The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-09-20
ABDUCTED THEIR BOSSES.
Italians Adopt a Novel Method To
Obtain Wages.
QUEER PHASE OF STRIKE ON OK.
FORD CENTRAL.

Men Hold Superintendent and Engineer as
Security For Their Pay-Sheriff Con-
cludes Not to Interfere-Contractor Has
Arrived-Men Said to Have Been
Released.
Waterford, September 19-The strike of
the 200 Italian laborers on the Oxford
Central Electric railway because their
pay sswas not forthcoming, has not yet
been settled.
Yesterday they seized Superintendent
Davis, Engineer Wilson and James Hal
lett, one OF. the bosses, and declared their
intention of holding them as hostages un-
til they received their pay. Sheriff Por-
ter visited their camp yesterday with
posse of deputies, but found the situa-
tion such that he concluded to let the
prisoners remain until today. Hallett
succeeded in making his escape during
the night, but Superintendent Davis and
Engineer Wilson are still held by the
Italians, who are greatly worked up over
the situation.
W. L. Davis, the contractor has arrived
and expects to be able to pay the men
very soon. If this is done the trouble will
quickly end. Sheriff Porter, accompa-
MED by posse, and a priest, held con-
ference with the strikers this afternoon,
but was not able to effect any j.materiat
change in the situation.
HOW 1T ALL HAPPENED.
A octo ofO
Why Men Were Not Paid.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.J
been new developments today relative to
the strike of the 225 Italians on the Ok
ford Central Electric railway, and the
contractors side of the story can now be
told.
James Hallett, the bookkeeper, has es-
capped, but Albert. Davis, the superintend-
ent, and L. B.Wilson, chief engineer, are
still in the hands of the strikers. They
are treated well, allowed to walk about
the camp and say they would rather
remain where they. are than be the cause
of any violence.
L. B. Wilson has ordered 400 loaves of
bread every other day from Boston
bakery which with other supplies will
afford the Italians sufficient food.
This afternoon Sheriff Porter with
Deputies Cross and Garland, and Father
M. d. Summa, the priest, drove to the
strikers camp and held long conference
relative to releasing the imprisoned men.
The Italians refused to give them up.
On his return Father Summa said he
the men at present would result in blood
shed.
W. L. Davis, of Davis & O'Brien, Bos-
ton railway contractors, brother to the
Albert Davis, who is in the custody of
the strikers, arrived today.
In an interview with PRESS corre-
spondent he said this trouble had devel-
oped through an unexpected and un-
avoidable accident. As soon as the pay
roll was made up, Fred G. Wilson, pr esi-
dent of the road, who has charge of the
financial matters, and myself, started for
New York to get the money which had
been promised to us by a re esponsible
capitalist. He was not at home, but tele-
graphed that he would be there the next
day. He did not come then, but sent
another telegram, and when he caused
further delay we began to think he
avoided us Intentionally, and visited an
other capitalist with whom we expect to
close the trade for $23, 800 by giving our
note with bonds of the road as collateral.
He will give us enough to pay all present
indebtedness at once and the balance as
required in the construction of the road.
No money was due the Italians till
September 10. They struck September
16 and imprisoned Mr.. Davis, the next
day. But for the three days unexpected
delay everything would have gone on
smoothly.
From another source it was learned
that Mr.. Wilson expects to sell $3.50, 900 of
bonds very soon, which will afford ample
means.
The Prisoners Released. a
Lewiston, September ia special to
the Sun from Norway says that the two
railroad men, Superintendent Davis and
Engineer Wilson, who were imprisoned
in hut by striking Italians, were liber-
ated this afternoon. Sheriff Porter. with
five deputies and FIR. Summa of Lewis
ton tried nerSuaSion to get the men out