Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-02-16
Rock Island Makes a Dash
on Edton.
WANTED wooDMEN PROPERTY
Hastily Planned Expedition
Repulsed by Writ.
And the Obstructionists Have
Until March 1 to Appeal.

Rock Island battled for the possess
sion of the head Office of the Modern
Wood men in the town of Fulton in
the still. cold houre Of early morn
ing today, bat was repulsed.
The expedition which made the
dash for that which has been formally
bestowed upon the city at two differ.
enthead campEeetipgs aud confirmed
two courts, but which is withheld
by the dog-in-the-manger tactics
of Fultonites, sustained by q process
of law that should not be possible
within the statutes Of a we'll gov
erned commonwealth, was hastily
planned, but was expected. never
theless.
A Fulton newspaper maa going
home about q. m. saw the light in
the Office of the order, and becoming
suspicious, gave the alarm. How
much further forewarning the deni-
zeus had is not known, but at all
events an order had been prepared in
Morrison for the necessary restraiaing
writ. pending an appeal to the SUI
preme court, and the attorney having
II was telegraphed for and arrived in
Fulton at o'clock this morning, and
the courts order became operative in
time to prevent Rock Island carry
ing off the office.
Departure OF tho Train.
The trail 4 left Rock Island at 1890,
the party consisting # about sixty
citizens. many OF them being mem
bers of the order. Tbs walk leading
from the depot to the Woodmen
headquarters was lined with men
when the train arrived. They were
evidently cognizant of the mission
of the visitors. for they Immediately
had the waterworks whistle blow
ing, and the volunteer fire depart
ment was on hand for the purpose OF
dousing anyone who might enter the
building. The hose department
could not be set to work, however,
until after half car load of the r. c.
ords we're removed from tia Wood.
men headquarters to the train, which
was stationed just block south.
1t seemed rs If the whole town was
aroused by the whistle, for hardly q
half hour had elapsed before sew
eral hundred men, women and BOYS
were gathered about threatening vio-
lence If the visitors did not desist in
their work. There were several
clashes between the Rock Island and
Fulton people, but happily the
cooler heads succeeded in preventing
serious trouble, which seemed i'm
minent at frequent intervals. Gar
ret O'Connor. who preserves the
peace OF Fulton by night, took an
active part in the proceedings, al.
lowing his pre- JUDGE to get the best
OF him, and using his billy on a cou-
pie OF the Rock Islanders when there
was not the slightest occasion for it,
while he refused to listen to the re-
quest OF the strangers. w. J. Egan,
Of this city, was assaulted BY the
Fultonites while leaving the building
with an armful Of books, which were
taken away from him. He attem pied
to regain pJs. ession of them, when
the officer interfered and placed him
under arrest. He was put in the
calaboose. and kept there until 10
O'Clock this morning. the authorize!
refusing to liberate him temporarily
even when any amount desired wa.
preferred as security by members of
he Rock Island delegation. many
OF whom were naturally very much
wrought up over the shabby treat
ment being accorded them, in tn,
face OF the lawlessness of the Fulton
crowd. One of the Fulto lites brand
ished a revolver and threatened t
use it if affairs we're not SO shaped
as to satisfy him and his fellows
DR.. George Babcock was STRUCK
across the face by the policeman
billy, and several other members OF
the party were handled rather
roughly.
| Turned on the Water.
A hose cart was stationed at tn,
south and west entrances of tn.
building, into which the water wa
turned. The Rock Island men pu'
up with this for awhile. but tbev al
Eventually submitted. Two stream,
OF water we're kept going on the en-
frances until the arrival of q writ O
continuance Of the injunction issued
by Judge Crabtree. OF the appellate
court, at Morrison. The writ wa.
issued at the solicitation o; Ramsay
& McCalvin, of Morrison, who were
teiephoned for after the arrival o.
the Rock Island party. The writ
was conveyed to Fulton BY horse and
buggy by Mr.. McCalvin aud served
on the head officers Of the Modern
Woodmen by the deputy sheriff
The writ continues the Injunction
restraining the removal of the Offices
from Fulton until March 1, till which
date the opposition is given to Tile
bonds for an appeal to the supreme
court.
Head Clerk HAYES informed the
people Assem- bled of the issuance OF
the writ, and said that, therefore, nc
more records or furniture would be
removed from the Offices, which had
been turned inside ont, so to speak, as
a result of the invasion of the Rock