Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-12-14
NOT WASTING LEAD
Strikers at Crested Butte At
tack a Posse.
AN EXCHANGE OF POWDER AND SHOT

The Men Open the Gun Play, but Do No
Execution-An Effective VoIIey IN Re-
turn-Three Rioters Probably Fatally
Wounded-The Sheriff in Possession of
the Mines, the Mnitiamen Ordered To
BE in Readiness, bat the Strikers De-
termined to Rule-TaIk of a Compro-
mise.
CRESTED BUTTE, Colo, Dec. 1.-THE
Colorado Coal and Iron company's coal
mine is located just south of this city
aud there are employed about 800 miners,
all of whom are Italians and Hungarians.
The last week in November the company
gave orders that on the 1st of the month
reduction of 10 per cent. in wages would
be made. Meetings We're held by the
miners and it was decided that a strike
should be inaugurated. When the reduc-
tion was made every man quit work and
not pound of coal was taken out. Since
the men went out they have been ugly,
refusing to allow the company to bring
new men; have stopped the pumps and
fans at the works allowing them to fill
with gas until there is danger of the
mines blowing up. and have paraded the
streets heavily armed, threatening death
to any one who should attempt 10 assist
the company in any manner
Attacked the SheriG7s Posse.
The situation became SO alarming FRI
day that Sheriff Shores was sent for at
Delta in a special train. He arrived at
home Friday night and organized posse
of twenty two men and started for this
city, arriving here at II O'Clock midnight.
1t was the intention to pull quietly into
town and get the men into the coal niue
before the strikers We're aware of their
presence. The strikers were all on the
street in body, and saw the train COM
ing in. When the coaches stopped near
the coal chute the strikers, 200 strong,
made a rush as the posse alighted to gain
the mine ahead of the officers. Then the
strikers began firing upon them at a dis
tance of 100 yards
The Fire Returned with Telling Effect.
Sheriff Shores men got behind the rail-
road grade and when the bullets were
coming too thick be ordered his men to
open fire. and such volley from their
WinchesterS poured into the strikers that
t. was instantly telling in its effect. After
seven or eight rounds were fired the
one was killed outright. but twelve were
wounded, Mike Copuicine, Mike Mime
Ion, Mike Guercio. Mike Warn and john
Poche, Ital!ans and George Simonici and
Matt Grahake Austrians. badly 80 far
as known only one man was fatally in
jured The sncrif'> posse then took pos
session of the mine aud have kept ~eaJI-
ueIs on guard ever since.
Een nforcements FOR the Sheriff
The news spread like wildfre that seven
strikers had been killed, aud Shores and
one or two of his men. At his nome in
Gunnison when this news was received the
excitement ran high, and another posse
OF thirty men was got together Saturday
afternoon and a special train arrived here
about ) o'clock. They were heavily armed
If it had been found ont that Shores was
injured 1t Is probable that every Hunga-
rign and Italian in town would have been
massaCred. W hen the train arrived every
thing was quiet and the strikers were
! holding a meeting The posse went to
| the mine and Joined Shores men.
The NIi!itil Notified To Be Ready.
The situation is critical and riot is
! likely to occur at almost any minute If
| the strikers make a RAID upon the mine it
Is safe TO say that no, striker viii get
away without being killed or wounded.
Sheriff Shores l. one OF the best officers
and detect .ves in the west and with
posse of good men he Will hold the fort
against aii the strikers combined. He
wiz; protect the compsuy'- property at all
! q yards. The governor has notified the
| militia to Teman IN readiness far a c.lL
A Dangerous Quiet Prevails
Everything was quiet here last nigh {.
hut the strikers say they are det ermined
| that no men shall work in the mines until
their grievances are adjusted. Three of
the men shot by the sheriff's party are
| thought to be in dying condition. The
sheriff still has possession of the mines.
A conference viii be held between the
miners and operators, and the trouble