Good Old Days: April 4, 2019

8 years ago

The Commoner, March 30 1895, 1890

The work train on the Colfax division of the Union Pacific was stationary in the yards all day last Friday and Saturday. Not a pick was struck in the ditches. At 7 O'clock Friday morning, when Roadmaster William Bollons reaches the Colfax depot, he found the laborers who had gone out on Thursday's worktrain, to the number of about 25, standing idly around, and with their picks and shovels strewn about on the ground.

“What's the matter with you men?” asked the roadmaster.

“We don't propose to work for $1.40 a day,” said one of the crew.

“Then you...