Mountain Echo Newspaper

March 26, 1886 (Vol 1-No 4) Page 1 continued

Abstracted / Transcribed & Copyrighted by Linda Haas Davenport

When the print is so faded that it cannot be read <.....> will be used . All transcription will be as found in the paper, misspellings and all

Page 1 Column 4

FACTS OF THE STRIKE: The number of persons now out of employment in consequence of the railroad strike precipitated at Marshall, Texas, is estimated at 10,000. The aggregate wages thus lost to the late employes of these lines of railroad will closely approximate $15,000 per day, or $90,000 per week of six working days.

This money is lost. No matter how the strike may end, it can no more be restored to these men and their families than if thrown into the fire. They lose just that much; yet their own expenses continue, and must be paid by somebody: They must live, and experience shows that few save any money for a "rainy day."

The immediate cause of the strike was the discharge of a man named Hall, employed by the Texas and Pacific railroad, operated as a part of the Missouri Pacific system, but now in the hands of a receiver, responsible only to and receiving orders only from the United States court. Though crippled somewhat, the road is being operate; and to requests for a conference the receiver replied that there was no occasion for conference, the federal count being open for redress of any grievances alleged by later employes of the company, no other tribunal possessing authority.

For the discharge of Hall at Marshall, Texas, the entire Missouri Pacific system is held responsible, although its managers disclaim responsibility and point to the fact that no grievance exists unconnected with the fate of Hall. It is urged also that the managers of the system have no control of the Texas Pacific which is under orders from the federal court. It is assumed on the other hand, that they do, or might exert control. Meanwhile the late operatives are losing %15,000 per day, not a dollar of which can ever be recovered and our manufacturing, commercial and agricultural interests are sorely suffering. Business, except at a few points, is paralyzed. And here the matter rests.

How long shall this suffering, which every day increases continue? How long shall these ten thousand men remain without opportunity to make a support for themselves and their families? What is to be the outcome? There can be little doubt that the stand taken by the receiver of the Texas and Pacific will be maintained. He is operating the line, getting stronger daily, and behind him stand the federal court, which may not recognize any principle contended for by the original strikers, who left their places, and from the viewpoint of the court are no longer connected with the road.

If this point be settled what of the other portions of the system whose operatives without any immediate grievance struck to compel Hall's reinstatement at Marshall? Is the business of four States to be partially suspended, and the 10,000 men now out of work so remain unemployed pending a mere contest of endurance? The original and only offender, the Texas and Pacific, is in a position to maintain itself. It cannot be and has not been charged that a grievance exists elsewhere on the system, whose managers daily reiterate what everybody knows, that the receiver of the Texas and Pacific is not responsible to them but to the federal court. It may be and has been insisted that these managers can influence the receiver. But if this be true, the fact cannot be made to appear, and is valueless legally and logically for practical effect.

This is the situation. It cannot be changed by assumptions. It is useless to argue it up or down. The fact remains; and it must be confronted by all, irrespective of questions of sympathy for either party to the contest. Abusing the strikers will not change it. Abusing Jay Gould, who too often deserves condemnation will not change it.

How long can, how long should, such conditions last? How long shall every interest in four great States suffer virtual paralysis because a man named Hall was dismissed from the service of a railroad not controlled by its owners, but by the federal court, whose sworn and bonded agent points to the law and to the court, and is able to maintain his position? - Arkansas Gazette

Column 5

About 12 o'clock, Mr. Seawell was awakened by an unusual noise, and on going out to see what was the cause, discovered the house on fire. As quickly as possible the rest of the family were awakened, but the flames had gained such headway before the discovery was made that they barely had time to escape from the burning building. The house being half a mile from town, only a few heard the alarm, and reached the premises too late to render much assistance. Very little of the furniture or household goods were saved, the family even losing most of their wearing apparel. Many articles that were carried out of the house caught fire from the sparks and heat and burned. The fire is supposed to have originated in the kitchen as that part of the building was first discovered to be on fire. The house was a large two story frame, and one of the most substantial buildings in the county; nicely finished and elegantly furnished. The house and furniture were insured for $2,500. The loss is estimated at about $3,400.

Although partially insured, the loss falls heavily on Mr. Seawell, and at a time too, when business is dull and money scarce. But being an energetic, industrious business man, we hope he will soon recover his losses.

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The American World says: "The sharpest dodge in the real estate business comes from Dakota, the land of the handsome women. The town of Dunlieth having offered $300 and a town lot to the first baby born within its limits, a lady living some 200 miles distant went over, gave birth to a bouncing boy, pocked her $300 and the deed for the town lot, and finished up the entire transaction in less than 48 hours Let Congressmen who are trying to keep Dakota out in the cold take note of the snap and enterprise of the people up in that Territory, and come to a realizing sense of their mistake."

The Neillsvile (Wis) Times publishes the following advertisement: "Poetry Wanted - WE will be pleased to publish unobjectionable poetry for 20 cents per line. The Times has a very large circulation, and poets desiring to reach the public will find better facilities offered here than by the average paper. The cash must accompany all 'outbursts of the muse' at the rate announced above. If you send ten lines let it be accompanied by $2, if twenty lines, $4, etc. Spring poetry 5 cents a line extra. No cordwood taken on poetry." The Echo will adopt the same plan.

A correspondent of the Rogers New Era furnishes the following: "The distillery is in operation and whisky and still-slop is plentiful. Every hog in and around Nebo is drunk and something worse is expected. Since the start of the distillery the Nebo young ladies held a meeting and adopted the following platform"

The man who takes the red, red wine
Can never glue his lips to mine;
The man who chews the Navy plug
Will in our parlor get no hug;
Who smokes or drinks or cuts a deck,
Shall never, never bite my neck.
Don't you monkey with the cards,
Or we can never more be pards.
The man who guzzles lager beer,
Can never, never chew my ear.
Drink nothing stronger than red pop,
Or in your lap I'll never flop;
If aught but water you e'er taste,
Just keep your arm from off my waist.
If you drink wine or other slop,
You can never hear my corset pop.
The man who smokes the cigarette,
Can never squeeze me, you can bet.
The man who never drinks nor plays,
Shall be the one that winds the race.

 A Buffalo man mentions it as one of Cleveland's strong points that he can trudge along a stream all day without catching any fish and never swear or get drunk.

Column 6

Stonewall Jackson's war horse died at Richmond, Virginia, aged thirty five years.

Congressman Wm L Scott, one of the wealthiest members, began life as a page in Congress.

Both Houses of Congress have passed the bill increasing the pensions of widows of soldiers from $8 to $12 a month.

Three Massachusetts towns will be 250 years old this year - Springfield in May, Dedham in September, and Sciturtle in the following month.

Mrs. Pendleton and her daughters have suddenly started for America on account of the death of a near relative. Minister Pendleton remains in Berlin.

Rev Sam Jones says Chicago has beaten the first two weeks record in St. Louis and Cincinnati and reckons the number of converts to date in Chicago at about 500.

The effects of the coal strike in the Pennsylvania districts is already being felt at many of the eastern shipping points in the suspension of shipments. A big jump in the price is daily expected.

Edwin Booth is reported as refusing to contribute to the McCullough monument fund, saying: "There were other actors greater than McCullough who have no monuments, notably Edwin Forrest and my father."

The cotton mills at Victory, N.Y., were shut down, owing to a strike of operatives. The mills employ about 500 hands, and they all went out. The men refused an advance of 10 per cent, on their present wages.

White people of means, and education are said to be leaving West Virginia, Ohio, and parts of western Pennsylvania for Arkansas. Their intention being to carry on farming extensively in the productive and healthy sections of this State.

Mexican tobacco threatens to supercede the product of Cuba. In several districts careful cultivation produce a quality of the weed which easily sells in the New York market under Cuban trade-marks, but it is becoming so favorably known that it will hereafter be sold on its merits.

George Gould, son of the great millionaire, Jay Gould, is engaged to be married to a Miss Kingdom, of Daly's theatre, New York. "Like Simon Suggs, George beats the old man. Jay started in for all that was in sight, conquered Wall street, won all the railroads and the balance of the country, but George has conquered a Kingdom."

A Knights of Labor lodge, of 60 members, has been organized at Newport.

W E Thompson, Superintendent of Public Instruction, is a candidate for re-election.

Newport is have water-works. The town is already supplied with whisky works.

The Batesville and Brinkly railroad will be completed to Newport by the first of June.

A freight train on the Iron Mountain road was wrecked at Jacksonville last week by unknown parties.

Hot Springs had a $150,000 fire on the 11th inst. Insurance #37,000. The burning is thought to be the work on an incendiary.

The workshops of the Arkansas Industrial University have been opened, and the young men of that institution will now be taught a few practical principles.

The railroad yards have presented a sort of graveyard appearance for the past two weeks, and nobody knows how much longer the funeral is going to last. - Newport Herald.

A Phillips county farmer raised 1600 bushels of sweet potatoes on less than six acres of land last year. His crop is now worth $1600 spot cash. It cost him less than $200 to plant, cultivate and market the crop, giving him $1400 net profit - about a thousand times as much clear money as was made by any farmer in the county, or any other county in this State, on he same area in cultivation. The farmer who thus diversifies his crops and keeps his limbs free from the toils of the anaconda is R.C. Ramsey. We have the finest soil in the world for sweet potatoes, and we humbly beseech our farmers to raise at least enough potatoes to supply home consumption, if none for the market. - Jackson County Herald.