CHAPTER XXVI.

_Blockade of the Great Bridge._

Excitement in East St. Louis—Scenes on “Bloody Island”—Council of the Trainmen—A Night at Heims Hall—Hite’s Thrilling Oratorical Flight—“Oppressed Labor”—“The Executive Committee”—Bold Jack Benson—Organized for Business—Across the Great Bridge—Trains Stopped—Slight Dissension Among the Strikers—Blue Coats in the Early Morning—General Jeff. C. Davis Moves Over—Resigning Potentates—Governor Cullom—General Bates—Exemplary Conduct of the Strikers—The Last Scene. 352