The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-06-01
TROLLEY WAR
AT DARBY.

Darby is the throes OF a fierce trolley
war The bone OF conien,ion is the tiny
bridge that spaIs Darby Creek, near tho
site of the famous Buttonwood Hotel The
factions that are AT war are tho Chester
| Traction company and the Philadelphia.
| Morton and Swarthmoro street railway
co mpany,
So hot has the war become that two RI.
| val gangs of labOrers have already had
| sklrnlshes. and as n result several of she
official. of tho Chester Traction company
have been arres'ed. Ons of them, Arthur
! +. Jacks. OF Chester, superintendent of
| construction in addition TO being charge Il
| with making threats and iuciting to vo-
| lence. Is accused of the larceny of big
| railroad switch. belonging to the Phila-
dophia, Motion and Swarthmore street
railway company,
Late last night the warriors OF both
companies consisting of about two hum
dred colored and Italian laborers, were
resting on their arm, within sight OF each
other.
There having been threats of war be.
tween the two trolley companies for
months on account of the r!ght of way
over the Darby Crock Bridge. The Irac.
ton company. which operates between
Darby, Ches Or AID Wilmington, has had
single track over tine bridge for several
yells and last summer, when its rival, tho
Philadelphia, Morton aud Swarthmore
Co, completed n line us far rs the Junction
Of Parker avenue and Chester pike, the
old company refused 10 let il use ts track
or put in a frog.
There were aire threats indulgsd in aJ
the time and the subject was nuu!y
thrown into court,
About ten days ago the court in session
a. Media gave decision in favor of the
new trolley road and the managers an
nounced that they would put in the much
desired connection.
The nunsgers of the Chester Traction
company then took an appeal to tho State
Supreme Court and notified their RIVALS
that il a switch was put In they would
tear ii out.
About the time that the work of laying
tbs swi cn was begun the cars OF the Chss
ter Traction company became suddenly
stalled at Norwood, about two miles be-
low Darby, While the block Lasted he
switch was put in.
In he meantime the managers of the
Chester Traction company began to smell
arat. They maIea hnsty investiga ion,
which confirmed their worst fears Theu
they quickly got their 8 allied cars free and
rushed them lack TO Chester. where SOW
Gral bundled sturdy negro laborers were
quickly engaged and armed with heavy
pick handles.
This improrised army was packed in'o
tWo tfOltey cars ana fuSDeu o tho tcene
OF action. Without the loss Of Il moments
time Mr.. Jack drew his force up in battle |
array. The opposition also got ready for
conflict. |
Failing to accomplish their purpose by |
force the Philadelphia, Mort on and |
Swari hmore people again resorted to law
and caused warrants to be Issued for the
following officials Of the opposition; Ar-
thur JACK, superb ltendent of construc-
ton; Dr.. James MoFadden, of Chester
real estate agent, aud Samuel Haigh, of
Clifton, agent OF tho Baltimore avenue
division. Mesr McFadden and IInigh,
who are charged with making threats and
incltins to violence, were held in $500
bail each for further hearing, Mr.. Jack,
who. as before seated is accused Of taking
away tho heavy switch, was held in $500
bail
just what the ou como OF he war will
be no ons can us yet foretell. The railway
companies have established camps near
the scene. Last night ali Of the laborers
were maintained within their rospect!ves
lines. They built camp fires and cooked
meals which tho companies sent to the
scene. Crowds of curious spectators sur
rounded the camps. s.ar4s