The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-23


Wish to Work. But Are Afraid of the
Strikers
Columbus, Ohio, July 21.-President
Ratchford this afternoon received
telegram from Organizers Dilcher and
Weber, at Montgomery, w. Va, stat
ing that the miners at fifteen mines in
that district, at a mass meeting, had
decided to Join the strikers and would
quit work at once.
Peoria, ILL.,, July 21.-Fifty striking
miners at Pennington seized Bur-
lington freight train at IL O'Clock this
morning, demanding that it carry them
to Dunfermline, where they intended
to call out the 250 miners at work,
their wages having been increased
per cent. They refused to pay or get
off, and held the train till o'clock,
when the conductor cut off the engine
and ran to Canton, returning with the
sheriff and the states attorney. They
argued with the men, and the latter
finally abandoned the train, after hold
ing it five hours. The Peoria county
miners are threatening to march across
country to Dunfermline tomorrow to
force the men out. The managers OF
the mines say the men want to keep
at work and are preparing for trouble
Pittsburg, Pa, July 21.-Trouble, and
much of it, seems to be in store at the
Allison mines, three miles west OF
Canonsburg. The men want to go to
work. but are afraid. They fear
another invasion of the strikers, and
do not want to be targets for mob
that is liable at any moment to lose
control of itself. Tonight everything
was quiet about the mines and the
citizens of CanOnsburg were awaiting
the arrival of the invaders. 1t was the
intention of the strikers to begin their
march to CanOnsburg tonight, but
telegram from Bridgeville announces
that owing to the heavy rain OF this
evening it was decided to postpone the
tramp until tomorrow. The men are
fully determined to carry out their
threat of making the march. They eX-
pect to start with 600 men and be re-
infOrced with about the same number
from Bridgevile and Toms Run. The
men will start with several days ra-
tions, and expect to be in shape to
watch the offending miners for several
days. This morning a number Of the
men going to the Allison mine were
stopped by the committee OF strikers.
Many of them did not go to work. j.
H V. Cook said that the names of the
strikers would be procured and they
would all be arrested for intimidating
his employees.
Sheriff Vernon Clark, of Washington
county, is fully prepared for any army
of marching strikers that may invade
his domain. 1t is not generally known
that at o'clock last night he had
nearly 800 deputies sworn in, who are
available at any time. From the most
reliable information, it was learned
that they are all ready with the requi-
cit ,1or T,f
pared to do business. The sheriff is
on the ground in person, and if there
is a false move made on the part Of the
strikers, drastic measures will be re-
sorted to.
The miners who want to go to work
are stricken with fear and anticipate
trouble The Allison mine had forty
men at work until noon today, when
the plant was shut down, in apparent
anticipation of trouble. During the
afternoon a committee from the En-
terprise mine, three miles up the road,
paid them visit. The committee
wanted to find out what the status of
the situation was. They decided that
the Enterprise would not work under
the present surroundings.
At the Boone mine game of peek-a-
boo is in progress. The men want to
work as long as there are no strikers
in sight. Manager Hitchman, of the
attempt to operate the plant as long
as there was any indication of trouble.
He said he was prepared for any
emergency, and intimated that the
trouble would be over in a few days.
AT a committee meeting at the min
ers' headquarters, in this city, this af-
ternoon the question was discussed
how it would be possible to march a
body of men to stop the miners Of the
New York and Cleveland Gas Coal
Company from working. Every phase
of the subject was talked over, but
no plan could be hit upon. 1t was the
general opinion that the mines of this
company are impregnable to attack be-
cause of their geographical position.
The expected meeting of the board of
arbitration did not take place tonight,
the western members not reaching the
city. AS soon they arrive arrange
,ments will be made for general meet
Wlg of operators.
~The situation among the strikers in
this section is practically unchanged.
The supension is complete, with the
exception of DeArmitts mines, and
though considerable destitution and
suffering is reported among the strik-
ers and their families, the determina-
tion to fight it out is apparently as
strong as on the first day Of the strike.
Wheeling, w. Va, July 21.-There is
little change in the local coal mining
strike situation today. Some of the
miners who struck at the Glendale
works yesterday afternoon returned to
work this morning rather unexpectedly
They are engaged in mining coal for
che es sgines of the Baltimore and Ohio
and Ohio River roads. But for this
partial resumption at Glendale, the
Ohio River road would have been
greatly snconvenienced. There is no
change in the situation at Dillonvaie.
There VIII be demonstration by the
miners Of tkis city and vicinity tomor-
row for the purpose Of inducing the
men at the Boggs Run mines to join
the strike. Employees Of five COM
panies will form in line and march to
the Boggs Run mines with a brass
band The Glendale men, who are
working, will offer to quit work entire
ly TO induce the Boggs Run employees to