Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-22
of TIE EVENING STAR.

Correspondence Of TIE EVENING STAR
TOMBSTONE, A. T., August IA, 1884
Your correspondent has been spending few
days in this stirring young city, which is now the
scene OF exceptional excitement The mining in
teest here is the controlling one and gives life and
direction to every department of business Within
the past few years millions Of treasure have been
gathered from these grounds, and this 'god excite
ment" has drawn all classes OF people here from
every part OF the country, so that the population
has been estimated as high as six thousand, though
1t has been much reduced by recent events The
good and the bad elements OF society have met and
mingled In heated strife for pelf and power For
the month OF May six or seven hundred miners vol
unfairly abandoned their work by reason OF re-
ducton OF wages from four to three dollars per day,
which caused
COMPLETE SUSPENSION OF THE MINING OPERATIONS
In this region, with consequent depression Of all
kinds OF business and general distraction OF the
public mind. Private consultations and public
meetings have been frequently held to discuss the
situation and to suggest measures OF compromise,
but all efforts in this direction have, up to this
time, signally failed. The superintendents OF the
mines have positively refused to recede from their
position by raising the prices OF labor, and the
miners union has as ObStinatey declined to accede
to the proposed terms OF the employers. This pro
tracted and passionate contest between capital and
labor has OF late assumed some serious aspects not
only in that 1t has brought number OF individuals
and families to the very door OF destitut1On and
Distress but especially because it has excited fears
o. an actual eneute In the community. In this eX-
cited state of the public mind some were led to be-
l1eve that fOrc1ble seizure of the mines would be
attempted by the malcOntentS; others have anti
c1pated cOnfagratlOn OF the town by the torches
OF 1ncendiares; whilst others again in constant
apprehension OF the private assassination OF prOm-
nent individuals who have been most pronounced
In their views on the situation. SO that secret
feeling OF insecurity and terror has prevailed to
greater or less extent for months among the citi-
zens
BLooDLEss BATTLE.
On last Friday night, however, the popular ex-
element reached its elimination by reason Of an
attack on the Grand Central mine by body OF 40
or so men concealed behind piles OF wood and earth,
at distance OF 50 or 100 yards from the works
From this conceament they fired number OF shots
damage to persons or property, except few bullet
holes In roofs and cnmneyS The fire by The assa1-
ants was promptly returned by the handful OF men
employed at the works. but without fatal effect so
far as known. 1t is popularity believed that the at
tacking party consisted Of members Of the Miners
Union. But whether it was their purpose to kill or
only to fr1ghten those who had renounced their al,
legance to the league and returned to work, is still
vexed question. l find a divided sentiment in the
community on this point. Future developments
may bring to light the true intent OF this assault
As a consequence OF this bold act, the following
card appeard in the Saturdays issue, August 9th,
OF the Tombstone Epitaph, containing the names
OF the superintendent and foremen OF the mines
NOTICE
To whom 1t may concern: Unless the Miners Union
Of Tomb tone formally disband before D. m. Sunday.
August 10th instant and deliver to the sheriff the
sse Sf 5s the xno
night no man whose name is now on the roll Of said
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