Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-09-25
SETTLED A STRIKE.

every man ana woman employed IN Une
mills at Durcarville had been initiated
and was full 1edged member.
Everything, however, moved along
peaceapIy unGl one day the weave hands
in the Eldora cotton mill read a notice
roH+ed IN the wall to the effect that. bo.
ginning on the first of the next month,
the company would be compelled to reduce
the price of weaving from 20 to 30 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 O'Clock, great
stream of people could be seen going to-
ward the city hall, and then the uninitiat-
ed began to speak of the chalk marks and
nod their heads knowingly.
The Knights kept their own counsel, and
it was absolutely impossible to obtain any
information rs to their intentions, but the
indications appeared to point to a big
strike
All the next morning little knots Of
TVorkmen about the Eldora mill could be
seen evidently discussing the situation.
Before 10 O'Clock it was announced that
@ 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
t1igg-J factory in town, to protest against
the proposed reduction.
Mr.. Carson was fair man and disposed
to settle the matter to the satisfaction Of
all parties concerned, but on sesond
thought he referred it all to General Man
ager Cookshaw.
Superintendent Watson, as speaker for
the committee told the general manager
that should the proposed reduction be
made strike of the Eldora employees
would follow and advised against it.
''I'll run this mill according to my own
IDEAS" Cookshaw said, land If at any
time our people become dissatisfied and
want to quit they can do SO. There are
thousands Of idle workmen who would DO
only too glad to fill their places"
A strike was inaugurated.
General Manager Cookshaw became OBJ
stinate and declared that he would sweep
earth.
DuO lib CllOI 70 W LII Vic pllfCSo VI U1lO
strikers were absolutely fruitless.
The fight in q few days began to wax
exceedingly warm, and q 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 it had gained cur
rency not wheel of machinery in Dur
carville wss turning.
Everything was tied up tighter than q
drum. 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 Durcarville were Of very
religious temperament
There Yves n great preacher in Duncan
vile Of the name of Lomanson-the Rev.
George Lomanson-and he was q power
too.
Brother LomaDson would preach twice
every Sunday, bury all the dead, oflciate
at every marriage, weep when others wept
and laugh when they laughed. He would
visit the sick, comfort the dying, and was,
think, an ideal village pastor, although
he had full sway in Durcarville of nearly
10000 population.
Brother Lomanson took a hand in the
strike
Sunday he preached from the 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,
a 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, she
quickly assembled and in moment stood
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 a signal to Brother Lomanson,
and instantly the singing ceased.
Then General Manager Cookshaw made
a statement from the platform. In anoth-
er 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
Of the little city. Superintendent Watson
acted as best man, and Brother Lomanson
officiated as usual, and the bride, Miss
Birdie Edwardley, was the very picture of
loneliness.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cookshaw went on an ex-
tended bridal tour, and I've heard it said
that they are the happiest couple In North