The Ocala evening star., 1905-12-23
A WARM Time
IN KEY WEST
Experience Of Kentuckian Who Was
Mistaken for an Emissary of
the Strikers
CTanpa Times. 22ndD


q most critical stage having already
resulted in great damage 70 the cigar
: Industry in that city. as we'll as TO
othe~ Industries promoted by the pro-
gressive citizens Of the Island City.
Strenuous measures are now being
taken 20 put an end to the strike, for
which labor agitators are said 70 be
entirely responsible.
Realizing that the strike cannot and
viii not be brought 10 an end until the
( city is rid Of these agitatOrs the lead
/ ing business men Of Key West have
organized a committee similar To that
organized in Tampa during the great
strike OF several years ago. and the
principal work cut out for this COM
miJtee viii b. the wholesale deporta-
tion of agitators who persist in pre-
venting a settlement Of the strike. al
though the manufacturers are said TO
have acceded TO every demand made
by the strikers.
The 6etermir alton Of the committee
% Go their work in a thorough man
ner is best shown by the experience
II a prominent Kentuckian. who is
said 70 be at present a guest of the
Tamra Bay Hotel. The gentleman in
question is a successful commercial
traveller. and is at present recuperat-
ing in Florida. His experience. given
as follows. shows that the committee
is determined 10 put an end TO finan-
cial aid being brought 10 the strikers
from Tampa and other cities. and also
that quite a number of Key West cit
izens are Of the opinion that the re-
ports published in the New York To-
bacco Journal regarding contributions
on the part Of local real estate dealers
are true. which is absurd and un-
! just:
Last week the gentleman referred
10 left Tampa for Key West, being one
Of the few passengers on board the
Peninsular and Occidental steamer to
stop in the Island City. Immediately
upon his arrival the gentleman reg
1 istered at the Jefferson. Key Vests
leading hotel. and after supper was
| quietly smoking a cigar in the lobby
When faS trouble began.
His attention was attracted to the
sudden appearance Of a number of aps
parently prominent business men in
the lobby, one of whom approached
him and asked for a brief conversa-
ton. The gentleman naturally grant
ed this modest request. and stepped
aside with the man who approached
him. He was then Immediately sur
rounded by the entire committee, and,
! against his urging denials. was in
1 formed that he was a spy sent from
Tampa to encourage the strike move
ment. and that he had brought down
on the steamer not less than $4,000. a
report to this effect having been sent
from Tampa by unknown representa-
tives Of the manufacturers here.
With little ceremony the travelling
man was induced 10 take the commit
tee To his own room in the jefferson.
the committee surrounding him COM
| pletely There he was questioned
closely s to the possibility Of his hav-
! ing brought money from Tampa to aid
the strike movement. which assertion
he denied with much Indignation.
cursing the committee roundly for
their impositions on a law-abiding
citizen. He was finally informed that
he would have to leave at once for
Miami or any other city than Tampa.
which he refused for a time 10 Go.
i I will have you TO understand" he
said. that am not only an American
citizen. but l am q Kentuckian. and
your threats TO the contrary. notwith-
standing. l am going TO stay in Key
West just as long as I desire TO. The
first man who touches me will be
launched into hell just as quick as
can send him there"
We Go not wish to DO you any bod
lily harm" one Of the committeeman
is understood 10 have said. but you
are going 70 leave the city. and you
iare going 10 Miami instead Of Tampa
For your sake 1 advise you not - 81
out OF that door without member oi
the committee. or persons on the out
side will kill YOU"
Well. I wouldn't BE- the first Ken
stood up for his rights" Is understood
% have been the reply Of the Ken
tuckian.
Finally. after considering the mat
Ter. tn gentleman decided u leave
: AMI announced that - would g Z,
? Tampa. Tn rerly was that he wcul.
not g - Tan-a. but that r. woul.