Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-16

Special to the Register
Fairmont. W. Va, August lo.-Io-
night the outlook in this region is more
favorable for the success Of the strike
than ever before, and every indication
points TO large accessiOns to the ranks
Of the strikers tomorrow morning.
AS this dispatch is written one thous-
Aapd strikers. under the leadership OF
Wood and O'Counell, are camped in the
vicinity of the Montana mines. The
camp has been named Camp O'Connell,
after James O'Connen, third vice presi-
dent Of the American Federation of La
bor. and the men expect to be joined
in the morning by several hundred ad-
ditional strikers, who have worked
steadily up to this time. This is the
claim of the leaders, and the indications
justify it.
The nucleus Of the marching column
was formed in the Clarksburg district,
thirty miles away. soon after daylight
this morning, and the men from that
region set out on the long tramp for
Fairmont. On the way they picked up
crowds of strikers from every mine
along the railroad. and when the Mo-
pongah field was reached early this eve
ming. they received additional large re-
Inducements. The column, numbering
very close to one thousand men, reached
this place after dark, and filed through
in a most orderly manner, taking their
way TO the Montana mines. There they
viii remain until morning. and have as
suAnces that the Montana men will
them in a body. If things turn out
expected. the other Watson mines
probably be taken in turn, and so
through the district until the plat
has been swept clean and clear
headers are confident that they have
at Mast gotten things on the move, and
that victory is in sight.
To-day Messrs. O'Connell and Wood
spoke at a meeting at Watson. The ga
thering was outside of the limits Of the
town, as the company owns all the
ground, and warned the strikers away.
One Of the operators took his stand on
the edge Of the town, and not only for
Did the strikers from entering upon the
property Of the company, but com
handed the company miners to remain
IN the compshy property. A good many
If the company miners were rounded up
n a church to keep them away from
he meeting the more efectually. De-
spite theSe precautions, some Of the
Watson miners were at the meeting,
and taxed freely to the labor leaders.
James Woods said 10 your corre-
spondent to-day;
1--WE have a strong union at Montana
mines already. having had organizers
work there for a long time and or
anized the men without the knowledge
the company. In talking with min
rs from that mine who attended our
meeting to-day, they stated that they
were constantly in debt TO the compa-
nv. no matter how steadily they work.
cd. or what wages they were paid. The
company store does it, Some Of the
men told me they had asked for pass
boors. to keep a check Of their pur-
chases and the charges against them.
and had been refused the answer given F
them that it would make too much cleri- +
cal work for the company officials The
men say they prefer laying down their
tools to the slow death which must IN
evitably follow the continuance Of the
present system, and there is no doubt
5ut that they will strike in the morn T.
ing. and their action will be followed
by the men at the remainder Of the I.
Watson mines in a very few days
James O'Conren corroborated this .
view of the situation and added that I.
the strike would soon be general /
throughout the Fairmont region.
Last night Woods and OConnell I.
spoke at Mt. Clare. Harrison courtyard .
then set out this morning with the ad- /
vance guard Of the big procession, which /
arrived here tonight.
Tuesday evening O'Connell will make I
an address to the business men Of Fair |
mont. by request. His topic will be:
How the Company store effects the |
business Of the town merchant
The miners procession observed the |
greatest decorum this evening. and at
tracted universal attention All the !
men in line appeared confident Of sue
cess. Most Of the marchers were very |
tired, some having tramped fully thirty |
h,miles.
- This afternoon Messrs. Rea and Car |
ney addressed a meeting Of miners at |
TyrconnelL ,r9A
Judge Jackson prOush the