The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-16

Citizens to Attack Smelter Today in
Order to Abate a Nuisance.

Citizens to Attack n Smelter Today in
Order to Abate a Nuisance.
BUTTE, Mont, Dec l5.-Gspeeial. 1.-The deadly
fumes from the roast heaps of the Boston and
Montana Company's sInelters hang over the city
like pail. Thirty thousand people suffered
misery for several hours this afternoon, while
sulphur and birthstone filed the atmosphere in
clouds of unusual thickness. Everybody
eoughed and complained. Men and women
went about town with handkerehiefs tied over
their faces. The choking fumes We're almost
uncomfortable. Many people are, already con-
fined TO their beds. The indignation of the peo-
pie is being expressed freely, and it is expected
will reach climax tomorrow.
Dodgers have been distributed about town,
calling Tor mass-meeting of citizens at 9
O'Clock a. m. at the front of the courthouse. 1t
lie proposed to organize Il crowd of men and
teams and go in force to cover the offensive
heaps of redhot copper ore with sand. 1t is
said water cannot put the fires out.
The most prominent citizens of the commu-
nifty at the head of this movement, and are
urging the mayor on 10 heroic means. com
mittce of twenty leading citizens last night
wired a set OF resolutions to President Bigelow,
OF the Boston and Montana company at Boston.
No reply has been received to either the resolu-
tions or kilograms sent by Mayor Mueller, and
this only increases the indignation. The super
intendent OF the works has fed, and nobody can
".
In his telegram the mayor says:
Our citizens are justly indignant at this con-
temptuous treatment and unlawful invasion of
their rights. | deem ii but proper that you
should be advised OF these facts, 10 the end that
you may be afforded an opportunity of correct
ing the great wrong already done by at once
ordering the dlscontiuuance OF this death deal
ing nuisance before still greater injury and loss
results.
One of the resolutions adopted by the citizens
committee reads as follows:
Resotred, That it is the sense of the people OF
the city of Butte and vicinity, expressed by the
proper committee having the matter in Charge
that the Boston and Montana Copper Company,
in again lighting the fire oil the heaps in utter
disregard OF the laws, is guilty of one of the
greatest and most atrocious crimes ever com.
mtted in civilized country; that we believe
number of deaths have already been
hastened in the fiye DAYS these heaps have been
burning; that a fatal epidemic will be pre-
cipitated If they are allowed TO continue their
inhuman and monstrous course; that .sself-
preservation is the first law of nature" and that
the people of Butte win not permit said cor
poration or any other to longer stand in the way
of the full enjoyment of its rights and liberties
and that this plague of death must be stopped
al ell hazards.
The press Of the city is a unit in condemninc
the action of the company. The matter is pend-
ing in court, but the people have determined to
take 1t into their own hands tomorrow. 1t is
not likely the sheriff or police authorities will
interfere.
Seven deaths occurred today.