The Associated Press
GASTONIA, N.C. (AP) - A police chief killed during the historic Loray Mill strike 75 years ago was honored Monday with the dedication of a bridge in his name.
The Loray strike began in the spring of 1929 when workers reacted to declining pay and poor working conditions, such as stretch-outs - when they had to speed up production for the same pay. Also at issue was recognition of the Communist-affiliated National Textiles Workers Union. When mill management refused to negotiate, community tensions grew.
Gastonia Police Chief Orville F. Aderholt was shot dead On June 7, 1929, when he and his officers went to the union hall to respond to a disturbance.
Dennis Aderholt remembers the stories he heard as a youth from his grandfather about the mild-mannered, compassionate uncle who died protecting the lives of others. Police and city officials recounted some of the same tales Monday.
“This was a wonderful ceremony and I was very moved,” said Dennis Aderholt, a great-great-nephew of Orville Aderholt. “It was unfortunate that the chief lost his life trying to protect the citizens of Gastonia, but he was doing what he thought was right.”
The Gastonia Police Department Honor Guard fired a 21-gun salute in Aderholt’s honor and placed a marker near the Broad Street bridge.
“It is most appropriate that we recognize a man that stood amidst a lot of turmoil,” said Gastonia Mayor Jennie Stultz. “He stood there to do his job.”