The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-04-14
END OF A STRIKE.

grew TO an alarming extent They woul
meet In the town hall every saturda
night, and 1t was stated at one time tina
every man and woman employed In th
mills at Duroaryille had been initiates
and was full Hedged member.
Everything, however, moved alonl
peaceably until one day the weave hand
In the Eldora cotton mill read motto
posted on the wall to the sffsot that, be
ginning on the first of tho next month
the company would be compelled to re
duce the price of weaving from 30 to q
cents per bolt
The next morning there appeared. o,
the sidewalks and on the walls of man,
houses some mysterious chalk marks.
The same night, about 8 O'Clock, a grea
stream Of people could be seen going to
ward the city hall, and then the uninitiat
cd began to speak of the chalk marks ant
nod their heads knowingly.
The knights kept their own counsel
and 1t was absolutely impossible to obtail
any information as to their intentions
But the indications appeared to point to
big strike.
All the next morning little knots o
workmen about the Eldora mill could b
seen evidently discussing the situation.
Before 10 O'Clock 1t was announced tina
committee Of knights, composed o
Franklin Watson, the Eldora superintend
emit, who, strange to say, was leading
spirit among the knights, and two work
men, would wait upon Julian Carson, vic,
president and also president of the bigges
tobacco factory In town, to protest agains
the proposed reduction.
Mr.. Carson was fair man and dis
posed to settle the matter to the satisfao
ton of all parties concerned But on sec
ond thought he referred 1t all to Genera
Manager Cookshaw.
Superintendent Watson, as speaker fo1
the committee, told the general manager
that should the proposed reduction bt
made strike Of the Eldora employees
would follow and advised against it.
"1'll run this mill according to my OWE
ideas" Cookshaw said, land If at any tirae
our people become dissatisfied and want to
quit they can do 80. There are thousands
Of idle workmen who would be only too
glad to fill their places"
A strike was inauguated.
General Manager Cookshaw became OBJ
stinate and declared that be would sweep
the Knights Of Labor from the face Of the
earth.
But his efforts to f1ll the places of tho
strikers were absolutely fruitless.
The fight in few days began to wax
exceedingly warm, and report that all
the employees of the other mills would be
called out in sympathy created no little
excitement.
The report WAS true, for In less than six
hours from the time 1t had gained curren-
cy not wheel of machinery in Durcarville
was turning.
Everything was tied up tighter than a
drum. Business was completely paralyzed,
ologged.
In a few days there would be suffering
and starving among the people, for they
were all of the poor class and their saw
ings did not amount to great deal.
1t would never do. The strike must be
settled.
The people Of Durcarville were of a very
religious temperament.
There was great preacher in Durcar-
Vile Of the name Of Lomanson-the Rev.
George Lomanson-and he was power
too.
Brother Lomanson would preach twice
every Sunday, bury all the dead, offlciate
at every marriage, weep when Others wept
and laugh when they laughed. He would
visit the sick, comfort the dying, and was,
l think, an ideal village pastor, although
he had full sway In Durcarville Of nearly
10000 population.
Brother Lomanson took O hand in the
strike.
Sunday he preached from the text, "The
laborer is worthy Of his hire"
The church was crowded, and after tho
regular services the preacher announced
that the next morning of 10 o'clock there
would be mass meeting of the people of
Durcarville at the public square, and he
wanted everybody to be on hand
1t is needless to say that the entire pop
ulation turned out, because the strike was
then assuming serious proportions
An improvised stand had been arranged
for the speakers, and just minute or two
before 10 O'Clock Miss Birdie Edwardiey, q
lovely little blond of II, who was herself
one of the strikers employed in the Eldora
mill was seen pushing her way through
the crowd that surrounded the speakers
stand Reaching the steps, she quickly
ascended and in moment stood facing
the vast multitude. Before any one could
realize what it all meant her voice was
heard in sweetest song:
All hail the power Of Jesus uamei
Let angels PROSTATE fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown him Lord Of all.
The great throng of strikers Joined in
the singing, and the very hills and valleys
about Durcaryille reverbera ted and echoed
until the sun itself seemed to step and look
curiously upon the strange scene
Brother Lomanson in the meantime was
hack and forth on tho platform
singing with his soul afre.
General Manager Cookshaw, who was
on the outsk irts of the crowd, could stand
the scene no longer.
He gave a signal to Brother Lomanson,
and instantly the singing ceased.
Then General Manager Cookshaw made
a statement from the platform. In another
hour every factory in Durcaryilie was run.
ming in full blast.
The strike had ended, and all were
happy.
just one year to the very day after these
stirring scenes on the public square all
the people Of Durcarville turned out to
witness the most important wedding in
The history of the little city. Superintend-
ant Watson acted as best man, and Broth.
'r Lomanson officiated as usual, and the
bride, Miss Birdie Edwardley, was the
very picture Of loveliness
Mr.. and Mrs. Cookshaw went on an ex-
ended bridal tour, and I've heard 1t said
hat they are the happiest couple in North
Carolina.
And to this day the people of Durcar.
lille tell Of the great strike, which for
lniqueness and its happy termination has
zone into history without q parallel.-Ex-
hange.
Earth Best For Forts.