Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-09-24

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thought him right. But question has
come up here, boys. that must be set.
tied once for all. This wreck-looting
on the mountain division is going to
stop-right here-at this particular
wreck. On that point there is no room
for discussion. Now, any man that
agrees with me on that matter may
step over here and I'll discuss with
him any other grievance. II what say
about looting is a grievance, it>can't
be discussed. Is there any man that
wants to come over?" No man
stirred.
Sinclair, you've got good men,
continued McCloud, unmoved. "You
are leading them into pretty deep wa
ter. There's chance yet for you tC
get them out Of serious trouble II you
think as much Of them as they do Of
you. viii you advise them to &C
back TO work-all except Karg?"
Sinclair glared in high humor. "0h
couldn't do that! I'm discharged
he protested, bowling low.
Il don't want to be overhasty," re
turned McCloud. This is a serious
business, as you know better thar
they do, and there will never be at
good a time to fix it up as now
There is chance for you, l say, Sin
clair, to take hold if you want tc
now"
why, I'll take hold IL you'll take
your nose out Of my business and
agree to keep it out"
Us there any man here that wants
to 60 back to work for the company
continued McCloud, evenly. 1t was
one man against 30; McCloud saw
there was not the shadow of a chance
to win the strikers over. This lets
all of you out, you understand, boys
he added; land you can never work
again for the company on this division
if you don't take hold now"
Boys" exclaimed Sinclair, better
humored every moment, "I1l guaran.
tee you work on this division when all
the fresh superintendent are run out
of the country, and I'll lay this matter
before Bucks himself, and don't you
forget IT,"
you will have a chilly job Of 1t"
interposed McCloud.
$50 will you, my hearty, before you
get trains running past here" re-
torted the wrecking boss. Come on
boys"
The disaffected men drew of. The
emptied wagon, its load scattered on
the ground, stood deserted on the hill
side, and the males dropped in the
heat. Bill Dancing, a giant and q
dangerous one, stood lone guard over
the loot, and Young had been called
over by McCloud. How many men
have you got with you, Reed?"
Eleven"
How long will it take them to clean
up this mess with what help we can
run in this afternoon?"
Young studied the prospect before
replying. They're green at this sort
of thing. Of course; they might be
fussing here till tomorrow noon, I'm
afraid; perhaps till tomorrow night,
Mr.. McCloud."
THAT won't do" The two men
stood for a moment in study. "The
merchandise is all unloaded, isn't it?"
said McCloud, reAectively. Get your
men here and bring water bucket
with you"
McCloud walked down to the en-
CINE Of the wrecking train and gave
orders to the train and engine crews.
The best of the refrigerator cars had
been rerailed, and they were pulled to
safe distance from the wreck. Young
brought the bucket, and McCloud
pointed to the casl:ful Of brandy.
Throw that brandy over the wreck.
age, Reed"
The roadmaster started. Burn the
whole thing up, eh?"
Everything on the track"
Bully! It's a shame to waste the
liquor, but it's Sinclair's fault. Here,
boys, scatter this stuff where 1t will
catch good, and touch her OF. Every
thing goes-the whole pile. Burn up
everything; that's orders. II you can
get few rails here, now, I'll give you
a track by shutdown, Mr.. McCloud, In
spite Of Sinclair and the devil"
The remains Of many cars lay In
heaps along the curve, and the track.
men like firebugs ran In and out Of
them. A tongue Of fame leaped from
the middle Of a pile Of stock cars. In
five minutes the wreck was burning;
in ten minutes the flames were crack
ling fiercely; then in another instant
the wreck burst into a con6agration
that rose Kissing and seething a hun.
dred feet straight up In the air.
From where they stood, Sinclair's
men looked on. They were nom
plused, but their boss had not lost HIS
nerve. He walked back to McCloud.
You're going to send Us back to
Medicine Bend with the car, sup
pose?"
McCloud spoke amiably. Not on
your life. Take your personal stun.
out Of the car and tell your men to
take theirs; then get on the train and
OF the right Of way"
Going to turn US loose on Red
desert. are you?" asked Sinclair,