Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-03


trouble may blow over. 1 am going
up by and by and will report on what
is brewing in the saloons They are the
storm centers. I'm sorry Don started
to come in, and 1 hope he will go quiet
ly back and forget the whole incident >
Tell me about the camp. What Is
the trouble all about? 1 can't under
stand" she said.
Its quite simple" replied Raymond.
The county is about equally divided
now between the miners of the peak
and the citizens of the plain. The
peaks interests are not those of the
Springs, and 1t has resented for a year
the domination of the Springs. The
owners of the mines are either resi-
dents of the plain or of the east and
violently opposed to the politics Of the
camp Barnett's man, Mackay, at
tempted to reorganize the working
hours of the camp and failed. You
know Of the mishandling he received"
What are they going to do nOw?"
| Il don't know AS the case stands,
the camp is hot against any invasion
by the sheriff and "a mob of hirelings,'
| as they call his deputies, and his at
tempt to Oyerawe the camp only Great
ed more furious resistance. 1 will be
able to tell better what the outcome
| will be when 1 learn what the union
has decided to do. Thus far it has been
game of bluff on the part OF a dozen
mss who are not strictly miners at all,
and the question of wages has had lit
tie attention 1 am going up now to
see what is going on
AS Raymond entered the street the
peace and beauty of the Kelly home
and the vision of the two women bent
peacefully above their sewing stood
away in radiant contrast above the
reeking' saloons, the reckless crowds
and the rows of drink inflamed men
lounging along each bar.
The lovers senses sharpened by
AIMS presence in the camp. detected
a more sinister change in the temper
of the men. Up to this time all that
had taken place had been tocular, at
least on the surface, but the sheriff's
threatened invasion with hundred
hired thugs stirred the red fires of
wrath in men like Hanley, Brock and
CollIngwood, who had hitherto been
but onlookers, and they were now the
melting centers of men talking loudly
and with undisguised fury.
Hanley. perceiving Raymond at the
door. approached TO say: Zone of Mum
ro's vedettes intercepted that kid of
yours last night and got word that Don
Barnett was on his way up here. You
better warn him off,
Raymond resented his tone, but cold
" replied: The boy was mistaken.
Barnett turned back at Grand View"
Some one plucked him by the arm,
and, following his guide, Raymond en-
tered the room used as the office of the
union, where he found Carter, the
president, and Larned, the organizer,
In the midst of a hot argument with
Munro. Smith and a group of others of
their sort. Larned was shaking with
excitement and rage, and Carter, the |
little president. looked white and |
scared.
Munro, with Il grin, said: Come in, |
Rob. This is n council of war;
Raymond entered calmly, his head a |
little bent, his keen eyes studying ey-
cry face. whats it all about:'
Harmed explained. his hands CULVER
ing. the veins on his forehead bullying. |
his eyes restless and fevered. IF they |
do it, he said, Il leave-I get out. I
will not countenance lawlessness of
this sort I'm not fool. 1 know what
the effect will be. If they turn back
this posse the state militia will be
called out came to organize union
to meet the coming question of labor
and capital. / did not come here to
form mobs. refuse to sanction it. I
viii not have n thing to do with it. If
you make this raid L leave the camp"
Raymond spoke. I'm not involved
In the present disagreement, so that
my advice is disinterested, but as
you've ridden up and asked me l give
it as my opinion that Larned Is right.
You can stand off a sheriff once or
twice, and you might even stand off a
of militia. but you can't stand
off the United States army, and that's
what you'll run up against in the end.
Jack, you ought to have sense enough
TO keep out of this
Munro smiled. I'm only the mill
AIRY arm of government. I'm not max
ng laws; 1 execute them
why not call meeting and put it
20 vOtef" asked Smith.
II know why" replied Brock. Lar I
ned is afraid it will carry"
Larned leaped to his feet. 81 admit 6
{! / don't want the word to go out I
hat this raid has been voted on by the I
lnion. With the camp boiling with ex- 6
element, 1t might carry. Outsiders 7
must be taught the difference between '
he action of the mob and the will of /,
he organization"
Smith was brutally plain. at isn't r
-our say. You're only an outsider !
It's Carriers place to call the !
meeting and discuss what we are to do S
\ half dozen of us have laid ourselves I
liable by doing duty for the union.
Vow, the question is whether the union !
s going to stand by us or sneak and
cave us to eat dirt in valley Jail" Z
You had no sanction from the I'M i
on G
Il know we didn't-no official sane