The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-05-20

6NvlA Will AAAO1C 1duScDTOheu, as one LIZ
R|aEA(|1NRN say say-capt Bill Mcdonald and h
lRa0g8lliO little force were summoned to poin
far and near to put down disturban
and to check agitation.
Not long after the bank murder at Wichita Fall
and the capture of Lewis and Crawford, Capt. B
Mcdonald was summoned there again, this time
investigate strike on the Forth Worth and De
yer railroad. Things were in bad shape at Il
Falls. Trains were not allowed to run; engin
were not permitted to move. Riot and bloodsh
were imminent
Captain Bill went up to Wichita Falls alone, al
learning where the main body OF the strikers W.
assembled went over there. They had gathered
hall, and were holding secret meeting when
arrived. Captain Bill knocked on the door,
doorkeeper came but refused admission
Il am Captain Mcdonald of the Rangers" sa
Mcdonald quietly, "and I'm here to talk to you m
and see what the trouble is. You're all here no
and I think I'll talk to you together"
The doorkeeper went away and reported, al
presently returned.
Where are your Rangers?' he asked
II didn't bring any. I don't need any Rangers
nelp me talk I'm pretty good at that; sing
handed"
There was another consultation inside. and Il
door opened Captain Bill went in with friend
greeting for everybody, given in his genial natur
way. Then he got up where he could see his an
ence.
Boys he said, in his slow, friendly way.
understand you-all are acting mighty sorry ov
here, interfering with business and making out II
you're going to tear up things generally Now, y
know me- and you know that 1 don't want ar
thing that amt right, and if man behaves hi
self Ill try to get him what's right, If can
suppose you think you have a grievance and
perhaps you have, but you'll never get it set.
tied this way, and it's my business as you-all
know, not to have this sort of work going on
I'm how nwf0 VT
haven't any right to keep other men from
working, or to injure peoples business or to
break up property. Nothing good can come out
OF such dongs. I didn't bring any of my men
along, because l didn't believe I'd need 'em.
and don't think so now but of course if this
thing goes on, I'll have to bring em, and then
it will be too late to talk all friendly here to-
gether as we're talking now
'Tm we'll acquainted with President Good Of
| this road, and I know you can't get anything
this way; and if you take my advice you'll go
back to work and tell him your troubles after
ward Now, boys, that's all I've got to say, and
reckon If you listen to it you'll come out a
good deal better than if you listen to one or
TWO men that for some reason of their own are
| trying to stir up lot of trouble, and will be
| in jail before night, as like as not"
| Captain Bill went down on the street. and
the crowd soon followed. A good many came
| to him and expressed willingness to go to
work. Here and there he talked to little
group In his friendly earnest way. The strike
at Wichita Falls was over
From Wichita Falls, Mcdonald went over to
| Fort Worth where there was similar trouble,
/ but learned that a more serious situation ex-
listed at the Thurber coal mines, in Erath coun-
ty. The Ranger captain urged to take his
men to Thurber, but decided to go alone.
Arriving at Thurber, he hunted up the mine
officials for consultation. Colonel Hunter pres
ident of the mines, looked at Captain Bill
bent over from his wounds and battered up
from Hines and exposure-and shook his head
you should have brought your men," he
said. "You can't do anything with gang like
ours, alone"
well, colonel I'm using my men in other
places. I'll look around little and do what
can, anyway"
Lettering about the town. he discovered that
a number of kegs of beer were going out to
a high hill, beyond the outskirts HEADQUARTERS
of the striking miners. He learned that there
was to be sort Of mass meeting there that
night when the leaders and chief agitators
would be on hand. He decided to be present
1t we'll after dark when he set out, and
a good crowd had assembled when he reached
the place.
1t was nearly II o'clock, and speaker had
come to the conclusion that the crowd was in
the proper condition to take some good radical
adVlce-adVlce which might be followed by
prompt action-and he proceeded to give it.
He told them how they had been mistreated
and what they should do. They we're to begin
| by blowing up the mines and the superinten-
dents Office, and he told them which mine to
blow up first Then he told them what they
we're to do to "Old Hunter" and it was clear
from the faces and the mutterings of the lis
teners that they were ready to do these things.
Captain Bill worked his way through the
| crowd until he was close to the speakers log
| When the agitatOr reached what seemed good
| stopping place, the Ranger captain suddenly
stepped up beside him. The speaker stopped
dead still in his surprise. 1t was Captain Bills
| turn
Men," he said, this rascal that has been
talking to you is an enemy to you and to the
country. He's trying to get you to commit MUIR
der, and to get you sent to the penitentiary,
or hung. You quit work. but you can't kill
people and destroy property, not in this state
! These walking delegates and leaders that are
telling you to do these things are just sorry
lot of damned scoundres, and I'm going to put
them where they belong, and where they're
trying to get you. I'm captain of Company B,
Ranger service, and I'm here alone but I'll
have my men here, if need them, and I'll
hang just such fellows as this man"
Captain Bill turned to indicate his selected
victim, but he was no longer there He had
melted into the crowd, and was seen no more
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES