The bee., 1901-01-03

every reason TO feel proud OF the ef-
forts of Agitator Wood & Co., 10
cause trouble at that mine. The
records show that the production for
thirty days after the imagined strike
took place at that point exceeds that
of the teirty days before and natur-
ally the company feels good. There
: no trouble securing good men TO
fake the place of those, who, accord
NJ To their own statements have
surrendered a good paying position
FOR seventy-two cents per week. and
why should they? The miners there
or the last few years know not v la
dleness is. Plenty Of work at good
wages. The farmers of that county.
seeing the prosperity attending the
miner, and the benefits derived from
the production of coal to the people
In general throughout the county
have no sympathy for those who at
tempt to meddle with class of la
Dor that is satisfied with both wages
and treatment, and we venture to
say that If an effort is made to bring
those at work out by force, thousands
of the land tillers of that county will
be found ready to take up arms in
defense of the miner and his right to
labor without molestation. So the
experience of the Christian county
mine operators comedies with that
of its neighbor. Hopkins, where la
Dor has been stimulated by like
action on the part of the agitators.
Judging from the reports seen in
In the papers, one would think the
order known as the u. M. Workers
were possessed of the wings of, the
angels, and that they would not do
anything by force or offer encourag =
ment to that end. But does not their
control of mines in other States and
their acis there indicate different
feeling? Lock at the blOodshed at
Pana and Virden, ILL.,, caused by
their riOtous acts, and you can see
that the wings are missing.
Those hard-working miners in
other States, or more properly speak
ing, portion of them who are con-
,tributing their mite for the susie
nance ofagitators in this county may
believe the mission of those idlers Is
a just and righteous one, and that
under no circumstances would they
by threats or unlawful acts disturb
the peace and harmony now prevail
ing here. and that they accomplish
their purpose by the use of candy
and cake, but how contrary to this
feeling are the reports heard. Threat
after threat has been made against
coal operators, seine OF the ayitators
or their friends going so far as to
urge the taking of life. The circu-
lation of such reports is what has in
censed the people of this county re-
gardless of their vocation; and should
all effort be made to carry out any of
Il ese threats, blood would freely
flow, and it is currently reported
thatthe parties guilty of making such
threats are well known and that they
are not residents of Hopkins county.
One of our citizens reports sem
sational encounter with some un-
known men last Saturday night. He
was enroute from his home down
when he was approached by two
men, one of whom asked him for q
chew of tobacco, which request he
granted. He was then asked for
what company he worked, and when
he answered for the st. Bernard they
began a violent abuse of him
and used such insulting language
that in order to defend himself he
brought into use large club he car
ried in his hand, and one of them
was dealt a staggering blow. As
SOON as lie partially recovered from
it, he and his companion beat hasty
retreat. 1t is not known who the
part les were, but it should prove u
warning to agitators, if such they
were, to keep away from Darlington.
Never before did the miners of
Hopkins county so enjoy themselves
In one week as they have the past
one. Money was plenty with them,
the result of good wages and the lay
ing by Of the same for the Holidays;
and besides that came the dividend
given by the st. Bernard Coal Com
pany to their employees. When you
find men contented and means at
their kdisposal, you find happiness
for themselves and families, pro-
vided they don't spend their money
for intUxlcalIts.
Praise is due the miners who re-
Gently came out of the mines at the
bidding of their master, one Wood,
the agitator, upon the promise that
they should be well paid for their
time, and when they were assembled
,efora the cashier and the small