The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-12-30

many OF the men who composed the drait.
whose air was quiet and well behaved, and
told them if there should be violence on
board the vessel I noped all the well-dis-
posed would absent themselves from the
immediate scene; that none should be pres
ent unless they wished to be participants
/ asked that they would communicate what
had said to the other men, as would re.
gret very mucn II any OF them should be
killed by acci dent.
Afterwards l congratulated myself on
this forethought, as my advice was acted
upon not only by those who had no evil
design, but also by ten or fifteen of those
who were willing to abet the leaders as far
as they could do SO without encounterine
the perils inseparable from Il violent con-
tempt OF lawful authority.
Soon after, in conversation with Captain
Tinklepaugh, he informed me that TIE
action of some OF my men convinced him
that he would be obliged to shoot them to
secure the safety OF his command and OF
the passengers entrusted to his care, and
that he wished my presence whenit became
necessary. replied that If the necessity
arrived, thought it belonged to me to
recognize the fact by giving the order to
fire, to which he assented with evident re-
defer it until the men over powered us and
had actual possession of the vessel. l
told him would guard well that point, and
he appeared satisfied, although deeply con
cerned for the safety Of his command.
1t is necessary to explain that the vessel
was side-wheel steamer; just abaft the
wheel houses a strong partition was built
of open woodwork, reaching to the hurri-
cane deck. The one on the starboard side
was kept securely fastened and strong
| door that could be locked was used on the
port side, near which was the hatchway to
the cabin below. This gangway was then
the necessary point OF attack unless it
came from over the hurricane deck, with
very imperfect ladders to reach it from the
open deck forward OF the men.
At 2 p. m. the dinner was served to the
draft, and as previously instructed, Boat
swain Bell called the principal malcontents
to pronounce upon it. 1t consisted OF very
good fresh beef, boiled potatoes. hard
bread OF excellent quality, and tea or coffee
IT'S preferred. Kelly and ;lssell, in answer
to the boatswain's inquiry, said that the
dinner was satisfactory, and added, doubt
less with irony, perfectly So" Their
feigned dissatisfaction up to that time was
but a pretext for the evil conductintended,
which they now proceeded to carry into
effect. The boatswain, not accustomed to
irony from sailors, was quite deceived, and
| coming to me said there would be no dfi
Guilty; that, on inspecting their dinner, the
men expressed themselves perfectly salts
| fed.' This averment on his part did not
| deceive me. The earnest manner and ex-
| cited expression OF countenance OF the per-
sons l looked down upon from the hurri-
cane deck where was seated, were full OF
| meaning. was armed with a navy revol-
| yer, which, however, was not visible.
Captain Tinklepaugh was in the port
| gangway, and near at hand, all armed with
! large revols.rs, were Chief Engineer Phelps
DR.. Gibbs OF the vessel, DR.. Woodward, Ia
passenger) and Mr.. Bell, the boatswain
also some others who had been made aware
Of the intended attack.
A messenger from Captain Tinklepaugh,
who knew where I had stationed myaaM,
informed me that the men had made asIat-
tack on the port gangway. l hurediy
the hurricane deck saw Kelly with his
hands on Captain Tinklepaugh, thrnsting
him back violently and Russell engaged in
like manner with the chief engineer. A third,
who apparently first endeavored to pre-
vent an immediate attack, seeing it ineffect
ual, joined ferociously in it, while dozen
or more men filled up the rather narrow
gangway as far as it was visible.
The moment l saw the condition OF af-
fairs gave the command to fire, and i'm
mediateiy shot Kelly dead and snapped
my pistol at the third man, who ran as
soon as the shooting began, and was pre-
ceded by those forward Of him in the gang
way. Several other shots were fired by
the gentlemen referred to, one OF whom
must have killed Bussell, although the tes
tlmony on my trial attributed it to me.
Both OF these men were herculean in build
kelly some inches over six feet in height
and Bussell somewhat under six feet, heav
lily built and muscular. The chief eng gineer,
xvhn ondoo vnrinu tn prayapt tho a6-
vance of Bussell, had his hand upon his
breast with the thumb and forefinger wide
ly separated. The ball that killed Bussell
cut lightly a part OF the flesh between.
No other injury occurred to any one.
Captain Tinklepaugh suggested at once
that we could now pursue and secure the
other men; but it seemed to me that some
hours after would be a more opportune
time. passed almost Immediately to the
forward part of the hurricane deck; and, as
soon as l gained the attention OF the men
and there was silence, l said that violence
on the part of some of them had been met
by force, and that two or three OF their
number had been killed, which was, perhaps,
more IL matter of regret to me than to any
one of them. had to thank all of them
except small number for their excellent
conduct-the more gratifying because it inn
piled that they felt they owed duty to
COuuCIy StuU UIcII 1uICc IOuO
and spontaneous cheers greeted me, ;,ppar-
emily from every man in sight. On a
further attempt to cheer l told them, by
sign and word, enough, and added: go to
to your dinner and do not allow the occur
renee to disturb you in the least" They
did as they were directed, without excite
mept or confusion.
Captain Tinklepaugh invited some of the
draft to come aft and assist in preparing
the dead men f,r burial; clergyman on
board read the funeral service IN the pres
ence of the captain OF the vessel, myself and
some others, and they were buried before
came aware of the occurrence.
The men who abetted the attack on
seeing the manner in which it was met,
rushed forward and below. in the belief that
they would be pursurd. Some of them
were armed, as l afterwards. learned
thrcuh the steerage passengers, and large
number had knives. Had we followed
them at the time some OF US would doubt
less have been killed on the narrow stair
way, or when below, in the imperfect light
of the steerage, by those whose eyes were
accustomed to the light and found it suf-
ficient for their purpose.
Very soon after the attack, and before |
the burial Of the men, l went below to din.
ner, which had been served some time be-
fore. My seat was near that OF Justice
Field OF the United States Supreme Court |
and his family. was asked if there had
been a disturbance, and replied there had
been one which had been settled. About |
the time we arose from the table a gen.
tleman, in a state OF great excitement, said
he understood several men had been shot |
on board the vessel, and he demanded to |
know the facts in the case.
In few words informed exery one OF
the facts and the situation. A short dis
cussion followed, in which l was asked if |
an organization for defense would not be |
advisable. replied that, whilst had the
belief no further violence would occur,
there was no reason why anything should |
be left to chance, and therefore it seemed to |
me proper that those having arms should |
organize. An officer OF the army, whose
name, l regret, is not remembered, then
took the names of such gentlemen us Of
fered themselves, and thereafter Il watch
was kept and dispositions made to meet
any attempt to seize the vessel, which was
in reality the object OF the attack.
Sworn statements were made before JUS
tice Field from such persons as were best
informed in relation to the matter. The
lind rel, films that 7 bn va since horne fo