The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-25
Copyright, 1901, by Charles King

neu water rejected the glare Of a mile
OF name. Cars. grain sheds and an eleva-
.or went up In smoke. There was bar
pecue where one section OF n cattle train
could not be rescued and run out In time.
All TINS. telegraphed TO Chicago and the
OFFICIALS scattered over the length OF the
road. called for strenuous action. The
wires hummed with appeals and orders,
and calm. placid man. n dark, brown
eyed man. who looked the soldier I'm spite
or civilian dress, drove into Brentwood
at dawn the following day, ssnt certain
teiesrams to eastern points and one to old
Fort Pawnee. far away 10 tho south got
n hght breakfast and another buggy at
the hotel and drove out to the yards.
When he returned. an hour before noon.
the eyes OF many citizens followed him
In eager curiosity. The first OF the regu-
lars was here. At 2 o'clock the news was
whispered about the streets that a big
force OF strikers had gone down 10 the
narrows OF the valley where the Red
Water. turning from the rectitude OF
Its ways lashed and foamed between
rocky bluns 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 way 10 Brentwood, and
In desperation the strike leaders had de-
termined to topple II into the stream.
IL was but few minutes after
stranger received tho following dis
patch:
Major Melville. ". 8. A., Brentwood:
Nathan reports serious obstacles. Strik-
ers opposing movement OF train every
mile. He has only 100 men. -Four compan-
les state militia go out by NJ. v. at onNa
and may get frst 10 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 Of
flee into the slanting sunshine without.
The street was filled with men saunter-
ing up and down or gathered In knots at
the corners IL was still, wintery after
noon. though but little snow as yet had
fallen east OF the mountains. Melville
noted that all eyes were on him. but not
In open hostility. Whatever the hands
might have in store for the officials OF
the road or for train loads OF troops. their
rancor took no shape against single
man, apparently, even actually. unarm-
ed. Melville carried neither flask nor pis-
toll He was rejecting on the miscarriage
OF the plans for the concentration OF
troops far as Brentwood was concern
ed and wondering by what evil chance
Nathan had been chosen TO command the
detachment ordered thither from the
south. II was odd TO think of light artil-
lery men being so employed at any time.
but these were the economical days
Companies, batteries and troops" could
rarely muster more than 30 men for duty.
Pawnee's garrison had been split up and
sent 10 three or foar important points.
and. being senior in date OF commission
TO the two cavalry captains sent with IL,
Nathan had been given the lead. and Ma
than looked anything but blissful when
"Old Cat" ordered him off. Leave
lxar aalro
stables and gun sheds" said he, draw
80 carbines from the cavalry, let your
men leave their sabers and go with car
bine and revolver, then you'll be uniform
with the troopers"
Cat" thought that when a soldier was
uniform with trooper he couldn't be
better off: Nathan thought he couldn't
be worse. Next TO an Indian Nathan
hated a mob. Two hours from the time
the orders reached him the command
was ready TO go, but not so Nathan.
Two days from the time they started
they were still two days march from
Brentwood. and their train met no de-
tention whatever until IL got well into
northern Nebraska. Then IL was found
so easy to induce the commanding Of
ficer to believe that the track was all
torn up just ahead or that strikers had
blown up or burned down bridges that
sympathizers with the wageworkers kept
up the practice at every station, and Ma
than was sending dispatch after dispatch
to Omaha, the tidings Of which, when 1t
all came 10 be investigated. proved utter
ly untrue, as the general hold them TO
be at the time. and naturally he grew
indignant and nervous. While most OF
the troops had been hurried TO Chicago
and the Mississippi crossings. the garri-
sons west OF Omaha had been ordered to
rendezvous there or go direct 10 other
designated points In the northwest.
Brentwood was making no great trouble.
was the first report. Two or three com
panies OF state militia were all that was
needed, according to the original views
OF the authorities. and they were sent
there, with the result shat jeering tele
grams came back TO the magnates. the
marshals and the military authorities
called into action. All OF a sudden peo-
pie woke up TO the realization that Brent
wood was railroad town and the whole
community practically I'm sympathy. with
the operatives All Of n sudden the
news came flashing over the wires that
Captain Nathan with 100 men from Fort
Pawnee. had been stoned and compelled
TO retire when his command was de-
trained at Gunnison. and. though ofhcers
and men declared their readiness 10 push
ahead afoot their cautious captain for
bade any man To push foot ahead until
he could again communicate by wire
with department headquarters
what did I tell you9" growled the
veteran Indian fighter, now taking his
irst turn OF any consequence against the
mob You've heard the old saying. An
army Of sheep led by lion can whip an
army of lions led by n sheep and that's
what's side tracked now AZ Gunnison.'
And at the very moment that Nathan
was holding back there. alarmed and ir-
resolute with 100 fighting men ready for
any duty and chatting at their comman-
der's inaction. another troop train came
steaming into the station. Two alert,
clear eyed. sturdy men In civilian dress
sprang from the engine cab. and NJ sight
OF the foremost the men who had so easi-
ly daunted the commanding officer of the
first train seemed TO stink away He
dived into the telegraph office. spent "A
few minutes in sending and receiving
dispatches. and In that few minutes the
platform swarmed with laughing.
shouting. showing. altogether hilarious
crowd OF young fellows In loose. Tapping
blue blouses and great coats. eagerly
seeking somethlng-anything 10 eat or
drink Aboard the first train. far up