Strike bulletin. (Clinton, Ill.) 1913-1915, 1914-03-31
tie Story of Persecution Of Carl Perst

recall that the paper had TO be put
To press. ,,.
Jimmy. get the paper out; Jimmy.
he would beg, don't let II miss an
edition. Think Of the men up and
down the line. They re- waiting for 1t
Don't mind me. Jimmy. get the Bull.
lptin out Tell EN- the Bulletin II still
with EN-. Tell EN- we'll win yet.
Tell EN- III b. all right. Jimmy-tell
| '.m-get the paper out-dont forget
the editorial-see TO the mailing
Jimmy"
Meaoher Continues Fight.
Rig Jimmy Meagher. acting seere-
tary OF til. Illinois Central Federation
and Persons co-worker IN publishing
the Bulletin, would turn his face away
from the young editor "Jimmys
ewes grow big and wet and his lips
would take on the appearance OF "A
straight hard line. The big fellow
would blow his nose like . trumpet
cleuch his fists and walk w and down
the cell.
In the next edition. up and down the
| length of the Illinois Central and Har-
rimsn lines, the Bulletin went out
again on its mission OF truth. Every.
where one dropped II ripped hole In
tho second blanket that had been
thrown over the county jail al Clinton
and the Incidents surrounding Tony
Mussers fatal attempt to kill Person
and once and for all stop the publica-
ton OF the paper that Was costing the
railroad millions OF dollars.
Persons Work Goes On.
The bulletin has been published
every week since. II hasn't missed
an edition. The delirious pleadings OF
the little yellow haired editor have
been obeyed. Big Jimmy Meagher's
mouth 10 eth . teuse straight line.
That straight line means business
with . capital b"
Attorney Comerford IL with him.
That tall. thin. why. watchful man
up IN Chicago has his eye on every
move that Is being made. His law
practice has been slde-tracked for the
time. and his court cases have been
continued. Nothing WAS placed above
his interest In the defense OF Carl
Person, the life of the Strike Bulletin
and the cause OF the g., 900 locked-oui
union men along the Illinois Central
and Hartman lines
Comerford brought Investigators 10
Clinton. He sent his men out round
ing up the witnesses. gathering aft
davi's. A big Influence opposed every
move. No step Mas gained without a
tight. Photographs We're taken of the
l -
and then sentiment vas sounded
throughout Dewitt county
|. c. Controls Dewitt County.
Comerford found out that Dr. Ed
mnndson. the mayor OF Clinton, 10 q
laid employe OF the Illinois Central
lie is one OF their surgeons He found
out that the law firm OF Lemon 4
Lemon. attorneys for the Illinois Cen
trail, 10 a political power In tho county
He found out that the sheriffs son Il
a railroad strikebreakcr. He discoy
cred that $4,000 OF the Illinois Cen
trais money was pouring into Clinton
every month In the form OF a pay roll
This money Is depended upon by ever,
storekeeper and business man In tho
county, He found out that 2,00o en-
; ployes OF the road are citizens OF the
town.
strong Prejudice Against Person.
Carl Person cannot expect to gei
fair trial IN Dewitt county, say.
Mr. COmerford,' II he is tried her.
he Is doomed. Dewitt county Is pre-
iudiced and Influenced In favor of tn,
railroad from one corner of II To tn,
other. The Illinois Central dominate,
the politics. business. agricultural In
terests and industry OF the whole coun
ty.
The Illinois Central has been farm
ing the farmers just the same as 4
hal been working the workers. but tn.
farmers don't understand the indus
trial situation. They are comparative
|, Is Independent Of sase conditions o
which they are not aware Many o
them consider union men as agltator,
or anarchists. They do not understand
Change Of Venue Necessary.
When the men were locked out tn.
farmers sons and non.union working
: men. comprising the rest OF the popu
lation at Clinton and In Dewitt coun
! II, were called In to take their places
{. When these men began getting IN,
: wages that formerly went To the nnlai
J men. the business men OF tho count,
q suddenly changed their patronage all,
| took up the side Of the railroad.
In the midst OF this seething mas
0 OF prejudice against Carl Person an,
:. organized labor. they want To try Car
o Person and hang him. We are flxh,
. ing for . change Of venue SO that "
{ leaa take the tsial 10 some other con,
olty Whore Perm CA - ,rt.d 49,.
Twelve men weess n,nSs a. ~ S !.
.sssAy .sAs ~ " Asas hin.