Abilene weekly reflector., 1897-08-12
A TOWN IN FEAR.
Citizens of Coffeen, ILL.,, Sleeping on
Their Arms.
CRISIS APPROACHING IN The STRIKE.
Suspension Of Mining Practically Complete
In the wheeling District-The Univer-
sal Peace Union Offers it, Services
to Arbitrate the Strike.

COFFEEN, ILL.,, Aug. lL-1esoeruay
was day Of feverish excitement in
Cofften. There were fears Of an early
attack by Bradley and his army. The
guard on the main road was strength
ened, but the strikers failed to appear
during the morning. While the guards
were awaiting the expected approach
of the strikers the miners went to the
shaft in twos and fours. but they re-
fused to go below until long after fears
of the strikers approach had been dis
sipated. Between midnight and
morning 1850 men arrived in camp, and
in the afternoon 46 more came
in. The new accessions came in
parties of from ten to 25. Five
hundred men are now in camp, and
100 are on the way from towns to the
south. The sheriff fears an attack
and the citizens are practically sleep
ing on their arms. Sheriff Randle at
ten o'clock last night ordered out l5O
armed men to reinforce the guard then
protecting the town from invasion.
He also telegraphed to Nokomis for so
more men. Adsices, received by the
sheriff from TIilisboro state that Brad
ley is on his way to camp and that
fully 200 strikers are coming from Au-
burn, Grard and other mining towns
to the north.
CRISIS FAST APPROACHING.
PITTSBURGH, Pa, Aug lL-A crisis
Is fast approaching in the miners
movement against the New York Il
Cleveland Gas Coal Co. The next few
days should determine whether or not
the strikers object will be attained.
The only march OF the day was made
by the l5O men at Camp Determination,
who left camp shortly after seven
o'clock and marched close to the Oak
Hill tipples, and spent two hours in
the vicinity of the miners homes. The
Acknowledgements leave the conditions
much the same as they were, except
that the company claims to have made
a further break in the strikers ranks
at Turtle creek and Sandy creek. The
miners who have been working regular
ly at Oak Hill mines were paid yesterday
afternoon. Those who Joined the
strike did not get their cash, the COM
pany Withholding it, as under the con-
tract the men forfeited their wages by
striking.
BOGas' RUN MEN OUT.
WHEELING, w. Va. Aug. 11.-Wheel-
ing was the scene Of peaceful inva-
sion from Ohio early yesterday morn
ing. A small army Of Ohio side strik-
ing miners, from Wheeling Run, on
the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling rail-
road, numbering l27 men, marched
through the city to the Boggs' Run
mines. The Boggs' Run men got wind
Of the invasion, and only six or eight
arrived to go to work. These were
taken in hand by the visitors and per-
suaded TO sign paper to stay out
Later in the day, the other Boggs Run
men were seen and agreed to strike
This makes the suspension practically
complete in the Wheeling district.
The strikers proceeded uptown to the
Belmont and Riverside mill mines and
made demonstration there. A COM
mittee of the strikers and one repre-
senting the mill miners met and twas
decided that the question of these men
Joining the strike would be determined
by President Ratchford. II this course
is pursued it will throw thousands out
of work. The Wegee miners have de-
cided to join the strike this evening.
This and the Hetherington mines sup
ply steamboats, with fuel. A scarcity
for the boats is now at hand.
TO ARBITRATE THE STRIKE.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 1.-THE Uni
versal Peace union yesterday offered
its services as arbitrator in the coal
strike. The letter of President Love
and committee of the peace union,
sent representatives Of the operators
and miners, says in part 1--WE sin
cerely offer our services as impartial
fellow-citizens, and freely grant you
the use of our historic rooms in lnde-
pendence hall for any commission you
may appoint, having in view a Settle
ment that will be fair, equitable and
satisfactory, and thus avoid present
animosities that may involve loss OF
life, treasure and mutual good will"