Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-30
BLOCKADE LIFTED.
More of the w., W. & Strikers
Paid, Thursday,
Some in Full, Some in Part and Some
of Them Discharged.
Situation Thus Eased and No More
Trouble Expected.

Waterville, Me, May 29.-(SpeciaD.-
There were all sorts of rumors
afloat in the city, Thursday forenoon,
in regard to the strike situation in
North Vassalboro. As has been usual
during the past few days the reDort
was circulated that the men would
certainly be paid. The men understood
that the hour fixed was 10 O'Clock in
the forenoon and waited patiently I'M
til that time. But they We're once more
disappointed for the money did not ar
rive on the hour.
But at about 1880 in the forenoon n
party Of the men most interested in the
interested in the enterprise left here
by team for WinSloW where the train
that mad been attached by LAWYER
Hussey. Wednesday, was waiting for
them. The party included J. {. Gill,
r. +. Boardman and II. {. Thompson of
Philadelphia, President l.. Atwood and
General Manager G. p. Farley. The
party arrived in North Vassalboro in
due season.
Portland paper stated that 4 lot of
Italians passed through that city en-
route for North Eassalboro to take the
place of their striking brethren. This
report caused considerable uneasiness
among those watching the progress of
the strike for it looked like Il fight as
sure rs preaching ii the two gangs OF
foreigners were pat against each other.
one being strikers ana the others
''scabs. This was considered the most
serious rumor that had been heard
during the strike.
This report could not be verified dur
ing the forenoon. So far as could be
be learned none of the reported ap-
preaching Italians had passed through
here hence it WAS supposed if they
were really on the road that they had
been sent around by the way of Rock
land ANA WiscIsset. The W., w. &
f. road had a train at that end of the
line, Wednesday night. ana the report
ed move of the Italians gave rise to the
belief that the train had been sent
down to that end Of the line for the
purpose Of bringing the foreigners up
to North VassaIborO.
During the forenoon. however.
nothing had been heard in the little
town of the new crew Of Italians.
When the report was received there it
was generally conceded that if an at
tempt was made to clear the rails and
set the new crew to work in the place
of the strikers there would be serious
trouble
But the fact that the party of gentle
men who are interested in the road had
gone down to North Vassalboro was
encouraging for II looked as if they in
tended to pay off the Old men. Up to
noon, with the exception of the new
rumors that were afoat the situation
remained practically the same as it
was. Wednesday. II was reported from
the scene Of the trouble that the men
still retained their ugly mood and if
anything We're still more ugly.
But just after noon the telephone
message was received here that about
30 of the men had been paid some in
full and some in part, and that some of
them had been discharged. 1t was I'M
derstOod that these paid were Italians.
This eased up the situation once
more. Some Of the men, however. We're
no better off than before and it was
rather difficult to determine just how
they would take the situation. Things
We're reported quiet again, however
and that there was no immediate
danger of serious disturbances.
After the payment had been made
the blockade was removed from the
track and the train hearing the party
allowed to pass through on it's way
down the line. No more news was re-
| ceived from the coming Italians and
| Continued on page 81