Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1901-04-11
jim DOLAN'S BRAVERY,

y Dolans, jim, the 1atner, anu ltCie
Jim, so called to distinguish him from
the head of the house-not for the rea-
son that he was so small, but that their
names might not be confused by the
paymaster-were the only support OF
eight. The several other little Dolans
there were six-from an infant TO
nellie, aged ten, were yet unable to take
their places at the mouth of the great,
yawning mine tkat had swallowed so
many of their neighbors.
The strike was, at the time we write,
in It's third week and at no spot in the
great mining belt was it more severely
| felt than in Hazleton. one of the most
> active of the Pennsylvania coal towns.
Dire want stared many families in the
face.
In this respect the Dolans were no
exceptions. Jim Dolsn, the elder, never
capable of earning over seventy ight
cents a day, loved to spend large part
of his earnings in the saloons.
Little jim considered himself lucky
if he earned forty FIVE cents, and at the
best $l,23 day is not magnificent
sum on which to feed eight hungry
mouths. So when the strike came it
found the Dolans in a bad way.
In Hazleton, as in other towns in the
mining belt, the housewives have credit
to certain amount at the company s
store, that is when work is plenty ard
their men are employed.
But in time of strikes such credit is
Withdrawn and the hard, cruel coal
barons bear down on their white slaves
hoping by slow starvation to compel
them to give in and resume the yoke OF
slavery, which they have for years sc
gallantly striven to throw off.
Meetings were held each day. ard
among the loudeet to condemn the
owners was Jim Dolan.
'Thaves, they are; robbers, all OF EN-
bad sess to emil was the way Jim was
wont to speak Of the men whom he held
responsible for the hunger of his family
Jim was known us one of the most
desperate characters in Hazleton. he
had one soft spot, howevel-his wife
and family-and the thought that they
must suffer, together with the great
quantities of bad whisky he drank, SC
maddened him that he was ready tC
commit most any act OF folly,
The mines about Hazleton were close
" guarded by Plnkerton men.
This was particularly true of the
company's store and buildings, and it
must be desperate miner indeed who
would suggest committing any act Of
violence.
But as we have said Jim Dolan was
desperate and associated with him were
men m less violent than himself
All day long half a dozen of these
miners sat within a short distance OF
the principal mine, sullenly smoking
their pipes and inwardly curslng the
owners and what they termed the" hired
murdeIers," who protected their prop
erty.
At night, in favorite ale house, they
sat in corners, and vowed vengeance
against society as a whole and the Of
Tending mine owners in particular.
Harry Winters, the superintendent
of section No. 10, whore Dolan and hi
pals were employed, came i'll for large
part Of their wrath, mainly, no doubt
because he was we'll behaved, out
spoken young man, who obeyed th'
orders of his chief.
During the height of the strike, whel
the minds of the men were inflame(
with rage and liquor, he mingled freely
among them, although frequently warn
ed that such conduct was dangerous.
To such advice Winters would reply
What have | done? / have alway
done nv duty by the men and the com
pany, aud | shall remain
Winters lived alone, save for house
keeper, al old woman. in little cottag
on the main road, mile from Hdzletol
At night. when the town was in al
uproar and the men were enraged t
the height of madness, he would inss
on going home alone and unprotected
You'll regret your foolhardines, Win
ters,' said the chief superintendent on
stormy night, when Winters, clothed il
a great coat and high topboots, was a
about to sec out tor his cottage. Thes
miners are deyils at such times as these
and
Nonsense, Connors; your fears ar
groundless, and III prove them so i
the morning
When Winters returned, safe an
sound, to the company's Office the fol
lowing morning, be reminded Connol