Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-01-18
ONE STRIKER DEAD;
OTHERS FLEE TOWN
AS V|G|LANTES ACT
Armed Citizens Patrol Streets
in Harrison, Ark,-GoV-
ernor May Send State
Troops

OOPO
LITTLE ROCK, Jan. 17.-Ope rail
road striker hanged, armed citizens
patrolling the streets in search OF
other strikers, a general exodus of
former railroad employees who went
on strike two years ago, the mayor
and city council ordered to resign
and the town marshal ordered to
leave town, was the situation at Har-
rison, Ark, Tuesday.
The trouble at Harrison was the
result of burning Of bridges, destruc-
ton of machinery and other depre'
dations along the Missouri and
North Arkansas railway. Some OF
the crimes date back to nearly two
years ago when the strike on the
road began. Three bridges burned
last week brought matters to a point
where officials Of the road virtually
decided upon the abandonment Of the
road.
The threatened abandonment
aroused the citizens along the road
and they came to Harrison armed,
with the evident determination of
bringing to an end the depredations
along the road.
Capitalist Whipped
The intenseness Of the feeling OF
the citizens is indicated by the pub
lie whipping Of Harrison capitalist
and hotel owner, who is reported as
having been punished by citizens for
having signed the bond of A. P.
Stephens, a former railroad man,
who was under arrest in connection
with a charge of bridge burning.
E. c. Gregor, the man who was
lynched, was said to have opened
fire on citizens and officers who
searched his home Monday. They
reported finding a quantity Of emery
dust and explosives in his home.
Gregor is said to have defied the
citizens committee and when he
was called before them for a hear
ing, avowed that "a day Of reckon
ing would come" His body was
found early this morning hanging
from a bridge near the railway
yards at Harrison. A coroner's jury
has. been irnpanellede to. Investigate
the hanging.
A call for help made to Governor
McRae at Little Rock was answered
by immediate action and the calling
out of national guards troops now
hinges upon the findings of Colonel
Fl. B. McAllister, adjutant general
of the guard, who is on his way to
Harrison to investigate.
|, Governor McRae also sent a mes
sage to the state legislature in ses-
sion here, requesting immediate ac-
ton.
to the situation and asked that the
legislature take some immediate &C
ton. Both bodies Immediately ap-
pointed special committees to con-
fer with the governor and it was eX-
pected the committee would report
back shortly after the noon recess.
Governor McRae's message quot
ed an urgent demand for troops
received by him in a telegram this
morning from Circuit Judge J. NJ
Slim, of Harrison.
800 in Town
1t is estimated that more than 500
citizens came here on Monday to
round up the strikers.
A brakeman named Ford was
slightly injured when struck by a
| shot fired from the home of a man
said to be a striker. At another house
! the invaders were met by gun fire
but no one was injured. The occu
pant was held to await action by
| the citizens committee. The CROWD
| W. OLNtCl y c1IlI1 bll1lOItS5AA 4lIctl1y vi
them carried weapons, there were
no reports of any shots being fired
by the citizens.
The labor hall was raided and its
furniture and fixtures burned in q
huge bonfire on the public square.
Several of the men reported that
a store of guns and ammunition was
discovered in one of the houses en-
tered by the men.
According to J. c. Murray, vice
president and general manager OF
the road, the recent bridge fires were
of incendiary origin. All bridges now
are being guarded by citizens.
The road discontinued operations
some time ago and the government
made it a loan of 100000 to re.
sumo business.
M M M