Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-05-12
LAKE SUPERIOR.
A Widespread Miners Conspiracy
Millions of Property Threatened.
The Civil Authorities POWerless.

DETROIT, MICH, May 1.-THE Detroit
Free Press of tomorrow morning will
contain the following startling intelligence
from Lake Superior: s.-
"HoughtOR, Mich, May 8, 1872.-To
His Excellency HIP. Baldwin, Governor of
Michigan, Lansing-Sir :-One week ago to-
day astrike was organized in the Calumet
and Hecta and Schoolcraft mines, by the
employees refusing to work. Wages were
raised materially and all reasonable de-
mands of the strikers have been complied
with. A portion of the men have kept the
whole force inundated by threats of vio-
lence and vengeance upon all that would
work, and by actually throwing rocks at
the men peacefully employed and driving
them from their work. The
people are many of them poor and want to
work, but on account of our peculiar situa-
ton in the country and the dread of the
strikers, the civil power is inadequate to
furnish them the protection that they need
from lawless violence. The property of the
company is threatened with destruction
and especially the miners pumps. There is
grave apprehension of immediate danger to
persons and property. We have no arms
for military organization here to aid the
civil power in preserving good order. The
strike within the last two days has become
general in the country at all the large mines.
The force of the strikers organized amounts
to more than 1900 men. Threatening
anonymous letters are being sent to the
various agents and others putting them in
fear. boats are expected soon with Ia
borers from other States and countries and
they will be necessarily destitute when
they arrive and will want to 20 to work at
once. a reasonable apprehension exists
that the Iawless organization will prevent
tnem and therefore we call upon your EX-
cellency for immediate military aid to as
sist the court authorities in the execution
of process and the preservation of property
and public peace, and request that two
companies of infantry be sent to this cOUn-
ty for said object with the greatest dispatch
possible. Allow me TO suggest if there are
troops in Chicago they can reach here
much in advance of any others.
BARTHOLOMEW SHEAR,
Sheriff of Houghtm County.
l am conversant with the foregoing facts
as set forth by the Sheriff, and accordingly
certify to their correctness.
JAS. O'GRADY,
Circuit Judge 18th Judicial Circuit.
The dispa;ch to Gov. Baldwin, though
dated the Sth, was not received at Detroit
until O'Clock Oh Saturday, the 18th, hav-
ing been sent to Lansing, and been unac-
eountably delayed in its transmission.
Immediately on its receipt. GcY. Baldwin
promptly telegraphed to Lieut.. Gen. Sheri-
dan at Chicago, requesting troops. Gen.
Sheridan in reply said that all the available
troops in his command had been dispatched
to Fort Laramie and the plains, and were
some days on the route. Application was
then made to Maj. Gen. P. Stegorge Cook,
at Detroit, commanding, the Department OF
the Lakes, who at once ordered a company
Ofinfantry from Fort Wayne on the De
troit river, three miles below this city.
Tie troops are now being got in readiness,
and the steamer Atlantic is being laden
with munitions and equipments, and will
sail at an early hour in the morning, taking
another company at Sault Ste Marie.
Further information received by the
Free Press at late hour, gives rise to the
belief that the disorder will spread to the adj
Joining towns. Lest such should be the
| case, ample precaution has been taken. The
| Calumet and Hecla mine is situated 1G
miles west of Hughton. The town COL
tains population of $3.50, the largest pOr-
ton of whom are miners. The village con-
tains the usual appurtenances of a min
| ing town, such as stamp mills, repair shops
immense pumps, wharves and steam en-
| gines, the usual number and variety of ma.
chine shops, two churches and like num-
Der of school houses help to increase the
Importance Of the place, a goodly portion o.
which is built up with dwellings owned By
the mining company.