This Day in History: 1913-05-07

The bitter strike in Paterson almost spilled over into Mahwah. Groups of strikers spread out from Paterson to disrupt workers in neighboring towns. A large Group arrived in Ridgewood and stopped work in the water plant and other businesses large and small, threatening workers with violence if they did not stop work. They spread outward into Waldwick and two arrived in Allendale. Ramsey organized a special police force to supplement a number of sheriff’s deputies who came from Hackensack. They were armed with clubs and watched all roads into town. No strikers appeared in Ramsey or in Mahwah. Arrangements were made, however, to reconvene these special officers by six taps on the Ramsey Fire Bell so that all men could be alerted to protect their property. (Bristow)