Baseball game arranged between Hemingray and Indiana Iron & Steel for benefit of striking coal miners

FOR WORTHY PURPOSE

Was Citizens' Mass Meeting Held In

Court House Last Night.

One Hundred and Fifty Dollars Donated

For the Starving Miners — Glass Pressers

and Blowers To the Front.

The attendance at the mass meeting called by Mayor Cromer in the little court room at the court house last evening was small but the meeting was an enthusiastic one and the result was highly satisfactory to all concerned. There were probably twenty-five persons present, the majority of these being representatives of different local unions, while the remainder were business men who have at heart the interests of the destitute miners.

Mayor Cromer called the session to order and explained the object of the meeting by stating that he was acting by special request of Governor Mount, who had appointed a committee to investigate the striking miners condition and when their report showed that it was even worse than had been pictured by the press he had made all haste to send out calls for aid. Other cities had responded nobly and although Muncie had made one donation of $60, it was hoped that a much larger sum would be contributed at this call. The mayor explained that the meeting was called for the purpose of devising some plans whereby the money could be raised and ended his remarks by making a motion to appoint Judge Koons as chairman of the meeting. The motion was carried. The judge made a few appropriate remarks and suggested that other officers be selected. This was acted upon with the result that mayor Cromer was appointed treasurer and representatives of the News and Times, were selected to act as secretaries.

John T. Guigan. national treasurer of the Green Glass Pressers' Association of the United States and Canada was the first to take the floor and the few words he spoke brought joy to the hearts of every person present, and will bring gladness to the many starving wives and children of the thousands of desti­tute miners. Mr. Guigan stated that he with two other members of a com­mittee, Frank Lafferty and Hugh Houghey, came in behalf of Local Number 1, of the Green Glass Pressers' league of Muncie, "and this is our offering." said the speaker, as he laid upon the table min front of Mayor Cromer, $100 in shining gold pieces. "It is but a drop in the cup," said Mr. Guigan, "but we hope that it will prove an incentive to others to be liberal in such a worthy cause."

It was almost a cheer that broke from the lips of those assembled, when they fully realized the extent of this liberal offering and the noble sentiment which induced the members of the above mentioned association to give to their fel­low laborers, who are so sadly in need, and it was some moments before order was again restored.

Another surprise was in store how­ever. Again it was the laboring men who came to the front with their hard earned wages to give to the starving. Joseph Brooker, representing Branch 12 of the local Green Bottle Blowers' league, gave Mayor Cromer an endorsed check for $25, stating at the same time that the National League had and would continue to assist the miners un­til their condition was such that they would not need aid. This offering was the occasion for further enthusiasm and had the meeting been larger in numbers and more business men present, there is little doubt but what the fund would have been swelled to much larger proportions. There were no further dona­tions and the remainder of the evening was taken up with discussions, in for­mulating plans and appointing committees to carry on the good work.

Mayor Cromer slated that when an effort was made to secure provisions for India sufferers there were objections raised by many persons who were not in sympathy with the movement, for the reason that they thought missionary work should first done at home. "Now," said the mayor, "these people should come forward without hesitation and give liberally. If they but could look upon the suffering of their fellow beings right within the borders of our own state, I know they would open their purse string and give freely in this cause."

There were other short addresses but probably the most effective and touch­ing remarks made were by Nat Ringo, who for years resided among the miners. He described their condition from his own personal observations and with a pathos that, could he have been heard by the masses at large, that there would be few who would not have responded to this urgent call and readily come to the succor of those who are so helpless and needy.

On the motion of Mr. Hermann, an executive committee of three, composed of Mayor Cromer, Charles Kimbrough and Judge Koons, was appointed. They were given the power to appoint as many canvassers as the thought neces­sary to visit the business men and others to raise a fund of $500 outside of what has been or will be donated by the labor unions. All money collected will be sent at once to the relief committee at Indianapolis, who act under the governor's instructions.

On motion of Mayor Cromer, the exhibition to be given by the athletic club next Friday night, the proceeds of which will go to the fund for the benefit of the miners, was indorsed by the meeting. A vote of thanks was also extended to the two leagues, the members of which had so generously donated the $125.

Lon Van Camp, president of the barbers union, stated that previous to the call issued by Mayor Cromer, the employees of the Hemingray glass works and the Indiana iron and steel works had arranged to play a game of ball next Saturday afternoon at Westside park the proceeds to be given to the miners, and be asked in their behalf that this matter be indorsed by this meeting, which was done. This fact will aid them greatly in the sale of tickets and will go far towards adding to the fund.

The players and their positions are as follows:

Ben Smith..................c.....................Joe Wedlock

Will Ball....................p.....................Wm. Wedlock

Wm. McDonald........1b....................R. Haverstick

Dennis Collins..........2b....................Steve Winsor

Dick Bird..................3b....................Pat Patterson

Jack Kelly..................lf.....................Ed Timmins

Edward Hise.............cf.....................John Sullivan

John Evans................rf.....................John Callahan

Ike Smith...................ss....................Joe Dailey

The admission to the game will be ten cents and there will no doubt be a large crowd present. Dennis Collins, Joe wedlock and Mr. finnan are the committee to look after the game.

A motion to adjourn the meeting subject to the call of the executive committee was carried and there is little doubt when the next call comes, the attendance will be all that can be desired.

Mayor Cromer left the courthouse a happy man as he is greatly interested in the worthy work he has undertaken, but his joy knew no bounds when a few moments after leaving the building he was handed a telegram which read as follows:

                                     WEST BADEN, IND., Aug. 31st, 97

              Hon. George W Cromer,

                                                   Muncie, Ind.

Wish you success tonight. Accept my subscription for $25.

                                                             George F. McCulloch.

This was not all however, and the mayor was a short time later informed that Bennie Hope, who had reserved the right to sell refreshments at the Labor day ball, which would be held in Shirk's hall, had decided to donate all profits he derived from that event to the fund. This will amount to quite a sum and will be accepted with gladness on the part of the executive committee. Thus, with about $300 assured the Mayor feels satisfied that the people will not stop until the Magic City has placed herself at the head of the list and will again have her fair fame heralded throughout the country.