The new era., 1910-05-19

Not long after the bank murder at Wichita Fa
and the capture Of Lewis and Crawford Capt.
Mcdonald was summoned there again, this time
investigate strike on the Forth Worth and d
ver railroad Things were In bad shape at
Falls Trains were not allowed to run; engil
were not permitted to move Riot and bloodst
were imminent
Captain Bill went up to Wichita Falls alone, a
learning where the main body Of the strikers "
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" 81
mcdonald quietly. "and I'm here to talk to you m
and see what the trouble is. You're all here NJ
and think I'll talk to you together"
The doorkeeper went away and reported. q
presently returned.
Where are your Rangers?" he asked
Il didn't bring any. don't need any Rangers
heip me talk. I'm pretty good at that, sing
handed"
There was another consultation inside. and I
door opened. Captain Bill went in with frten,
greeting for everybody given in his genial natu
way Then he got up where he could see his au
ence.
Boys" he said, in his slow, friendly way
understand you-all are acting mighty sorry O,
here. interfering with business and making ont n
you're going to tear up things generally Now. y
know me- and you know that don't want a,
thing that amt right, and II man behaves hi
self TIL try to get him what's right. If 1 can.
suppose you think you have a grievance and
perhaps you have, but you'll never get 1t set.
tied this way. and it's my business, as you.all
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. or to fnjure peoples business, or to
oreak 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 30 now; but of course II this
thing goes on. I'll have to bring 'em and then
1t will be too late to talk all friendly here to-
gether as we're talking now.
'Tm well acquainted with President Good of
this road. and know you can't get anything
this way: and II you take my advice you'll 60
back to work and tell him your troubles after
ward Now. boys. that's all I've got to say, and
reckon II you listen to It you'll come out
GOOD teal better than II 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 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 was 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 mines, 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
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"
We'll. 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
number Of kegs OF beer were going out to
a high hill, beyond the outskirts-headquarter
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 was well after dark when he set out and
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
advice-advice which might be followed by
prompt action-and he proceeded to give 1t.
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 ofnce. 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 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 are
xslling you to do these things are just sorry
lok Of damned scoundrels. and I'm going to put
khsm where they belong, and where they're
kryfng to get you. I'm captain OF Company B,
Ranger service. and I'm here alone but ri
have my men here. Il need them, and I'll
hang Just such fellows q this man"