The Newcastle Lockout: When Knights of Labor Shut Down the Mine

At 10 o'clock yesterday morning, 199 miners ran from the Oilman and other mines near Newcastle into town and shut down the mine. A miner was a rascal.

On the fireman at the house works, and after driving him off, the man drew the fees from the furnaces and closed down the mine. The trouble grew out of a difference between the Knights of Labor and the United Miners and Laborers Society. Several days ago Kelly Ramsey, the boss of the laborers, asked for a few days' leave of absence, which was granted, and a man named Vaughn, who belonged to the Talon [union], was temporarily put in his place. The leaders refused to work under Vaughn, without assigning any reason, but it is supposed because he was not a member of the Knights.

What an outrage and cannot be understood. He went away apparently in good spirits, but returned in company with those who shut down the mine, rendering them every assistance.

Mr. Munger went up yesterday and found that those who were to work were afraid to do so. He returned to town and reported the situation to the proper officer. At 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon Sheriff Vance, Assistant Attorney S. H. Giles, Alexander Allen and L. C. Gillman took a special train for the mines.

When they arrived the Knights of Labor and outside miners were holding a mass meeting, during which the following resolutions were announced:

Resolved, That we serve on the superintendent, who refused to accede to them, claiming that he had a right to select his own foreman;

Resolved, That we go to the superintendent of Newcastle, requesting him to recognize the Knights of Labor work committee of L. A., 536, and none other. Carried.

Resolved, That every man gets his turn, provided he is qualified for the position; his qualification is to be decided by the Knights of Labor work committee of L. A., 536 Newcastle. Carried.

Resolved, That the Knights of Labor work committee serve as messengers to the superintendent, Mr. Ed. Morgan, at Newcastle.

The above is the decision of the K. of L. assemblies of Newcastle, Oilman and McAllister.

E. Hagan Rogers, Secretary.

After the meeting an effort was made by the officers to effect a compromise, without success. At 8 o'clock last evening the Knights of Labor went into convention at Ella Courtney Lake, one mile this side of the mines, and at 10 p.m. the sheriff and party started for Seattle, but trapped at the lake to put the sheriff off. While there the miners called on S. H. Giles for a speech. He talked for an hour, telling them they were VIOLATING THE LAW in thus preventing by threats of violence other miners from pursuing their vocation, and advised them to disperse and go to their respective homes. They appointed a committee to confer with the superintendent, and all hands went back to the mines.

They demanded the reinstatement of Ramsey and his men before they would go to work or allow anybody else to go to work. The company refused to grant this demand.

B. Conroy and D. H. Jones were arrested for riot and Kelly Ramsey will be arrested today on a similar charge. Serious trouble is threatened, although all was quiet at midnight.