St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-13
Mad Italians and Austrians
Fire on a Sheriff's Posse
in Colorado.
The Officers Return the Hot
Compliment and Kill Half
q Dozen.
FrenZied Strikers Swear Rec
Venge and Surround the
Sheriff'S Men.
Bloody Work Probable--The
Militia and RescuerS in
Readiness.


the miners at the mines of the Colorado
Coal ard Iron company at Crested
Butte, has resulted much more seriously
than was at first anticipated, and there
are are yet indications of further blood
shed before the matter is settled. About
two weeks ago 500 Austrian and Italian
miners, employed at these works, went
out on strike because of a proposed
reduction of wages announced by the
company.
Since the men went out they have been
very ugly, refusing to allow the COM
pany to bring in new men, have stopped
the pumps and fans at the works. al
lowing 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 to assist the company in
any manner. Yesterday Sheriff Shores,
of Gunnison, arrived there with posse
of twenty-five men for the purpose Of
taking possession and guarding the
mines.
A Rash Attack.
No sooner had the sheriff and his men
alighte6 from the train when they were
attacked by about 200 armed Sicilians
and AustrianS, who began firing with
their Winchester rifles. The officer held
his men for moment and then ordered
them to return the fire, which they did
with deadly effect, killing five Italians.
Two Austrlans were fatally wounded.
After the firing the miners retreated
and the Sheritf'S posse marched up the,
hill and took possession of the mines
and threw up redOubts.
The sheriff and his posse are now in
possession of the town, and are en-
trenchlng themselves at the mines in
order TO resist an attack, which is eX-
pected tonight. The Italian miners are
furious over their repulse, and are
swearing revenge upon every one con-
nected with the Colorado Coal and Iron
company, or engaged in enforcing the
law III protecting the property of the
company. This evening no one will
venture beyond the redoubts, which
have been hastily constructed for fear
that chance shot may find a mark.
Treachery and Ambush
are apprehended more than open as
Sault. All of the strikers are armed
and more weapons are being distributed
throughout the camps which theyOc-
cupy. No one seems to know where the
war equipment of the Italians comes
from. and the conviction is forced that
a combination against capital has been
secretly organized during the past few
months just to meet an emergency of
this character.
The last strike at this point was set
tied by arbitration, without recourse to
violent measures, and the understands
ing at the time was that a permanent
settlement of all the trouble had been
erected. They were not then prepared
for resistance, and the current opinion
is that the leaders ordered a suspension
of hOstilities so they could prepare for
this one, and become master of the stu
alton.
The struggle is on, and the conflict
started by the belligerent miners has
already resulted in the disastrous con-
outlined above. Even worse
is anticipated this evening, and while
every one has confidence in the sheriff.
there are few who think he can stand
out against the overwhelming forces Of
the strikers.
Arson, PiIlage and Rapine
will ensue if the sheriff is beaten off
from the coal companies property.
Every man in town not identified with
the strikers is being sworn in and sup
piled with ammunition. The Denver
d Rio Grande railroad company, in eX-
pectation of the incendiary torch. has
removed all its equipments and rolling
stock from Crested Butte, and ali
traffic will be suspended until the
trouble is over. Tonight will bring the
crisis, but as the sheriff is fortified the
critical moment may pass in peace. In
the event of an attack, hundreds will be
killed, as the orders are, ''shoOt to kill"
The governor seems to be OF the opin-
ion that he Will not be called upon to
support the sheriff with the state militia.
though Adjt. Gen. Kennedy says that
an hours notice is all that IS necessary
to get move ON the state troops if re-
CURED. The governor has notified the
Italian consul officially of the situation
at Crested Buttee, and has requested
him to go down and call his countrymen
off before the situation becomes more
grave.
GUNNEsoN, Col. Dec IA party is
organized here and ready to start for
Crested Butte when called upon. Their
guns are stacked in a hardware store
here, and upon signal from the fire
bell the party will march to the scene
Of the riots.
Later-Shores has just telegraphed
for twenty well armed men.