Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-30
A BRAVE OFFICER.
Policeman Cause Of Averting
Great Mob at Lynn.
Massachusetts Shoe City Has Had
Strike Among the Lasters.
Non Union Men From Lewiston Were Employ
ed-Matters Quite Exciting.

Lynn, Mass. July 29.-What came near
being a serious riot in this city, this
evening, was happily averted by the
coolness and bravery of Police Officer
Rufus Green, who succeeded, with
much difficulty in rescuing four non
union lasters employed in the factory
Of the Thomas G. Plat Shoe Co, from
an angry gathering of perhaps 800 per
sons. placing the men safe in their
boaring house. which is said to be man
aged by the Plant Company at 80 Ire
son street
Al .. when the people We're leaving
the factories crowd assembled on
Rroad and Washington streets in the
vicinity of the Plant factory to see the
non union lasters come out of the
building and the non-union men made
dash out the main entrance on Wash
ington street They were recognized
and it is said one of the men placed
his hand on his hip as if in the act of
drawing revolver At this the by
ISLANDERS became Infatuated and made
an attempt to crowd around the men.
started up Spring street
one OF the non union men, ii is said
was struck by a man in the crowd,
alter which the others were hustled
about and somewhat roughly handled
Coming out on Exchange street near
the central railway station. the nom
union men were in the centre of the
crowd. members of which called out
Scab. scab, several times Cheers
ana yeils could be heard above the din.
After crossing the railroad tracks. the
men turned up Union street, toward
the east. taking the sidewalk on the
south side While passing the Fabens
block, two oftheir number Were knocked
down, it is thought by the surging of
the crowd. that by this time amounted
10 over 1000 persons. They managed
10 regain their feet. Policeman Green
was at supper he heard the tumult
ana FASTENED to the unfortunate mems
assistance
He had all he could do to keen the crowd
Daeh- ne hon-unlon men tried to take
refuge i'll a store. but We're not permitted
70 30 go by the crowd which hustled
mem mem along cheering and yelling despite
the protests of the good tured poIice
man. who maintained commemorate cool
ness under very trying circumstances.
When near the East Baptist church. so
T III h was me surge of the angry gather
lIs mat some non-union men fell over
against the wall. but were saved from
harm by officer Green Soon after 1his
me men crossed the street toward then
boarding place on Ireson street where
the police officer finally lodged Them in
safety. The crowd was much chagriued
AT losing sight of the men ana surped
toward the door of the building Police
man Green commanded them in the
name of the commonwealth to disperse
Al TINS. good humor was restored and
some one asked the officer TO make a
speech. which he laughingly declined.
ihen the crowd gave three lusty cheers
Tor Police Officer Rufus Green and i'm
medlately dispersed quietly.
The non-union men are said to hail
from Auburn and Lewiston Me, and
were brought to Lynn. it is claimed 10
take the place of the locked out lasters
by agents of the company 1t was re-
ported tonight. that the men had all they
wanted of Lynn and would return to their
homes at once. Today. the I.asters'
Union succeeded in getting four of the
non-union men nj work in the factory to
resign and their fares We're paid to their
homes. The Lasters' Union officers are |
against the non-union laSters They ex-
pect to win the fight with the Plant Co |
by peaceful methods. and state that only |
such will be pursued
A meeting of the discharged lasters and |
Mckay machine operatives of the Plant |
TO. was held in the lasters' hall this |
afternoon. 1t was found that the total |
number discharged by the company. Sat
lrday. was %. instead of 65 The men
'oted to stand firm against the company.