The Labor enquirer., 1883-08-11

days been in possession of 300 desperate
men, whose families were suffering be-
cause their wages had not been paid.
They were thoroughly organized, and
have for two days been in possession of
the property of the mines owned by
the Vermont Copper company. Their
ultimatum was that unless the money
was forthcoming at 7:S0 to-nigh they
would destroy the mines with powder
and dynamite and burn the town. 1t
was no idle threat, but the desperate
purpose of wronged and desperate men.
There was need for haste on the part
of the governors troops, that had come
100 miles since sundown yesterday: On
leaving the railroad the soldiers got into
large six-horse wagons and. with their
tent equipments and rations in the rear,
they took up the line of march to Ely.
For three hours the numbering vehicles
slowly assembled the mountain road, and
at sunrise the bleak hilltop of Ely
loomed up before them. When within
two miles of the village the troops alight-
ed and marched in platoons up toward
the mines. The Bradford company,
which had also been called out, had been
brought to West Fairlee in teams at
break of day. This command was order
ed to make strategic movem ent for the
purpose of capturing the powder maya
zine near the mines, containing 40 kegs
of blasting powder. By forced march
they skirted the crown of the hill on the
other side from the mine and village,
descending the side hill, and took pos
session of the magazine, capturing four
armed strikers who we're on guard with
out alarming the village.
Meanwhile the main body of troops
marched through West Fairlee village
for the mines. Adjutant Peck led the
column, Colonel Greenleaf the COM
mander of the troops, following. The
Rutland company had the right of the
column, the Northfeld company came
next, and the Montpelier and St. Albans
companies were in the rear, escorting
Governor Barstow and Quartermaster
General Ide. Up the heights of the vii
lage marched the column, the bristling
rifles and blue uniforms making stirr-
ing scene. The miners homes appeared
deserted, but as the tramp of armed men
sounded along the highway window
blinds we're opened and curtains raised,
disclosing the miners just arousing from
their slumbers. The column was pre-
ceded by High Sheriff Luke Parish and
his deputies, who had warrants for the
arrest of fifteen men. By promptm move
ment they entered the houses of the
miners, arrested the men and hand
cuffed them and put them under heavy
military guard. In this way twelve of
the ringleaders Of the strike we're Sc
cured, and the object Of the expedition
was attained. The sudden appearance
of the troops was complete surprise to
the miners, and they quietly submitted
to the representatives of the law.
It's an infamous outrage that soldiers
should be thus used. 1t is a shame that
men can be found to act in so slavish a
way as this militia has done.
The correspondent entered the village
a little ahead of the main column, and
witnessed the astonishment of the
miners as they caught glimpse of the
advancing soldiers. Nearly every miner
expressed himself as much surprised at
the presence of the troops while some
were angered and uttered ominous
threats. Public sympathy is entirely
with the strikers, who have been shame
fully treated by the mining company.
Many families are on the verge of star
vation. Some women, with children in
their arms, have appealed to the troops
for assistance. Money has been raised
to relieve their immediate wants. The
mining company purpose to pay $4,000
Of their Indebtedness to the men at once
$4,000 next week and the balance, $15,-
$50, as soon as the ore now in process of
refinement can be melted and shipped.
The Bradford company will remain to
guard the property until tomorrow, and
the rest of the troops will return home
tonight. The arrested strikers will be
tolyop to Cba1coo ioi1 to-day, hy N n