Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-29
BATTLE RENEWED.
Continued from page ~


there was no money for the waiting |
men nor any signs of any so Tar as
could be determined.
In the morning one engine, the little |
one called Bo Peep, was started down
the line towards Weeks Mills with a
few men to do some fencing. 1t seems
that some of the fields of the farmers
down the line have been opened by
putting the road through and have not
yet been fenced. The farmers can
not turn out their cattle until this is
done by the railroad, or at least some
of them. This work was therefore
very urgent and strong attempt was
made to do some of it, How far it
was successful cannot be determined
for the little engine had not returned
to North Vassalboro up to dark
Wednesday evening.
The barriers had been removed from
the tracks, Tuesday, the men being
influenced by the payment of part
of their number ana the promise to
nav the remainder, Wednesday. But
soon after the engine went down the
line when it was generally believed
that the promise to pay would not be
met during the day, another and
stronger barrier was raised in the
place of the one that had been re-
moved. This was almost directly in
front of the quarters of the Italians
and consisted of heavy timbers, rails,
an old switch and some old iron.
few timbers had been placed across
the track and then two rails laid on
these parallel Wi the rails of the
road. An old switch was then thrown
on to bind the heap and some more
timbers placed on top of that Alto
gether it was a formidable barricade.
A pole was placed at one end. About
half way up this a small American
flag of cheap material was tackled on
while big banIana handkerchief was
flying from the top. This answered
the purpose of a danger signal. Up
the track little way from the bar
rfcade another danger signal of more
conventional type was displayed. TWO
sticks were placed on either side of
the track and Il bit of red cloth sus-
pended between.
Then, too, down the track below the
barrier on a curve another red nag
had been hosted. 1t was apparent
| from these preparations that the men
| did not intend to let an engine through
nor to have any accident occur. In
the evening red lights were hoisted in
place of the flags.
The intention was freely expressed
| that if the engine came back up the
| line to North NaSsalbor0 barricade
would be promptly erected behind her
so that she would be stalled. The other
train was held at Winslow ard was out
of the way of the strikers. But the en-
CINE did not return from down the line,
at least not before dark.
| Meanwhile the situation in the town
was not particularly pleasing. The men
were naturally getting pretty well out
of patience and they could hardly be
| blamed They had been put oil day
after day since last Thursday and only
a few of them had received their pay III
| full. They had heard so many stories
that they We're in a mood to DOUBT
statements made under oath. They
wanted their money and wanted it very
badly, but apparently there was no
more sign of getting 1t then tnan Wheil
they had first struck.
Eight of the men placed their claims
in the hands of G. w. Hussey of TINS
city and during the day he took legal
steps for their collection. Suit was
brought on all of them and an attach
ment placed on the rolling stock which
happened to be on this end of the road.
This included the larger engine and the
parlor car which had been brought up
TO this end of the line in anticipation
of the visit of the railroad commission
ers who were expected to go over the
line on a tour of inspection. Wednes-
day But these were attached by
| dor
the instruction of Mr.. Hussey and not
a wheel could be moved until the
claims were paid.
Soon after these legal steps were
taken settlement was made by the
| company, says Mr.. Hussey. He col
Iected the full amount of the claims
with costs, the latter amounting to
something like $40. The total amount
received was S419.57 and this was paid
in the form of cashiers check payable
to the order of the Franklin Construc-
ton Co, w. ID. Hewitt president. and
drawn on the Real Estate Trust Co. of
Philadelphia, the Journal is Informed
by Mr. Hussey.
The news that Mr.. Hussey had col
lected the money was received in North
| VaSSalboro during the afternoon, but
was doubted like most of the other re-
ports that were circulated. 1t was also
reported at the same time that a repre-
sentative Of the company would come
down the line with the money for the
remainder of the men ii the barriers
would be removed. But the barrier
erected by the men themselves was be
yond the station at North VassalborO
so they did nothing towards removing
lii but waited for the man with the cash.
But he did not appear during the day.
The report was circulating in Water
vile that ever hing was quiet in
| North Nasalboro and that a settlement
was to be made. But in North Vas
IsaIboro things were different. NJ.
Sereto, who had been in charge of the
larger part of the Italians, left them in
the morning and came to Waterville.
They were therefore without their usual
leader during the day and were at
loss as to what should be done. Aside
from the barrier on the track no
demonstration was made and the day
was passed quietly enough in waiting
| for the money.
Wherever there was a group of strik-
| ers there was some ugly talk. Threats
of violence were made if the money was