The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-28
DREADFUL SUPERSTITION
Eerrible Condition street Car ServIs
Would BE in II 1t Were

Would BE in II 1t Were.
II appears that It can no longer be sue
cessfully concealed that a street car
strike Is on in Wichita. Yesterday morn
ing the College Hill line was tied IN
Soneoody had thrown car off the track
ana raging mob gathered around the
car and scratched the paint off the sides.
some time during the day the feeling
spread TO Fairmount, and twelve cars
olockaded up there, and grave fears are
entertained that the strikers may dishg-
ure the cars. On South Main street yes
terday at o'clock the Iong-expected clash
between the strikers and the police took
place. Ben Downing In charge of
mounted squad consisting OF Tony Brufen
and Major Mcmillan attempted to conduct
car through the mob. Time and time
again the mob swept down on Tony
Bruhen and Colonel Downing, while Mr..
Mcmillan debouched TO the left to meet
a possible flank attack, and time and time
again Tony Bruhen)and Colonel Downing
drove them back. step by step. Mr..
Bruhen was struck on the back of the
neck with a turnip and a freckle he has
carried for forty years knocked complete
ly of. He hesitated only for a moment,
and then putting Major Mcmillan on his
right side and Colonel Downing on his
left, charged into the thick of the surg
ing crowd. The crowd faltered and fell
back and slowly the street car began TO
creep forward. 1t was then discovered
that one Of the hind wheels Of the street
car was missing. Tony Bruhen accused
the strikers OF stealing It. but the motor
man explained that ne had left the wheel
up at the power house in the morning
through an oversight. BY this time the
mob began to shout excitedly to Tony
Bruhen to fall back. But It was too late.
The charge Of ono hundred pounds OF
dynamite which the strikers had put on
the track. was struck by the car and ex-
ploded. There was q deafenlng roar and
a prodigious cloud OF dust and wild cheers
from the mob Mr.. Bruhen picked him
self UP from the corner of Douglas and
Market street and picked three buttons,
eight pebbles and a piece Of barb-wire out
Of his teeth and rushed again into the
scene Of excitement. AS soon as the dust
from the explosion settled, the cheering
OF the mob ceased and was followed by
low mutterings OF anger for Il was plain
to all that while the dynamite had done
its worst and completely wrecked the car,
the car really looked improved.
The mob on South Main street thereupon
dispersed. but soon gathered again on
North Main street, supposed TO be the
smoothest piece of track In Wichita Here
the mob took new tactics. A car was cap
tured and Mr.. Watuck, who was picked
because he was once a sailor, was placed
on the car and told to run II to Fair
view and ditch It. He had gone half a
block when the car suddenly bucked him
of. He was picked up and carried to DR..
Shuts office and examined. It was found
that his gizzard had been thrown back on
his liver and telescoped the vermiform
appendix over the left lung. This mad
dened the mob. Man after man mounted
were bucl1ed of by the car and left bleed
ing at the side OF the road.
Ernest was asked last night about his
views ON the matter and denies absolutely
that there is n strike. He says there IS
nothing To arbitrate.
Ernest then took his telescope. and scan
ming the eastern horizon. announced the
College Hill car ten minutes late.
Two cars loaded with university stu |
dents were held on the West Side line |
near the Masonic Home for nearly an hour |
in the afternoon until officers were sent |
to dispense the mob. Mayor Ross called a |
special meeting OF the council and said |
he would keep the West Side cars going |
II he had to detail half the regular police |
force to guard the line All was Quiet at /