Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-09
is VIClOUSLY ASSAULTED
Several Painters Severely Beat W. A.
Weakly While He is at Work,
HE REFUSES TO JOIN IN THE STRIKE
Complaint Sworn Out Against His As
sailants-Assault Occurs in n Pri-
yate Residence-Mrs. Cline At
tempts to Assist Victim.

A member of the painters union, w. A.
Weakly, who failed to strike at the time
the other members ceased work on the old
scale of so cents per hour, was assaulted
while at work yesterday at the home
of H. T. Cline 1924 Franklin street, where
he was engaged in papering room, Weakly
appeared at the office of the city prosecutor
and filed a complaint against his assailants.
He is sustained in the complaint by H. \.
Rosters, by whom he is employed,
In relating his story TO Major Miller,
Weakly said he was busy in a room alone,
other workmen being engaged in other parts
of the house. John Korf, a former employe
OF Mr.. Rosters, and who was a stranger
TO Weakly, entered the apartment. They at
tempted to persuade Weakly to leave his
work in order to sustain the union in its
attempt to secure an advance Of the scale
to 80 cents per hour Mr.. Rosters having
refused to sign a contract. Weakly declined
to do as requested until he had finished the
work in Mr.. Kllne's house, at least There
upon he says Kort struck him on the jaw,
telling him to the floor and rendering him
temporarily unconscious. When he recov-
cred and attempted to rise, Korf grabbed
him around the arms and the other man took
hold of his feet.
Mrs. Cline heard the scuffle and ran in
to learn the cause of the trouble. Observ-
ing the position in which Weakly was held,
she placed her arms around him and tried
to shield him with her body thinking the
men would not strike ner. Korf caught
one Of her arms at the wrist and wrenched
| 1t violently, and finally succeeded in sepa-
! rating her from Weakly, who was dragged 10
| the door. Some one outside opened the
door and Weakly was pulled into the yard,
! where President w. II. Bell OF the painters
union, ole Echdahl, J. c. Russell and three
| other members Joined in kicking and strik-
ing him.
! Mrs. Cline again attempted to interfere
/ and was pretty badly shaken up before the
trouble ended Her husband stated after
/ ward that she was just recovering from a
! severe attack of sickness, and the rough
treatment left her almost prostrated.
Weakly says the seyerest blow inflicted
upon him was delivered by Bell in the form
/ of a kick in the back part OF his head.
BeIrs Statement.
President Bell stated that the trouble was
caused more by a personal mlsunderstand-
ing between Weakly and Korf than any
<thing else. He said the two had worked
together and Korf had done Weakly num-
Der Of fayors. Regarding the trouble he
said:
Il did not see it commence, as / was out
in the yard. weakly came mere year OF
/ two ago when the union was out on a
strike and went TO work. After the strike
he was taken into the union, but, as he has
not paid any dues for six months, he is moi
now a member | did not see Mrs Cline
struck by any one and do not think she
was. An effort is being made TO create
sentiment against the union by calling thi;
a riot. but it was not and the union mer
should not be blamed for the trouble, They
went there TO demonstrate with the mer
working and to use peaceable arguments
to induce them TO quit"
President Bell added that the strike wa
in a fair way to prove success II
claimed that only one other firm OF any con
sequence besides II. A. Rosters had refuse
to sign the scale TO pay the striking paint
ers 35 cents an hour. He believed that the
eventually would agree to the advance.
President Bell, Korf and Eckdahl appeare
yesterday afternoon and entered plea G
, not guilty 10 assault and battery. Thl
complaint also involved J. c. Russell an
two others. second complaint was file
against Korf by Alonzo A. Hopson, forema
for Rosters, who charged him with assau
and battery. The two cases are set for hear
ing at o'clock April II. the defendant