The Elbert County tribune., 1910-05-13

mcDonald was summoned there again, this time
investigate strike ON the Forth Worth and n
ver railroad Things in bad shape at
Faiis Trains were not allowed to run. enyi
were not permitted 20 move Riot and Hoods,
were imminent.
captain Bill went up to Wichita Falls alone =
learning where the main body of the strikers v
assembled, went over there. They had gathered
man, and were holding a secret meeting when
arrived. Captain Bill knocked on the door
doorkeeper came but refused admission
am Captain Mcdonald of the Rangers s
Mcdonald quietly, land I'm here to talk to Won n
ana see what the trouble is. You're all here NJ
and think I'll talk to you together"
The doorkeeper went away and reported
presently returned
Where are your Rangers?" he asked
Il didn't bring any. don't need any Rangers
help me talk. I'm pretty good at that sin,
handed" 'iit
There was another consultation inside. and
noof spened. Captain Bill went in with a frien
greeting for everybody, given in his genial nat,
way. Then he got up where he could see his ar
ence. NO at
Boys" ne said In his slow friendly va,
understand youall are acting mighty sorry n
"ere' interfering with business and making ont I
you re going to tear up things generally Now. ,
Know me, and you know that l don't want n
dhing tnat amt right, and IL a man behaves h
self I'll try to get him what's right. If can
suppose you think you have grievance and
perhaps you have, but you'll never get II set
tied this way. and it's my business. as vou.au
know, not to have this sort of work going on
You have perfect right to quit work but Won
haven't any right to keep other men from
working, or to fnjure peoples business or to
break up property. Nothing good can come out
oil such doings. l didn't bring any of nv men
along, because didn't believe I'd need ,em
ana don't think SO now; but OF course If this
thing goes on, I'll have to bring EN- and then
IL VIII 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 you'll go
back to work and tell him your troubles after
ward. Now. boys, that's all I've got to saw and
j 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. 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 over.
From Wichita Falls. Mcdonald went over to
Fort Worth where there was similar trouble
but learned that more serious situation ex-
listed at the Thurber coal mnes In Erath coun-
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
fdent 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 a gang like
ours, alone"
We'll, colonel. I'm using my men in other
places. I'll look around a little and do what
can anyway"
Lettering about the town. he discovered that
a number of kegs of beer were going out to
hfextr haxrN I&I-
of the striking miners. He learned that there
was to be a sort of mass meeting there that
night. when the leaders and chief agitators
would be on hand. He decided to be present
1t was well after dark when he set out. and
a good crowd had assembled when he reached
the place.
1t nearly IL o'clock and a speaker had
come to the conclusion that the crowd was in
the proper condition to take some good radical
advice-advice 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 were 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
were to do to "Old Hunter" and 1t was clear
from the faces and the mutterings of the lis
teners that they ready to do these things
Captain Bill worked his way through the
crowd until he 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 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 a sorry
lot of damned scoundrels. 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