw said, land II at any
time our people become dissatisfied and
want to quit they can do 90. There are
thousands of idle workmen who would be
only too glad to I'LL their places.
A strike was inaugurated.
General Manager Cookshaw became OBJ
stinate and declared that he would sweep
the knights of Labor from the face Of the
earth.
But his efforts 10 fill the places of the
strikers were absolutely fruitless.
The fight in few days began to wax
exceedingly warm, and report that all
the employees of the other mills would be
called out in sympathy created no little
excitement.
The report was true, for in less than six
hours from the time 1t had gained cur
renoy not a wheel of machinery In Dur
carville was turning.
Everythi~e >a- -ts,d up tighter than
Sszm. Business was completely paralyzed,
clogged.
In few days there would be suffering
and starving among the people, for they
were all Of the poor class, and their saw
ings did not amount to great deal.
1t would never do. The strike must be
settled.
The people Of Du,carville were of very
religious temperament
There was great p.qacher In Duncan.
Vile Of the name of Lohanson-the Rev.
George Lomanson-and @ was a power
too. -
Brother Lomanss1gn ~ SWTuiI WSui preach twice
leYfy eYsfJyNS Sdhday, bury all the dead, officiate
at every marriage, weep when Others wept
and laugh when they laughed. He would
visit the sick, comfort the dying, and wa,
] think, an ideal village pastor, although
he had full sway In Durcarville Of nearly
10, 900 population.
Brother Lomanson took hand in the
strike.
Sunday he preached from tho text, The
laborer is worthy Of his hire
The church was crowded, and after the
regular services the preacher announced
that the next morning at 10 O'Clock there
would be q mass meeting Of the people Of
Durcarville at the public square, and he
wanted everybody to be on hand.
1t is needless to say that the entire pop
ulation turned out, because the strike was
then assuming serious proportions.
An improvised stand had been arranged
for the speakers, and just minute or two
before 10 o'clock Miss Birdie Edwardley
q lovely little blond of II, who was her
self one Of the strikers, employed In the
Eldora mill, was seen pushing her way
through the crowd that surrounded the
speakers stand. Reaching the steps, abe
Qulckly dSCenutu anu III q mOIneub 6bOOQ
facing the vast multitude. Before any
one could realize what 1t all meant her
voice was heard In sweetest song:
All hail the power Of Jesus name;
Let angels PROSTATE fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown him Lord Of all.
The great throng of strikers joined in
the singing, and the very hills and valleys
about Durcarville reverberated and echoed
until the sun itself seemed to stop and
look curiously upon the strange scene.
Brother Lomanson in the meantime was
walking back and forth on the platform,
singing with his soul aflre.
General Manager Cookshaw, who was
ON the outskirts Of the crowd, could stand
the scene no longer.
He gave q signal to Brother Lomanson,
and instantly the singing ceased.
Then General Manager Cookshaw made
q statement from the platform. In anoth-
or hour every factory In Durcarville was
running In full blast
The strike had ended, and all were
happy,
just one year to the very day after these
stirring scenes on the public square all the
people of Durcarville turned out to witness
the most important wedding in the history