Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-03-26
Were the Ring leaders Of the
Strike at the Patch Shops
in Rutland.
THE STRIKE BREAKERS
Testify That Capeless Threatened Them
with Rough Treatment-Ca peless
and Martin Acted as Pickets-
Court Rules Out. Testimony
Regarding Boycott.

Rutland March 23.-The two ring lead
ers among the strikers, both of whom
are wanted here but cannot be found, were
subjects of most of the testimony in the
trial of the Patch suit against the local
machinists union in county court to-day.
The court room was crowded to-day.
Threatening language and hard names
were. according to strike breakers, hurled
at them by John Capeless who. the
plaintiffs counsel insinuated last week,
perhaps broke open the desk and abb
stracted the much desired records Of the
union before he disappeared. one Wit
ness said he was forcibly searched BY
Harry Martin, the other leader who re-
moved revolver from the witness, and
later had him arrested.
Frequent objections from the defense
added to the interest. The plaintiff sew
eral times tried tn work in testimony
showing the operation of the boycott
against scabs but it was ruled out on each
attempt. The plaintiffs witnesses Will con-
tinue on the stand tomorrow at . O'Clock
when court reconvenes.
The testimony in the defence is not ex-
pectod for some days yet the report being
that the plaintiff Will use many NOR
chants to show that the strikers threa--
cned TO boycott them If the merchant,
did not boycott the scabs.
Your a son of "a scab,' is what Oliver
Dervicr said Capcless called him when
they met on tic street.
"If YOU say tina. again I'll break ALI the
bones in your body" DerVier claims no
replied.
'Ill lay you stiff some night was Cape
Less rejoinder.
DO it now" urged Dcrvier hut the wit
ness says Capeless passed by on the other
aide. on cross examination Dervier who
weighs over 200 said although Capclcss
was over six feet tall and weighed 16'
pounds. he, Dcrvicr wasn't scared a bit
when threatened.
+; l.. Ruswell said Martin stopped him
one night and asked if Boswell had his
shooter" with him. The witness replied
"1e did not" whereupon Martin searched
him. found a revolver and calling police
man had tho witness arrested for carrying
concealed weapons.
Luther Leach was induced by Martin,
by promises of work and money, which
were never fulfilled, to leave work IT
Patch's shop. according to his testimony
TO-DAY. He returned to work when the
promises proved to be empty words.
William Labombard, bookkeeper and
purchasing agent at Patch's plant. said he
had seen Capeless and Martin acting as
pickets near the plant. He was the last
witness to-day.
No motion was made by either side to-
day to get the unions private records
which rnysteriousy disappeared last week
md which notwithstanding Judge Hasel-
toms order, have not yet been produced
Tho strikers and other union men en-
phatically assert they know nothing OF
the records whereabouts.
CHALLENGE For a BOWLING MATCH
Rutland. March 23.-George Robb of Bur
lington has challenged the local Masonic
team to bowling match to be rolled il
Rutland Friday afternoon with a team
from the Queen City. 1t is expected the
challenge will he accepted. The Burlington
team is willing also to play the Rutland
Bowling club or the Marble City bowlnl
team while here.
Il LICENSES ASKED IN RUTLAND.
Rutland. March 23.-The advertising Of
ing 80 application from which only !
licenses can be granted. The applications
are divided: Six for first and second class
four for first class eight for second class
seven for third class. one for fourth class
one for druggist license The hearing,
will be at the city hall April al 7:3o p. m
ODD FELLOWS TO MEET IN RUT
LAND.
Rutland, March GA big gathering O
odd Fellows, including encampments II
districts Nos. and will be held at Ode
Fellows hall in this city Friday evening
the 9th. Many grand lodge officers ar
expected. In addition to the comforting o
the patriarchal degree by Otter CreeI
Lodge No. Of Rutland. secret work vii
be eNempifcd by grand lodge officers !
collation. will be served after the work
In thu district mentioned towns hayin,
encampments are Poultney, Brandon Ben
nington and this city.