Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-09-07
CHAPTER XII.

" L
was nothing unusual in the
words Of this announcement, but Jean
nette's keen ear detected restrained
excitement in his calm drawl.
What's the matter7" she asked
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 rail by the miners this
morning.
Gracious heavensv,
land Pm 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
and struck, and-but it's long story; /
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 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
reply from Raymond saying, Louis
is on the way-no danger" and the boy
himself came riding into the yard at
dusk.
Raymond's latter to Barnett took Sc
rious 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 at
this time. The union 10 getting very
strong and likely to make 1t hot for In
dependents like Kelly and myself
what is it all about" asked Jean
nette.
Don looked bored. "Oh, really now,
don't ask me to go into the cause of a
strike. A woman never understands
such situation. However, here is
what Rob says:
Mackay posted his notices Saturday
night putting the new nine hour schedule
Into effect Monday morning. Sunday the
camp boiled. The union put forth its de-
cree. and OF course at the morning hour
q big crowd gathered to see Mackay face
his men. He came riding up (the jack
cssD In tan colored English riding
breeches 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 desperadoes from Bozle as
guards and came back. This time the
boys jerked him and his men from their
horses and hustled them down the canyon
at the boot toe. I did what could to
prevent this, but the men who had the
matter in charge had been drinking, and
the crowd was with them. My men are
not In the union. but hear ominous
threats. I advise you not to attempt to
put the new schedule into operation at
tho present time.
The effect on the valley of Mackays
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-
fdent Red Star superintendent. 'This
spirit of lawlessness must be checked
or 1t will run into riot" said Barnett
who developed Unexpectedly into q
leader Of the mine owr ers by virtue Of
his large interests in the Red Star.
The sheriff valiantly responded to the
call 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
buttons were passed. Mackay was in
structed to press his demands to the
full. Barnett naturally opposed con-
ference with the miners. Either they
N0N1O " V0A SCAlAO VI We SlOSc 0ONl
the mines," he said. SIT is our cue to
be arm in this demand"
The sheriff, who had been invited to
be present and tell his tale, put in n
warning word.
Gentlemen" said he, you're deal
ing with lot of free miners and pros
pectors-men who won't be driven and
can't be scared. II it had been Just a
case Of ignorant dagoes would have
brought 'em down, but they've got lead
ers that you can't monkey with. When
Hob Smith, Denver Dan and that devil
Jack Munro met me with their holsters
tied down threw up my hands. You
are from the east, where things are
different. About one-third Of the men
on the peak are old prospectors and
free miners, and II they stay by the
proposition you've got to take sneak
or put up the fight of the age"
I'VE stand pat" said Barnett, "and
we shall Insist on your arresting the
men who assaulted Mr.. Mackay."
The sheriff made an elaborate bow.
Fright 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
In some ninety men, the boldest and
hardest to be found in all the towns
Of the valley. They were not sedate
and considerate citizens, but they were
brave. or at least reckless. and without
exception experienced wearers of guns
They protested themselves quite able
and willing to bring down anybody in
the hills. After being armed and pro-
visioned they were to be sent round