The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1910-05-14

4
of the Ranger service, and as tn
INHQ|ll|N Panhandle became more ractabIe-
Nh(NIl more rangebroken, as one ma!
URsl1Nkyl say-Capt Bill Mcdonald and MI
3RllIl!UlVJ little force were summoned to points
far and near to put down disturbance
and to check agitation.
Not long after the bank murder at Wichita Falls
and the capture of Lewis and Crawford, Capt. Ell
Mcdonald was summoned there again, this time &c
Investigate a strike the Forth Worth and Den
yer railroad. Things were in bad shape at the
Falls. Trains were not allowed to run; engines
were not permitted to move. Riot and bloodshed
imminent.
Captain Bill went up to Wichita Falls alone and
learning where the main body of the strikers was
assembled went over there They had gathered in
hall, and were holding secret meeting when he
arrived. Captain Bill knocked on the door
doorkeeper came but refused admission.
Il am Captain Mcdonald of the Rangers" sale
Mcdonald quietly, and Pm here to talk to you mel
and see what the trouble is You're all here now
and think I'll talk to you together"
The doorkeeper went away and reported, anC
presently returned.
Where are your Rangers" he asked
Il didn't bring any. ! don't need any Rangers tc
help me talk I'm pretty good at that single
handed"
There was another consultation inside. and the
door opened. Captain Bill went in with a friendly
greeting for everybody, given in his genial natura
way Then he got up whore he could see his audi
ence.
Boys" he said in his slow, friendly way I"
understand youall acting mighty sorry ove
here, interfering with business and making out Xix,
you're going to tear up things generally Now, yot
know me, and you know that | don't want any
thing that amt right and if a man behaves him
self I'll 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 youall
know not to have this sort of work going on.
You have perfect right to quit work but you
haven't any right to keep other men from
working to injure peoples business, or to
break up property. Nothing good can come out
of such doings. didn't bring any of my men
along because | didn't believe I'd need 'em,
and don't think now; but of course If this {
thing goes on III have to bring 'em, and then
It Will be too late to talk all friendly here to-
gether as we're talking now.
I'm well acquainted with President Good of
this road and | know you can't get anything
this way; and If you take my advice youll go
back to work and tell him your troubles after
ward. Now, boys, that's all I've got to say and
I reckon If you listen to it youll come out a
iood 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, like rs not"
Captain Bill went down on the street and
the crowd soon followed good many came
to him and expressed willingness to go to
work Here and there he talked to a 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 similar trouble,
but learned that more serious situation cX-
listed at the Thurbor coal mines, in Erath coup.
ty. The Ranger captain was 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
idcnt OF the mines, looked at Captain Bill
bent over from his wounds and battered up
from Hines and cXposure-and shook his head
you should have brought your men" he
said You can't do anything with a 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
n nuWbcr of KEGS of beer were going out to
high HILL beyond the Observation-Disclosures
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
II was we'll after dark when he set out and
good crowd had assembled when he reached
the place.
1t was nearly II o'clock, and a speaker had
come to the conclusion that the crowd was in
the proper condition TO take some good radical
Authoritative which might be followed by
prompt aCtion-and he proceeded to give II.
He told ,hem how they had been misrcated
and what they should do. They were to begin
by blowing up the mines and the supornten-
dents Office and he told them which mine to
blow up first. Then he told them what they
were to do to odd Hunter and II 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 can quit work but you can't kill
people and destroy property, not In this state.
These walking delegates and leaders that
telling you to do these things are just sorry
lot of damned scoundrels and I'm going to put
them where they belong. and whore they're
irving TO get you. I'm captain OF Company b.
Danger service and I'm here alone but I'll