Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-28


quickly.
Nothing, my dear; nothing" he glib.
ly responded.
| Don Barnett, l know better. Tell
me this instant!'
| He was in for it. well, Mr.. Mac
kay, our superintendent, was tarred
and ridden on a rail by the miners this
morning.
! Gracious heavens!
land I'm getting off up the stage
road to meet him."
what did they do it for?"
"Oh, it's the same old business. The
men didn't like some regulation of his
ard struck, and-but it's long story; I
won't go into 1t now. I'll get back in
time for dinner, probably"
In an hour Millionaire row was hum
ming with news of the outrage. Re.
ports, confused, conflicting, flew along
the wires east and west, and the after
noon papers were filled with dramatic
details OF the opening of a big strike
In Skytown and the story of how the
union leaders had mishandled Mackay.
the superintendent of the Red Star
Mining corporation.
All this would have Interested Ann
Very little had not her brother been in
the midst of the disorder. She immedi-
ately wired him to come down and got
a reply from Raymond saying, Louis
is on the way-no danger" and the boy
himself came riding into the yard Mt
dusk
lsaymond's letter to Barnett took Sc
rions view Of the situation:
don't think Mackay the proper man to
attempt to reorganize the working hours
of this camp. Don't try to put him back,
and don't make too much of this lit
tie affair The whole camp is uneasy Mt
strong and likely to make II hot for in
dependents like Kelly and myself.
",'.',..i. i; it Ill a.ia;t:" :: ..e.i Jean
ncttc.
Don looked bored. "Oh, really now,
don't ask me 10 50 into the cause of n
strike. \ woman never understands
such situation. However, here is
what Rob says:
Macl.ay posted his notices Saturday
into effect Monday morning. Sunday the
camp boiled. The union put forth its de-
cree. and of course ut the morning hour
big crowd gathered to see Mackay face
his men. He came riding up (the jack
aSSJ In tan colo:ed English riding
brooches and little Two billed gray cap
you know the kind. OF course they hooted
him and headed his horse back down the
slope. He was red headed naturally, and,
being double distilled idiot, hired a
couple OF dcsperaGoes from Bozle as
guards and came back. This time the
boys jerked him and his Len from their
horses and hustled them down the canyon
ut the boot toe. i cid what l could to
prevent this. but the mon who had the
matter in charge had been drinking, and
the crowd was with them. My mon are
not In the union. but ] hear ominous
threats. l advise you not to attempt TO
put the new schedule into operation at
the present time.
The effect on the valley of Mackay's
recital of his maltreatment was most
wonderful. The principal mine owners
Of the Springs met to discuss their
campaign. The valley called for the
blood of those who had busted the sa-
cred person of their representative, and
the sheriff was ordered to arrest and
bring down the insolent red necks"
who had humbled the proud and con-
ident Red Star superintendent. "This
spirit of lawlessness must be checked
or it will run into riot" said Barnett,
who developed unexpectedly into
leader Of the mine owners by virtue of
his large interests in the Red Star
The sheriff valiantly responded to the
Gull and, with half dozen deputies.
marched up into the glittering mist of
the high peaks and came down again
empty handed and sullen.
a meeting of the officers of the Red
Star and allied companies was called,
Barnett presiding. Most resolute res
olutions We're passed. Mackay was in
structed to press his demands to the
full. Barnett naturally opposed con-
ference with the miners. EITHER they
come to our terms or we close down
the mines," he said. 1T is our cue to
be firm in this demand"
The sheriff, who lad been invited to
be present ana tell his tale. put i'll
warning word.
Gentlemen" said he, you're deal
ing with a lot of free miners and pros
pcctors-men who won't be driven and
can't be scared. If 1t had been lust
case of ignorant dugocs would have
brought 'em down, but they've got lead
crs that you can't monkey with When
Hob Smith, Denver Dan and that devil
Jack Munro net me with their holsters
tied down threw up my hands. You
are from the east, where things are
different. About one-thirI of the men
OH the peak are old prospectors and
free miners. and if they stay by the
proposition you've got to take Il sneak
or put up the fight of the age"
I'VE stand pat" said Barnett, "and
we shall insist on your arrest!ng the
men who assaulted Mr.. Mackay."
The sheriff made an elaborate bow.
Right you are, Mr.. Barnett. but I'll
want hundred deputies to do it with"
Moving with such secrecy as he
could, the sheriff collected and swore
i'll some ninety men, the bo!dcst and
hardest TO be found in all the towns
of the valley. They were not sedate
anu SouSileiutc ClliZeuS, Dul lilpy were
brave, or at least reckless, and without
exception experienced wcarers OF guns
They professed themselves quite able |
and willing to bring down anybody in
the hills. After being armed and pro-
visioned they We're to be sent round |
by way of IL railroad which was build. |
ing toward the camp from the south.
Barnett was heedful of his words at |
home and made light of the probable
opposition of the miners but Louis,
with boys ability to discern what |
was going on, soon acquired Il pretty |
clear idea Of the plan, and when Ann
asked him not to return to the heights
on Monday he was ominously calm,
but asserted his right to so where lie
pleased.
Rob wants me and needs me. and
Pm going. You can put me in Jail, but
that is the only way. If there is going
to be war, am going to be in ii, and
I'm going to be on the side of the
Ann wrote II swift and ferveut NOTE