St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1906-12-29
''SCAB' FIREMAN
TASTES UNlONlsA.
Taken from His Engine In 0peIoasas and
Given 10 Understand that
the FIREMEA's STRIKE MAS ON.
Christmas Freight Train Taken 10 lafayette
Under Police Protection $3.50
Reward offered.

keWaFd UIIefea
Shortly after the freight train, on
its return trip to Lafayette, pulled
into the Opelousas station Christmas
night, two masked men boarded the
engine and forcibly elected the fire
man, Gautreaux by name, and con-
Quoted him a short distance up the
railroad track, when he was struck
over the head with shotgun and
told to 0skidoo7 and not be again
caught firing an engine during the
strike.
It is stated that there were several
other men short distance from the
locomotive, when the outrage was
committed, evidently there to render
the two masked men assistance il
needed.
The affair occurred within stone
throw from the depot, right in the
city. at $50 o'clock, and the officers
were not notified of the occurrence
"a s
until 8 o'clock. The train crew
seemed Indifferent, and the officers
obtained very little help from them.
The parish hounds were brought to
the scene, but would only run around
the cars. It was not known then
what had become Of the fireman, and
efforts were directed in seeking Tor
him, it being uncertain as to whether
Of not he had been foully dealt with,
He arrived in Lafayette at IL o'clock
the next day "wednesday on . farm
er's wagon.
Deputy Sheriff Carlton N. Ogden
and Police Officer Harry G. Williams
boarded the engine and went to Lafa-
yette with It, acting in the capacity
Of firemen as we'll as guardians. The
former job, however, we are told they
did not stick to long, Williams pick
ing out the easier one of ringing the
bell, and the engineer had to doa
double duty run his engine and fire
lit. AT Carenero station another
mob was found, which acted menac-;
| ingly but evidently came to the con-
clusion that ii would not be healthy
| for them to attempt anything violent
with the impressed firemen.
Gautreaux, the fireman taken oft
of the engine, is not q regular fre-
man, but laborer IN the roundhouse
at Lafayette, who was pressed into
service on account of the strike.
officers Williams and Ogden re-
turned to 0peIousas on the passenger
Wednesday, having come as far as
Carencro on the freight engine. Mr.
| Ogden, at the request Of the railrasa
authorities at Lafayette, again board
Fed the freight engine to Alexandra
when the train arrived at 0pelousas
Wednesday evening, and accompanied
Lie on its trip TO Alexandria and back.
Sheriff Swords Wednesday evening
received telegram from General
Manager Thornwell Fay, Of the South
i ern Pacific, thanking the officer fol
his prompt action, and assuring hin
that In few days more traffic would
be carried on without any interrup-
j tion. MI. Fay in his telegram char,
J acterizes the strike as unjustifed ant
ill-advised, in which the railroad com
pany and the public are innocent sui.
) ferers, ID that the strike Is not ths
result of any grievance against ths
railroad On the part Of the firemen
J but q difference between the engineer
] and firemen. The Sheriff Is authorized
j to offer . reward of $3.50 for the ap
{ prehension Of the culprits in Tues.
days holdup Of the freight at 0pelou
|, sas.
j Sheriff Swords is determined tha
. no acts Of violence will take place j
the parish Of st. Landry, if it is i
o his power to prevent It. The actiol
eIof Wednesday night Is uniyersal'
and unqualifedly condemned here,