Troops sent to contain the Pullman strikers

In 1894, workers organized by the American Railway Union stopped working when the Pullman Palace Car Company reduced wages without also lowering living costs in its company owned housing. Violence connected with this three month boycott resulted in thirty deaths and $80 million in property damage. Nationwide people sent aid packages to strikers while many criticized Pullman Palace Car Company president George Pullman for his treatment of the workers.