USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Altoona > History of the city of Altoona and Blair County : including sketches of the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. > Part 7
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"The members of the striking body disclaimed, with justice to themselves, that the stone throwing, etc., was done by what is known in the city as the 'gut gang,' and not by railroaders."
THE SHERIFF ISSUES A VERBAL PROCLAMATION.
In the afternoon, previous to this occurrence, Sheriff J. M. Stiffler issued a proclamation, verbally, in the depot, requesting the assembled multitude to disperse and quietly return to their homes; not to tres- pass on any of the railroad company's property; preserve the peace ;
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
leave all trains pass, and not molest or stop engineers or engines from work, or to molest, in any manner, men in the employ of the Penn- sylvania Railroad company.
On the same day Mayor Gilland issued the following
PROCLAMATION :
To THE CITIZENS OF ALTOONA :- As the Chief Magistrate of this city, I believe it to be my duty, under the present circumstances, to eantion the eltizens and others against any unlawful assemblies that may form under the present difficulties. I trust that all will endeavor to prevent any disturbance that would be detrimental to the interests of our city, or to the property of any one while the present excite- ment lasts. It is required of all good citizens to be vigilant, and lend their personal influenee in assisting the eity authorities in carrying out that which seems to them best for the safety of lives and property. Ialso request all landlords to close their bars until the present excitement subsides. This request I expect to be complied with, and if not, those who disregard it will be held responsible under the law. Be- lieving that our citizens are law-abiding and that we have no occasion to chroniele riotous conduet on the part of any one, but that all may be peace and quietness, I remain, very truly, D. A. GILLAND, Mayor.
[The above had the desired effect. ]
MEETING AT THE BRANT HOUSE.
At 7 o'clock, p. m., a large number of citizens assembled at the Brant House. Col. David Jones introduced, as the first speaker, James F. Milliken, who had been colonel of the Fifth regiment, N. G. P., and at that time was district attorney of Blair county. Mr. Mil- liken said :
"GENTLEMEN AND FELLOW-CITIZENS :-- It has always been to me a great pleasure to speak to and for the workingmen, and to defend the oppressed and down-trodden. A strike has been inaugurated by you against the Pennsylvania Railroad company. Let me ask for what purpose you strike ? Is it to injure the railroad company ? [Cries of 'No!' 'No!'] No! You strike because of your necessities; be- cause your wives and children ery to you for bread-for that which you are unable to give. Is this state of affairs attributable to your indisposition to work ? This needs no answer. It is attributable to the inadequency of the pay. Every man not controlled by the Penn- sylvania railroad is with you heart and soul. So long as you are or- derly, interfering in no man's private business, you will have the sup- port of Blair county and Pennsylvania. I was once colonel of the Fifth regiment, and, in the past, have encountered a good deal of bad luck. I think I strike a good streak just now. And, just here, I wish to add one thing. Not one man in the regiment can be com- pelled to turn out. If any one turns out voluntarily, you can mark him as one who wants to turn out against you. There is nothing in the militia law of this Commonwealth which can be construed as
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
J. S. BOOTH.
M. H. MACKEY.
EXCELSIOR PLANING MILL.
BOOTH & MACKEY, CARPENTERS & BUILDERS
MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN ALL KINDS OF
Rough and Dressed Lumber,
Flooring, Weatherboarding, Sash, Window Frames, Doors, Shutters, Blinds, Mouldings, &c. Scroll Sawing, Turning and Shaping in all its branches.
- WE MAKE A SPECIALTY OF -
PORCHES, BAY WINDOWS, STORE FRONTS, AND STAIR BUILDING.
All jobbing promptly attended to and neatly done. Ilaving a first-class Planing Mill, and getting all our material from first hands, we are prepared to con- tract for and put up houses as cheap and as quiek as can be done by any other builders. All work done under the supervision of competent foremen. Plans of buildings furnished and estimates made on short notice.
Mill and Office: 9th Avenue, between 11th and 12th Streets, Altoona, Pa.
For the convenience of those who are employed during the day, the office will be open in the evening, from 7:30 to 9 o'clock, where yon will find Mr. Mackey in waiting. Or you can call on Mr. Booth, at his residence, 6th __ Avenne, between 9th and loth Streets. Being practical carpenters themselves, all information relative to their business will be carefully as well as cheerfully given.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
compulsory. In conclusion I would enforce the axiom : 'United we stand, divided we fall.' This is your time. If the shop men turn out now, the Pennsylvania railroad cannot refuse to accede to the de- mands of the workmen. You know your rights. Stick to them, and you will get what you want, and what you are entitled to-a fair day's wages for a fair day's work. I am with you heart and soul. If you want a friend you will find one in Jim Milliken ! Good night."
Colonel Jones followed Mr. Milliken in a speech which substanti- ally covered the same ground, rendering its publication or even an abstract unnecessary.
He was followed in turn by Frank P. Tierney, whose appear- ance was greeted with cheers, and who was heard with respectful at- tention. He said : "My countrymen ! You have refused to remain longer in the employment of the Pennsylvania Railroad company at the wages you have been receiving. It is, undoubtedly, your right to demand from your employers such wages as would justify you in remaining in its employ. Should the company decline to accede to your demand, you are justified in continuing out of its service as arti- sans or workmen. This is a right which, under the law, you can ex- ercise ; but in doing so, you must exercise that right with a jealous regard to the rights of others. You must east your eyes upon the written and well-recognized law which governs us all in the enjoy- ment of our rights, and by it be governed. Therefore, gentlemen, you had better reflect well what you are doing before taking any rash step, for you must never forget that those who disregard the law must, in the end, come to grief. If you desire, therefore, to succeed in obtaining your object, it will only be accomplished by legal and proper means-by observing and respecting the rights of all under the law. I therefore appeal to you to use only such means to obtain the end you seek. I also appeal to our citizens who are not in the employ of the railroad company, to give to you a helping hand by the use of legitimate means. And I further appeal to the railroad of- ficials, if there be any present, to aid, as soon as possible, in securing an increase of wages for the workmen. In the dark hours of the panie these gentlemen stood faithfully by you, and, as times improve they will see, as far as they can, that your patience will be rewarded. Their interests are identical with yours. Gentlemen, I thank you for this mark of your confidence and respect. I bid you good night."
In response to urgent and repeated calls, Thomas H. Greevy, stepped on the improvised platform (store box) and addressed his. fellow-citizens. The following is a synopsis of his remarks: "In
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
an assembly like this it is impossible for me to say things to suit everybody. Thus, I am at a loss to know what to say. As a general thing I do not believe in strikes. A strike is a means which should only be used as a last resort. I am not sufficiently familiar with your demands to make a suitable speech. But I am familiar with the pre- carious condition of the workingmen all over the country, who labor for a mere pittance-scarcely sufficient to keep themselves and families from starving. I know that you, workingmen, have the sympathy of all the people including those high in authority in this city. I sym- pathize with you, but you must preserve the peace ; you must not vi- olate the law, for in case you do the State will bring all its machinery to bear upon you. There is one other point to which I will direct your attention. No strike has ever succeeded where violence was re- sorted to. Violence was invariably met by violence, and ended in the discomfiture of the strikers. Let me warn you-the man who advises you to break the peace, to destroy public or private property, is not your friend."
PATROLLING THE STREETS.
During the evening and night the Latta Guard patrolled the streets for the protection of private property and the maintenance of law and order. The streets were thronged with an excited crowd. The latter portion of the night passed quietly, however, no freight trains running east or west to demand the attention of the strikers.
SUNDAY THE CULMINATING POINT OF THE EXCITEMENT.
Next day, Sunday, July 22, was characterized by the shriek of the life, the rattle and roll of the drum, the marching of armed troops through our heretofore quiet city, the rapid movements and cheering of men, the scream of the locomotive whistle, all strangely intermingled with the solemn tones of the church bells.
About 9 o'clock in the morning ten car loads of troops, aggregat- ing about five hundred, composed of parts of the First, Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth and Twelfth regiments, under the command of General Beaver, arrived in this city, and immediately pulled up to the upper end of the yard. Here breakfast was served to them, and their engine was backed into the upper round house. The strikers then closed the gates of the round house yard and refused to allow an en- gine to go out to take the troops to Pittsburg. A detachment of Company B, Twelfth regiment, of Williamsport, Robert M. Fores- man, captain, under the command of Col. Stead, was detailed to take an engine from the round house. They marched up to the round
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
house gate, where they were faced and surrounded by about a hun- dred cool and determined strikers. They were compelled to halt within six feet of the gate, and about a half dozen of the railroad men stepped into the ranks and laid hold of muskets in the hands-of the soldiers who quietly and not unwillingly yielded their arms. Fearing the utter demoralization of his command, Captain Foresman faced the crowd and attempted to drive back the more venturesome at the point of his sword, when a huge stone was thrown which strnek him baek of the right ear, prostrating him. The gash was one inch and a half long and of considerable depth. Sergeant Osborne Gif- ford received two cuts on the head from stones. For awhile the af- fair looked serious. The strikers, on learning that more troops had been detailed to procure an engine, and were marching towards the round house, rushed into the yard and "spiked " engines Nos. 506, 123 and 206, by taking off driving rods, drawing the sand, water and fire, letting the steam escape and soaping the boxes. The troops started to march to the gates, but, concluding that it would be useless to attempt to get an engine, and that even if they did, no engineer could be found to take it out, marched back to their train. From the train the entire body of troops, with the exception of a guard at the train, marched to the Pennsylvania railroad depot and stacked arms. The soldiers and strikers then commingled in friendly inter- course.
Though not allowed to go west, the soldiers were permitted to re- turn to their homes in the east if they chose. Company G, of Phil- adelphia, and squads of other companies, took advantage of that and left for home in the evening.
MEETING OF THE RAILROAD MEN.
On the morning of the following day (Monday, July 23,) a meet- ing of the railroad men was held, and it was unanimously agreed to protect both private and public property at all hazards.
A committee of workingmen also waited on G. W. Strattan in the morning and requested him to close the upper shops, which he did. The lower shops were also elosed.
CITIZENS' MEETING.
In the morning also, by the advice of prominent citizens, placards, signed by Mayor Gilland, were posted in every conspicuous place in the city, calling a meeting of all the citizens at the Opera House to be held at 3 o'clock p. m. Before the appointed hour arrived the house was crowded. . The Mayor opened the meeting by announcing
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
WILLIAM W. YON,
- DEALER IN -
GROCERIES AND® PROVISIONS, FLOUR, FEED, ETC.
WOOD, WILLOW, GLASS, CHINA ANDQUEENSWARE.
SEGARS AND TOBACCO.
Country Produce Bought and Sold.
17th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues, ALTOONA, PA.
J. A. CANAN & CO.,
Margaret Avenue and 19th Street, Altoona, HAVE THE LARGEST STOCK OF
TERRA COTTA DRAIN PIPE,
FIRE CLAY FLUES, CHIMNEY TOPS, LAWN VASES, PEDESTALS, Etc.,
Ever offered in Altoona, which they are now selling at greatly reduced prices. Hav- ing their own Lime Kilns located in the city, they are always prepared to furnish their customers with fresh lime. They have also on band, Cleveland Lime, White Sand, Duncansville and Ilill Sand, Cal- cined Plaster, Cements, Plastering Hair, Shingles, etc. AGENTS FOR GRANITE ROOFING.
Also --- Flour, Feed, Hay, Straw, Coal, Wood, Salt.
TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS ..
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
this purpose in calling it. He said a great burden had been laid on his shoulders, and that he wanted to do right by all, both the work- ingmen and the company, and if he failed it would not be his fault. He concluded: "I want you to act as men and good citizens, and not as roughs and rioters. I have sworn in a number of policemen and I want you to stand by them. I called this meeting through a pure motive and trust it will be so regarded."
D. K. Ramey was made President, and Samuel S. Goodman and Hon. J. W. Curry, Vice Presidents. A. F. Kerr, G. S. Hamlin and N. C. Barclay were elected Secretaries.
The President made a few remarks, the substance of which was that the difficulty would soon be settled; that he had no hand in bringing it about and hoped the workingmen would get justice.
H. H. Herr stated that he understood that some railroad men had an idea that this meeting had been called to oppose the strikers, but it was not so. It was merely to organize so as to be able to meet emergencies and protect property and prevent bloodshed. He thought that the troops were the persons to be feared and not the railroad men whose interests lay in this city, both in public and private prop- erty.
Hon. J. W. Curry was called upon, who said that the laborer was worthy of his hire, and that every good citizen and laborer should protect his employer, and such employer, in turn, should protect the laborer. Every man is responsible to God for his own acts and not for the acts of others. We are called on as individuals to protect ourselves, not from any man in this house, or any workman what- ever, but from outsiders alone. I would trust any man in this house with my life and property. It is the tramps we have to fear; they are the ones who would do the firing, stealing and murdering. It is your right and my right to protect ourselves, and to each and every man it becomes a duty to protect the others. We depend upon the railroad company for what we get, and when we have difficulties to settle let us do so at the proper tribunal. I move, Mr. President, that five hundred policemen be appointed and sworn in.
George J. Akers said that the same emergency did not exist in our city that did in Pittsburg. No Philadelphia soldiers were here to shoot down our wives and children as they did in Pittsburg. We are law-abiding citizens, and I am certain that with five hundred po- licemen to guard us we can go to our beds to-night in peace and there sleep in safety. If the men conduct themselves properly they will
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
impel the company to accede to their justifiable and rightful demands. [Applause and cries " That's so !" etc. ]
Major Richard J. Crozier followed. He said it was not the rail- road men that destroyed the company's property at Pittsburg. He thought there was not a man in the house who would do the least harm to the property of the company or that of citizens.
William B. Blake desired to be informed whether the policemen would get any compensation or not. The Mayor replied that he could not answer the question, as the city was deeply in debt now, and he had no authority nor the desire to lay any further burthen upon taxpayers. He could not say whether the company would pay them or not. He further stated that nearly all those appointed five hundred had volunteered their services.
Simon Hawk, an engineer on the Middle division, stated that he had presided at a railroad meeting this morning, in this city, and that almost one hundred men were present, each and every one of whom expressed themselves as going to, sworn in or not, protect all property at any hazard. He concluded : "We did not strike, but we of the Middle division are afraid of our lives and dare not go ont on an engine, but since we are "out" we want our rights and are going to have them." [Applause. ]
Mayor Gilland said the police were to be put in all the wards of the city, those in the lower wards to be under the control of Andrew Kipple, and those in the upper wards under Thomas I. MeKiernan. The meeting then adjourned.
MEETING OF THE SHOP MEN.
In the evening of the same day a meeting of the shop men was held in the Opera House. Some three hundred persons were present. Capt. J. W. Dougherty was elected President, and Capt. E. M. War- ren, Secretary. The following named gentlemen were appointed a committee to draw up a series of resolutions : M. J. McCoy, P. O'Hare, W. B. Blake, E. M. Warren and Robert Hudson. They went into session and soon returned with the following resolutions :
RESOLVED-That we, the Pennsylvania railroad employes of the shops situated at Altoona, desire and claim the same wages we received prior to the Ist of June, 1877. And be it further
RESOLVED-That no discharge or suspensions occur to any one who participated in the present difficulty. And be it further
RESOLVED-That this action of the shop men is taken on account of recommen- dations of high Pennsylvania railroad officials, and what we consider good and wise counsel.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
RESOLVED-That we heartily sympathize with all persons interested in the pres- ent difficulty, and deplore the loss of life and property in Pittsburg, and will do what we can to prevent a similar occurrence in our midst.
[Signed]
M. J. McCOY, Pres't, P. O'HARE, W. B. BLAKE, E. M. WARREN, ROBERT HUDSON.
The above resolutions were adopted.
A motion was made that the chairman appoint a committee of three to present the resolutions to General Superintendent G. Clin- ton Gardner, which was carried, and M. J. MeCoy, W. B. Blake and J. B. Harkins were appointed such committee. On motion ad- journed to meet in the Opera House next morning at 10:30 o'clock.
ADJOURNED MEETING.
In pursuance of announcement made, an adjourned meeting was promptly held at the Opera House at 10:30 o'clock on the 24th of July. The house was crowded with orderly and attentive shop men. The meeting was called to order by Capt. E. M. Warren, Secretary, who announced the object of the meeting. In the absence of some of the officers previously elected, Win. Fortenbaugh was called to the chair, Thomas Miller elected Vice President, and Martin Lewis, Assistant Secretary. Before taking his seat Mr. Fortenbaugh ad- dressed the audience, saying that he hoped that peace, good order and harmony would prevail. "There will be momentons questions," he said, "for your decision, and it is essential that a calm spirit exist."
M. J. McCoy, chairman of the committee appointed the previous evening to wait on Mr. Gardner, presented the resolutions, and were received kindly. Mr. Gardner expressed himself as a consist- ent friend of the working man, which he had shown all through the panie in scouring the whole country to get work to be done here in the shops. He had done for them all that was in his power. He further said that he could not, at this short notice, give the men a definite answer ; he could not negotiate between the workmen and high officers, and all that he could do was to obey orders. Under such circumstances he could not assure the men anything. He would forward their resolutions, with remarks of his own. He ex- pressed solicitation for the property of the company, and the commit- tre assured him that it would be protected. The committee further expressed their entire confidence in Mr. Gardner, and their belief that he would do all in his power to bring about a satisfactory solution.
Capt. E. M. Warren advised the men to be careful. He knew of some dissatisfaction among the men, but hoped they would pursue a
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
E. H. KEYES, - DEALER IN -
GENTS' FURNISHING GOODS,
HATS, CAPS, TRUNKS, VALISES, ETC.
ELEVENTH AVENUE AND SEVENTEENTH STREET, ALTOONA, PA.
' RUDOLPH LUEBBERT, MANUFACTURER OF
CIGARS,
AND WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALER IN ALL KINDS OF MANUFACTURED
TOBACCO. NO. 1110 ELEVENTH AVENUE, ALTOONA.
PROF. R. C. WARD,
TEACHER OF Organ, Piano, Voice Culture, Harmony, COMPOSITION, AND DIRECTOR OF MUSICAL CONVENTIONS. Also, Agent for Sheet Music, Musie Books, etc. Office with Prof. R. B. Mahaffey, 8th Avenue and 12th Street, Altoona.
S. K. ORR,
- DEALER IN -
A NTMRACITE AND
ITUMINOUS
COALS.
WOOD, ETC.
Lime, Sand, Posts, Shingles, Lath, and other kinds of Lumber. Those who contem- plate building, or improving property, will do well to give me a call.
Corner 11th Avenue and 4th Street, Altoona.
JAMES STEWART PARNELL .- (SEE PAGE 91.)
-
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBYAN
ASTOR, LFNOX A D TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
wise course. It would be neither brave nor manly to demand more than they demanded two months previously, nor more than was de- enanded in the resolutions of the preceding meeting. Now that the company was in trouble was no reason to think that the more we de- mand the more we will get. There is a probability that we may get what we demand, but it is a mere probability. If we demand too much the probability is that the company will either close the shops for months or secure the services of other men to run them, which conld be done.
On motion the report of the committee was received, and the committee discharged with the thanks of the workingmen.
Mr. Fields, of the Seventh ward, moved that the resolutions adopted the previous evening be rescinded and the resolutions of the Harrisburg railroaders be adopted. The motion was seconded, but so, also, was a motion to adjourn, which latter motion was put and lost. Mr. Fields then renewed his motion to rescind the resolutions, remarking that they had been passed by a meeting of about one hun- dred boys and citizens who were not workmen in the shops. "Sup- pose," he said, "we do get back our ten per cent .- it is only eight cents a day, and then the company will take an hour off the day, and we will lose twice eight cents." The motion was seconded by John H. Speece.
Capt. J. W. Dougherty, chairman of the former meeting, said : "The resolutions of last night are now in the hands of the railway officials. These resolutions represent our demands, and to rescind them is manifestly out of order. We cannot, consistently, at this period of time, frame and pass another series of resolutions. I deny that the meeting referred to by Mr. Fields had been composed of boys and citizens who were not workmen. On the other hand, I as- sert that the meeting consisted of a house full of the most responsible and respectable workingmen of this city."
Wilbur B. Blake suggested that if we send another set of reso- Intions, which cannot be otherwise than similar to those already adopted, the railroad authorities will conclude that we do not know what we do want, and, consequently, will take notice of neither. Then we will get nothing. Mr. Blake also denied the truth of the statement that the previous meeting had been composed of boys and citizens who were not workmen.
Several of the representative workingmen spoke against any change in the character or wording of the resolutions, and united in
7
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HISTORY OF ALTOONA AND BLAIR COUNTY.
denying that the previous meeting was composed of any other than workingmen.
These calmer counsels prevailed, and a motion to adjourn was overwhelmingly carried.
[By way of parenthesis we will say that about this time Presi- dent Hayes issued a proclamation admonishing all good citizens of the United States against aiding, countenancing, abetting or taking part in riotous proceedings. ]
ARRIVAL OF GOVERNOR HARTRANFT.
Governor Hartranft, accompanied by Secretary Quay, arrived in this city on the morning of July 25. Upon the arrival of the train, an hour behind time, a crowd of several hundred citizens had assem- bled in front of the Logan House, evidently with the expectation of hearing an elaborate speech. After partaking of breakfast the Gov- ernor proceeded to his car, from the rear end of which he delivered the following :
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