Gilpin observer., 1908-04-23
eeIdIIsId, Nevada, Labor Troubles.

Central City boy:
Under Sheriff Bart Knight was tire
commanding figure about 10 O o'clock Sat-
urday night in the first ruction of de-
cided and threatening character that has
occurred down town since the last chap |
ter of Goldfield's labor troubles was
opened. The doughty officer entered
the Northern saloon and, forcing his
way through crowd that packed the
place and extended well into the street,
took charge of blacksmith giving the
name of Frederickson, who had taken
refuge in the saloon Office because of
the threatening attitude of number of
strike sympathizers.
The man, who was being denominated
as "scab" because he has been work.
ing of late on Combination property,
asked for protection and an escort and
Knight promptly agreed to see him
home and in safety. The big under
sheriff left the office with his charge
and through the bowling crowd he clear
ed way to the street. Around the
corner and up Crook street he marched
with mob of 400 or 500 following.
When Columbia avenue was reached
several of the followers, among whom
was man named johnson, pressed
closely on Knights heels, uttering
threats at the same time. The under
sheriff promptly turned the blacksmith
over to Mike Call, deputy, and wheel
ing about faced the great throng. john
son, at the moment, had pressed up
closely and in an instant Knight had
him by the neck, shaking him severely.
Throwing johnson aside, the officer
placed his hand on his gun and cried out
to those who seemed bent on reaching
on their part would be met with lead.
Not man of the crowd dared move in
the face of the admonition and in the
; meantime Call had taken Frederickson
to the latter's home. The crowd soon
scattered and the affair, which for a
time held serious aspect, was conclud-
, ed. Knights cool-headedness and de-
: termination won for him much favorable
, comment. The trouble was started in
the Northern saloon when the black
smith was accused by strike sympa
| thizer of having been Cripple Creek
: deporting deputy. Blows followed and
the Combination mine worker was
forced to seek safety in the saloon Of
fee.
Later, at 10 O'Clock the same night,
the presence of non-union man in one
: of the down town saloons started fight
which was followed by street riot.
The man was rescued from bowling
mob of union men by Bart Knight, who
started for the court house with him.
The mob followed and attempted to take
him from the officers. That they failed
to accomplish their purpose was due to
the pluck and courage of Knight, who
sent his man ahead with a deputy and
stood off the entire crowd of 400 angry
men.
Bart Knight deserves unusual COM
mendation for the faithful discharge of
: his duties as peace officer under most
trying conditions, not alone for his per-
sonal bravery, but for the moral courage
of the man. In the industrial troubles
: with which Goldfeld has been afflicted
it has been understood, and has been the
boast of the Western Federation of
Miners, that the sheriff S Office was with
the men, and would interpose no in
superable opposition to the will of that
organization. Bart Knight doffed his
digging clothes to take the position he
occupies, and grave fears were felt as
to the outcome. While not denying that
he believed in and sympathized with the
Federation, Mr.. Knight has repeatedly
declared that he would play no favorites
| in the discharge of his official duties. At
the first crucial test he has proven the
: truth of that assertion. The physical
bravery of the officer has never been
, questioned-also he has shown fore
/ bearance to remarkable extent. The
Chronicle is glad to be convinced that
: he also possesses the moral courage to
} do his duty without fear or favor. There
is one thing more that will be expected
of him-the arrest of at least one man
, in the crowd, the man who resisted him
in the discharge of his duty.
Easter was observed in all the church.
es Sunday with appropriate musical
programs. At the Catholic church, the