Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-12


 the striker had full sway. Two com panies of militia arriving to re-enforce the local command found few of the latter wandering disconsolately about in small squads and civilian dress, the laughing stock of the town, the leaders of the strike having early and thought fully possesaed themselves of their arms, armory and uniforms. Received with ironical cheers, the newcomers sought to communicate with the shsr- if, as their instructions required. Po- lite and sympathetic citizens bade them remain aboard the train and they would be switched over into the yards of the Seattle, where the sheriff was reported holding out as best he could. They remained, were switched as promised not only to but beyond the yards-4o miles beyond. in fact-at breathless speed and bidden to camp there until they were hauled back and to live meantime eR the country. For over 24 hours the strikers had things all their own way and were 1ubilant. Then came the backward sweep of the tide. A wire from the south announced that regulars ware in possession ct Omaha, Council Bluffs and Sioux City and that little battalion was on it's way to the relief of Brentwood, and still the starving and imprisoned live stock baaed, beloved and gquealed for food and water. Still passenger traffic was at a stand. The division superintendent and his assistants were powerless. Though they manned en- zines, threw switches and 'braked" cars, the rails were soaped, the boilers foamed and their engines were Killed" under their very noses, all without vio- lence~ of either word or deed. The strikers liked their division chief and hated to be at odds with him now. So long as only railway hands were per mitted about the yards or stock trains there had been no wanton destruction of property, but to such scenes ever flock the blackgu2rd element of the community, and the news that troops were coming proved an excuse for des-' perate deeds. That night the wintry sky above the Red Water reflected the glare of a mile of flame. Cars, grain sheds and an elevator went up in smoke. There was a barbecue where one section of cattle train could not be rescued and run out in time. All this, telegraphed to Chicago and the officials scattered over the length of the road, called for strenuous action. The wires hummed with appeals and ordersi and calm, placid man, a dark, brown eyed man, who looked the sol dier in spite of civilian dress, drove in- to Brentwood at dawn. the following day, sent certain telegrams to eastern points and one to old Fort Pawnee, far away to the south, got light breakfast and another buggy at the hotel and drove out to the yards. When he re- turned, an hour before noon, the eyes of many citizens followed him in eager curiosity. The first of the regulars was here. At o'clock the news was whispered about the streets that big force of strikers had gone down to the narrows of the valley where the Red Water, turning from the rectitude of it's ways, lashed and foamed between rocky bluffs and heights and the rival lines, Seattle and Big Horn, twisted and turned for some 20 miles not 400 yards apart. A troop train had. left the river bent On forcing a way to Brent wood, and in desperation the strike leaders had determined to topple it in- to the stream.
 It was but few minutes after 2 when, through the Western Union, the stranger received the following dis patch:
 Major Melville, U. .. A., Brentwood:
 Nathan reports serious obstacles. Strikers op- posing movement of train every mile. He has only 100 men. Four companies state militia go out by M- V. at once and may get first to Red Water gorge. The two commands should act in concert CROOK.
 The major replaced the dispatch in its envelope, slowed the packet in an inner pocket and walked slowly from the office into the slanting sunshine without. The street was filled with men sauntering up and down or gath cred in knots at the corners. It was . still, wintry afternoon, though but lit tie snow as yet had fallen east of the mountains. Melville noted that all eyes were on him, but not in open hos tility. Whatever the hands might have in store for the officials of the road or for trainloads of troops, their rancor took no shape against single man, ap- parently, even actually, unarmed. Mel vile carried neither flask nor pistol He was refecting on the miscarriage of the plans for the concentration of troops so far as Brentwood was con- cerned and wondering by what evil chance Nathan had been chosen to command the detachment ordered thither from the south. It was odd to think of light artillery men being so employed at any time, but these were the economical days. Companies, bat teries and troops" could rarely muster more than 30 men for duty. Pawnee's garrison had been split up and sent to three or four important points, and, being senior in date of commission to the two cavalry captains sent with 1t, Nathan had been given the lead, and Nathan looked anything but blissful when "Old Cat" ordered him off Leave enough men to care for your barracks, stables and gun sheds" said he, "draw 30 carbines from the caval- ", let your men leave their sabers and go with carbine and revolver, then you'll be uniform with the troopersn "Cat' thought that when a soldier was uniform with a trooper he couldn't be better off; Nathan thought he couldn't be worse. Next to an Indian Nathan