Camp Dump Strike
Encyclopedia
The Camp Dump Strike was a labor dispute that began on March 9, 1882 at the Burlington Yards in Omaha, Nebraska
. The event pitted state militia against unionized strikers. It was reportedly the first strike by organized labor in Nebraska and the first Omaha riot to receive national attention.
around Downtown Omaha
, the strikers formed a picket line
at the dump for better pay. Hundreds of workers from other industries joined the strike in solidarity.
Nebraska Governor Albinus Nance
called in the Nebraska state militia to subdue the strikers. On March 12, eight companies arrived in Omaha with the stated purpose of protecting strikebreakers. The city's first Catholic Church was used as a headquarters for the militiamen. Soon after their arrival, riot
ing began. During this initial surge of violence, a striker whose last name was Armstrong was killed after he tried to cross strike lines and was bayonet
ed by the militia.
Omaha pioneer Erastus Benson
was the first lieutenant of Company H in the First Nebraska National Guards during this period. After the death, he was put in charge of the Nebraska militia. U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Fort Omaha
arrived as well, bringing Gatling gun
s and a cannon with them.
The Army's arrival is credited with ending the violence and the strike. A number of strike leaders were arrested for "assault with intent to kill" because of fights that broke out among the picketers.
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. The event pitted state militia against unionized strikers. It was reportedly the first strike by organized labor in Nebraska and the first Omaha riot to receive national attention.
Events
Approximately 75 workers from a Burlington Railroad grading operation began picketing at the Burlington dumping yards in Omaha. After being paid $1.25 per ten-hour day since their job began, they struck for $1.75 and rejected a compromise offer of $1.40. After paradingParade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
around Downtown Omaha
Downtown Omaha
Downtown Omaha is the central business, government and social core of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area, and is located in Omaha, Nebraska. The boundaries are 20th Street on the west to the Missouri River on the east and the centerline of Leavenworth Street on the south to the centerline...
, the strikers formed a picket line
Picket line
A picket line is a horizontal rope, along which horses are tied at intervals. The rope can be on the ground, at chest height , or overhead. The overhead form usually is called a high line....
at the dump for better pay. Hundreds of workers from other industries joined the strike in solidarity.
Nebraska Governor Albinus Nance
Albinus Nance
Albinus Roberts Nance served as a soldier during the American Civil War, and is well known for being the fourth Governor of Nebraska.-Early life and Civil War:...
called in the Nebraska state militia to subdue the strikers. On March 12, eight companies arrived in Omaha with the stated purpose of protecting strikebreakers. The city's first Catholic Church was used as a headquarters for the militiamen. Soon after their arrival, riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
ing began. During this initial surge of violence, a striker whose last name was Armstrong was killed after he tried to cross strike lines and was bayonet
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
ed by the militia.
Omaha pioneer Erastus Benson
Erastus Benson
Erastus A. Benson was a banker, investor and land speculator in Omaha, Nebraska. Born and raised in Iowa, after graduating from the University of Iowa Benson speculated in land around Omaha. After investing in early business ventures in the phonograph and the Kinetoscope, Benson staged an...
was the first lieutenant of Company H in the First Nebraska National Guards during this period. After the death, he was put in charge of the Nebraska militia. U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Fort Omaha
Fort Omaha
Fort Omaha, originally known as Sherman Barracks and then Omaha Barracks, is an Indian War-era United States Army supply installation. Located at 5730 North 30th Street, with the entrance at North 30th and Fort Streets in modern-day North Omaha, Nebraska, the facility is primarily occupied by ...
arrived as well, bringing Gatling gun
Gatling gun
The Gatling gun is one of the best known early rapid-fire weapons and a forerunner of the modern machine gun. It is well known for its use by the Union forces during the American Civil War in the 1860s, which was the first time it was employed in combat...
s and a cannon with them.
The Army's arrival is credited with ending the violence and the strike. A number of strike leaders were arrested for "assault with intent to kill" because of fights that broke out among the picketers.
See also
- Timeline of riots and civil unrest in Omaha, Nebraska
- History of Omaha
- Crime in OmahaCrime in OmahaCrime in Omaha, Nebraska has varied widely, ranging from the city's early years as a frontier town with typically widespread gambling and prostitution, to civic expectation of higher standards as the city grew, and contemporary concerns about violent crimes related to gangs and dysfunctions of...