The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-02
OREGON TROOPS READY
Two Factions Fighting for a
Smelter Near Portland.
LUCK OF TWO SPECiu ATQRS
LUCK OF TWO sPEcuLAToRs.
Supreme Court Refuses to Interfere
in Agricultural College Case.
Fires at Wooley and Tumwater-
Great Northern Track to Reach
Mount Vernon This week-Suit for q
Million Against Barker Ladd.

has been trouble brewing among the
stockholders of the Portland Smelling and
Refining Company for some time past,
which has resulted in Messrs. Selover and
Bunker, who built the works, taking pos
session of them with the intention of hold
ing them by force OF arms. This evening
force of Thiel's detectives" have gone
down to the works, whiehsare seven miles
below the city, for the purpose of ousting
the men in possession and capturing the
smelter. A reporter has been dispatched
to see what the outcome is to be, but has
not yet returned.
Tie history of the matter in brief is as
follows: William Seloyer and C. F.
Bunker came here about two years ago
with the intention of organizing a COM
pany aild building smelling works. As
they did not appear to have any capital
they were looked upon as adventures, and
business men took no stock in their
scheme. They persisted, however, and
finally succeeded in bonding large tract
OF land on the river below town, which
they laid out as the town of Linnton, and
by shrewd management succeeded in SELL
ing lots enough to pay for the land and
build very complete smelter with
two furnaces. A number of busi-
ness men subscribed for some $751;
600 of the stock of the concern,
thus furnishing money for making test
of the plant, which proved very satisfac-
tory, several carloads of bullion being pro-
duced, with fine showing of profit. Then
the stockholders subscribed a guaranty
fund of $100, 900 in order to raise money to
buy more ores and start the works running
permanently. Before this fund was sub
scribed Selover and Bunker had to resign
the controlling interest into the hands of
an executive committee appointed by the
stockholders. it being agreed, as they
claim, that Selover should continue as di-
rector and Bunker secretary of the COM
pany. The executive committee, however,
removed them from these positions, upon
which they seized the works, as above
stated, and employed armed men to de-
fend them. Whether any battle has taken
place will be known when the reporter re-
turns.
The correspondent returned at 1:30 this
morning from Linnton, where he found
everything quiet. Seven of Thie's detec-
tives, who have been ON the ground since
3 o'clock, threatened to make an attack on
the smelter, but desisted when they
learned the size of the other party. Sell
over is at the works and says he
is prepared to resist any attack
of detectives. He has several armed
men on guard and forty employees who
can be used TO defend the works. A dep
uty sheriff is with him and will assist him
in keeping off the Thiel men. Tonight
the works are running in full blast.
Seiover did not expect trouble to-
night, but fears it tomorrow, when
the Thiel men will be reinforced
by others from this city. Governor PEN
noyer will be asked to call out the Ma
tional Guard tomorrow if the matter still
looks serious. The First regiment is in
readiness to proceed to Linnton.
SPOKANE, Aug. Especial. Henry B.
Clifford, of New York, arrived here last
night, and today at alargely attended pub
lie meeting laid before the citizens propo-
sition for starting the Spokane smelter,
which has been completed nearly year
Mr.. Clifford proposed to deposit $75, 900, if
the citizens would organize company and
deposit lika amount, the Spokane COM
pany TO buy and furnish ores and the
smelter company to reduce them, the
profits to be divided equally between the
two companies. At meeting of citizens
this evening it was unanimously resolved
to accept Mr.. Clifford's proposition. It is
expected that the new company will be
able to control a large share of the ore
from the surrounding country now being
sent to Montana towns, Tacoma and other
points