The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1895-05-17
been ignominious to retreat, 50 i persc.

yeceO. Sf2$E
When reached the head Of the stairs
hail aud called, upon Ill who wished to
/ take. part In the proceedings to enter.
To this invitation only one or two besides
myself responded. Then tbs heavy DOOR
was suddenly closed and locked. Il found
myself in Il very large apartment, extend
ing the entire length OF the building. 1t
was almost as full Of men as it would
hold, except the dais or raised floor oc-
cuped by the chairman, which was situ-
ated at one end Of the hall. The chair
man was using his gavel energetically
to command attention as entered, in Or
der to take the sense Of the meeting In
regard to a resolution sympathizing with
the Law and Order party Of San Fran
saa o neea %be refo"o Wss
declared passed by viva yoce votes, but
SOME daring person ventured to question
the accuracy: Of the COUNT! r., @r
IF the gentleman tlH any objections
to make let linn speak up said the pre-
siding officer. = .:.. -.
NO one has any objections to make"
socmone declared. Proceed to business,
Mr. President
But it appeared that somebody :. did
have objections. There arose a murmur,
the sound of voices in argument or dis.
pute, in subdued tone, and Immediately
thereafter 4 man was lifted above his
fellows. to all appearance unwillingly
should have mentioned that all were
standing except the chairman, there be-
ing no seats i'll the hall. The man now
brought into prominence was near the
wall ON the side OF the entrance. The
wall was white, newly painted, and his
figure was for a moment very distinct
as he was thus elevated. l could see
at a glance that he was a teamster. He
had no facility in expressing himself,
and when called upon by the chairman
as to be almost unable to speak. AT
length, just as all were losing patience,
he said: Mr.. President, I am no hand
at spceehifying. L never made speech
in my life. But there is something
wrong here. | don't think the meeting
ought to be bulldozed. All l have got
to say is this: If there are any boys in
m'ttee let them signify the same by say.
ing ayer
Thereupon hundred lusty voices
to raise the roof. The dif1ident and dumb
orator had at least sounded the keynote
to the evident discontinue of his oppo-
nents. Nothing remained but to count
the vote. Hands were raised agreeably
to the call Of the chairman, but the con
fusion was SO great it was impossible to
count them. The president thereupon
called for a division of the house, the
Law and Order party to occupy the In
terror of the hail. facing the entrance
door, their opponents opposite to them.
ihen ensued the separation Of the wolves
from the lambs. The hall was so crowd
ca that only q narrow lane was left be-
than two men to walk abreast Instant
F IT. became clear that the law and order
people were principally gamblers, their
aNversarles teamSters and workingmen
Ihe former We're attired in fine linen and
broadcloth; the latter in clean home.
made working costume. When. 1 found
myself thus suddenly called up to side
fully realized the uncertain condition of
my mind upon the subject. 1 sympa.
thized fully with the vigilance nponlc
showing well the extraordinart rtrDvucn.
ton they had received, the character of
tnelr opponents. and the scandalous inef-
1clency Of the law, or, rather, of the nd.
n m of the law. The lawgivers,
rXpresslbly corrupt. On the other hand
dreaded extremely the dangerous prcce,
gent OF a complete subversion Of the
law: Influenced by these fears 7 fonnd
myself upon the side of the law and
order party, but no sooner discovered
me sort OF company / was in than | re.
Sretted that decision. However, it was
too late to change. Events hurried with
startling rapidity to a climax.
Of course. with the parties ST. nearly
equal it became. necessary to make a
count The chairman selected tofnri.
Gus gambler on the part of the Law and
Order men, and Il well-known teamstpr
called Big Steve" in behalf of the. VIII
Ian Before they had proceeded hall
me length OF the hall dispute arose be-
tween them concerning the count Thc
lie passed and i'll a minute thew ciinchn ~
\ moment later a dozen men Were
cllnched:: struggling in the narrow lane be>
tween the two parties. Then ensued a
sight shall never forget. It seemed y.
though every man drew his knife or pistol
on the instant, so inStantaneously did thu
weapons flash in the bright gaslight.
think none of the transfers had nistols
and fortunately the gamblers only usp,i
the butt end of their heavy reyolyers
The Vigilantes, realizing that they were
so unequally armed, made a dash for thr
door. 1t resisted for few seconds. then
most fortunately gave way, precipitatine
me demoralized transfers heller SHELTER
ing them Justify.
Meanwhile, at the first sign of con,
fiict: l made for the dais occupied by tho
chairman; He took no notice of me ais
| reached it, being too much occupied in
calling, or trying to call, the meeting to
order At length he sank back into hi,
chair, looking very pale, but 1 thought not
altogether disconnected. 1t was surpris:
ing to see bow promptly the hall w ~;
cleared after the door gave way. W.
could distinctly hear the thud, thud Of
falling bodies as they were precipitate0
down the stairs. Presently the gamble,
who had made the count reappeared, way.
ing his pistol and shouting: You. Mr.,
President, take the sense of this meet,