Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1904 — BLOCK COAL MEN OUT [ARTICLE]

BLOCK COAL MEN OUT

Beginning Next Monday They Strike to Force the Hoieters into the U. M. W. . SOFT COAL MEN WONT WORK Until an Agreement Is Signed with the Operators—Story of a Hand-kerchief-Notes. Brazil, Ind., April 8. President Houston, of the United Mine Workers of district eight, has issued a notice to the operators of the black coal field that all miners would cease work on Monday, April 11. This general strike was ordered by President Houston because tbe engineers had refused to join tbe miners’ organization. (7. M. W. Official* at Work. Terre Haute, Ind., April 8. The officials of the Indiana miners’ orgaxir izatlons addressed mags meetings of miners in the fields where the men are refusing to work until the scale is signed. * The action of the operators in declining to proceed! with the conference so long as the men refused to work, is Intended to have the effect of stimulating the sentiment for good faith with the employers. Effect of tho Agreement. The Indianapolis agreement did not bind the men to work only so far as the miners’ representatives pledged thefr effort to have the men continue at work, but it is desired that the lesson be taught at this time that it is best for both sides to comply in good faith with Implied agreements. Miners Refuse to Go to Work. Linton, Indi, April 8. —The miners of the Linton district at a mass meeting voted not to return to work until an agreement Is reached and the scale signed by the miners andi operators. More than 2.000 miners attended the meeting, which was addressed by National Board Member William Blakeley. At night the miners ordered their delegates to return from the Joint conference at Terre Haute. This action ties up the Linton field. Three of the local mines are suspended as a result of the recent flood and the remaining mines will be idle as a result of the action. Inundation Was Their Death. Evansville, Indi, April 8. The backwater flood still afflicts the people at Glass Ridge, in the Wabash bottoms near Vincennes, and the funerals of three persons whose deaths are indirectly due to the flood had to be conducted in skiffs. The dead are Ethel Christy, May Butler and Cbua. Prince, the latter a prominent farmer. They wereaffllcted with the measles and pneumonia, and the water In their homes caused relapses, resulting fatality. TRAVELS OF A HANDKERCHIEF Boon Sent from One Member of n Family to Another for Many Tear*. Newcastle, Ind., April B.—A silk handkerchief that has traveled thousands of miles Is now in the possession of Harry T. Coffin, a local business man. It is known as the “Coffin ’Kerchief.” Years ago a piece of cloth came Into the bands of a member of the family, and since then it has, in a spirit of fun, been sent from one member to another. It has just reached here from a Coffin in Omaha, and In its travels in tbe last ten years has been to .the Philippines, Porto Rico and many points in the United States. It was here last sumer at the reunion of the Coffin family, and was hidden among the effect of a New Yorker, who, when he found it, started the handkerchief on Its way again. It will be kept going as long as there are Coffins to send it to, and it is now regarded as a valuable relic. Reformed Saloonist for Mayor. Terre Haute, Ind., April 8. —Strother Pierson has been nominated by the Prohibitionists for mayor of the city.

Pierson wa* formerly proprietor of a saloon which gave tbe police much trouble. Finally Pierson killed a man In Hie place, was tried for murder, pleaded self-defense and was acquitted. The saloon ceased to exist aftthe fatality. Following tbe trial Ftenmn joined tbe Prohibition ranks. Declare* la Favor of Parker. Indianapolis, April 8. James L. Keach, a recognized leader of the Cleveland Democracy of tbe state, and chairman of the Democratic city committee, has declared In favor of Judge Parker for the presidential nominee. Keach had charge of the gold Democratic organization In 1896, but is understood to have voted for Bryan in 1900, His following will undoubtedly line up strong for Parker. Costly Bnnch of Cattl* Killed. Green castle, Ind., April 8. Twelve bead of finely bred Shorthorn cattle were killed in a bunch on the Big Four railroad near here. They were struck by the Knickerbocker express In a curve, but the speed of the train was so great that It was not injured In any way by the terric impact. The cattle belonged to Alex Lockridge’s herd. Painter Ha* a Fatal Fall. Evansville, Ind.. April 8. Leonard Weilbrenner, painter, fell from the top of a three-story building, and received injuries which caused his death fifteen minutes later. The accident was witnessed by many people, and It was a •lekening sight. He was unmarried.