River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-05-12


far and to put down disturbanc
and to check agitation.
Not long after the bank murder at Wichita Fall
and the capture of Lewis and Crawford, Capt b
Mcdonald summoned there again. this time
investigate strike the Forth Worth and De
yer railroad Things were in bad shape at Il
Falls. Trains were not allowed to rum engin
were not permitted to move. Riot and bloodshc
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 a secret meeting when
arrived. Captain Bill knocked on the door
doorkeeper came but refused admission.
81 am Captain Mcdonald of the Rangers" sa
Mcdonald quietly, "and I'm here to talk to you me
and see what the trouble is. You're all here no
and 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. don't need any Rangers
help me talk. I'm pretty good at that, singl
handed"
There another consultation inside and Il
door opened. Captain Bill went in with a friend
greeting for everybody, given in his genial natur
way. Then he got up where he could see his aut
ence.
Boys" he said, in his Slow friendly way.
understand youall are acting mighty sorry ov
here interfering with business and making out iii
you're going to tear up things generally. Now VI
know me, and you know that don't want an
thing that amt right, and if man behaves hir
self I'll try to get him what's right if 1 can
suppose you think you have 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
You have perfect right to quit work but you
haven't any right to keep other men from
working, or to injure peoples business, to
break up property. Nothing good can come out
Of such doings. didn't bring any of my men
along, because I 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
1t 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 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
good deal better than if you listen to one or
two men that for some reason of their own are
trying to stir up a 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 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 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.
have hro11 obt 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
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 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
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
advice-advce 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 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 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 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 1 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