The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-25
"HoME GUARDS" ATTACK MINERS.
Non-Union Men From Seattle Pounced
Upon by Armed Strikers.

GILMAN, June 24-[special. l-Six men came
up this morning on the train with Deputy Sher-
in Johnson to go to work in the mine, and were
met at the depot on the arrival OF the train by
Deputy Sheriff Miller, who is on duty here On
the arrival of the train the home guards con-
sisting OF about fifty miners, armed with rifles
and shotguns, were drawn up in line ON the
platform and presented arms towards the cars
The miners had been forewarned, for last
night messenger came over from Newcastle
to tell them that four men were coming to work
this morning, and that two union men, Con
Lynch and another, whose name they refuse 10
give, who had hired themselves to NJ. C. Sulli-
van in order to discover his methods, would be
with them, hence their presence under arms at
the depot Lynch and his confederate jumped
off on the platform and threw of all disguise by
freternizing with the miners. Johnson also
alighted on the platform, but the four men who
had come to work jumped off on the opposite
side of the train.
The four men mentioned started up the track
toward the mine, but were quickly followed by
the home guards, who, with their guns pointed
at them, ordered them back and drove them
toward the station again. Miller and johnson
ran to the spot and warned the miners against
any breach Of the peace, and to allow the men to
go peaceably on their way. They were met
with volley of invective from the women who
were with the armed men, and were roughly
hustled along with their proteges. Several men
on the platform were deputized to assist
the officers, but they were powerless against
such superior numbers, and allowed themselves
to be driven down the road towards the lake.
The deputies ordered the four would-be miners
to go ON down the track, the armed body follow
ing for some distance and then turning back.
The fugitives kept on their way, while the dep
uties returned to town unmolested. The miners
Immediately held a meeting and Miller
telegraphed Sheriff Woolery that il
had been decided to clean out the
az to the miners Intentions reached sullivan's
guards, who are picketed around the mine
twenty-five strong, and their chief telegraphed
Manager Wilson, with the declaration that he
would give them a warm reception. The sheriff
being absent at Walla Walla, Charles Woolery
telegraphed to him and he replied, ordering
Deputy Jack Mcdonald to go Immediately to
Gilman with five men and preserve the peace.
Mcdonald left on a special train with
six men at $50, Deputies Charles Wool
cry and Poor going also to make
q personal inquiry in order to report to the sher-
if on his return at midnight Thur3day.
On the arrival Of the train, about IL o'clock,
succession OF shots, three in the town and three
at the mine, half q mile beyond, aroused the
sleeping town, and the party had scarcely
reached the hotel before knots OF miners were
gathered on the streets and at the station
to ascertain the meaning of the arrival
of the train at such an unwonted hour. Sulli-
van denies ever having hired any men, and de-
nies all knowledge of Lynch and his COM
panion. He says that the men being hired
has nothing to do with this part Of the business
The company is getting out little coal to run
the engines. and has a gang building o fence
around the mine