The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-13
The Bunker Hill and Sullivan
Captured Without Firing
q Single Shot.
The Company Holding an Improv-
ised Fort Uuder a Flag
Of Truce.
Regulars and Militia on the WAY
to tho Scene of Mondays
Trouble.
The Men Say They Have Accom- plished
All They started Out to Do
No More Fighting.

All They Started Out to Do
No More Fighting.
WALLACE, July 12.-[spsoial. Tho Ceur
d'Alens country from end to end is fairly
aflame With excitemsnt tonight. The pros-
peotlvs arrival of federal troops before mid
night. tho presence of hundreds of armed
miners at Wardner. the grief and indigna-
tion of both sides over the result of Mon
days battle. combine to keep the public
mind at tension rarely seen. No ono can
be found willing to predict the events that
may occur before tomorrow evening.
Grievances past or present have been all
but lost to view in the desperate armed
warfare between miners and mine owners.
just now the miners seem to have won a
complete victory in Wallace and tho sur
rounding camps that lie in the canyon
above. They have driven the nom unionsts
from all mines in this district. Mine own
ers have left for fear Of their lives. and the
battlefield has been extended to Wardner.
The war closed here yesterday with the
blowing up of the Frisco mill, the surren-
der of the mine owners, and nonunionsts
or soabs. and the departure of the latter in
all directions. In this struggle five men
were instantly killed by Winchesters and
twenty more moro or less injured by the
explosion at the mill. There is no evil
dence that lives were lost in the latter,
though the mill is a mass of ruins and not
yet thoroughly uncovered. While peace
was restored last evening and all danger
of personal violence in Wallace re-
moved. the miners commenced gathering
here early in the evening. tThey came from
Burke, Gem. Mullan and adjoining suburbs,
and met at the Miners union headquarters.
small frame building on Maiu street.
Nearly every man of them carried Win
chester. small arms and ammunition, and
not only the miners but many citizens
Joined in tho army that started for W. d.
ner. They went in sections, followeu by
many stragRlers. They took several fiat
cars and ran them on the down grade to
Wardner. There was no fighting along the
line nor in the town.
The men wanted possession of the Bun
ker Hill and Sullivan mill, and they got it
with no opposition. Giant powder, a
means of warfare practically tested here
within the pant week. was placed beneath
the mill for use il negotiations failed. The
owners of the property at first had no in
AL.
some distance from the mill they had built
fortress that would compare favorably
to Gibraltar. and behind this mass of logs
we're several hundred non-union men and
hired fighters fully armed and we'll pro-
visioned. Besides, they had two GatlinR
guns ready for use. They did not fire, be-
cause the mine owners appreciated the
presence of 800 pounds OF giant
powder beneath an expensive mill.
Rather than suffer the loss,
before dawn came the siege had ended by
the mine owners acceptance of the be-
siegers' terms. These consisted simply in
the discharge of the new men. George B.
MoCaulley and Manager Clement, of the
Bunker Hill and Sullivan, asked time to
pay the men, settle up and close up the
mine. The request WAS granted and the
owners were given until the evening to ar
range matters. All have now left and the
fortlfication is still in possession of the
company under truce.
Tho miners, however. claim to see signs
of bad faith on the part of the owners.
They learned this afternoon that troops
from Fort Missoula, Fort Ceur d'Alene and
the militia, would be in Wardnsr and Wal
lace before morning, and they believe the
company is holding back for time in order
to secure reinforoemenss. Many OF the
miners returned to Wallace this afternoon,
but new rumors caused them to prepare
again to make their chain of victories COM
plete. The streets of Wallace were filled
with mon during the latter part of the after
noon. and secres consultations were held in
the headquarters.
The gathering soon took shape at the
railway station. when the departure of the
Wsrdner train was looked after. Every
other one came down the street to the
platform with Winchester rifle under his
arm. The leaders. who may be termed Of
ficers in this new army. had evidently
agreed on plan, for. though no train left
because Of a wreck, all Of the men disap-
appeared. and according to Peter Breen, of
Butte, are now we'll on their march to
Wardner. II is believed here that bloody
fight may take place there tonight IL the
company shows any disposition to hedge.
The presence Of troops is not likely to tor
rify this band Of 800 or more men, il a fight
10 started. All are thoroughly determined,
though very quiet.
While tho saloons have been open here
all day there has been very little drinking
aud NO drunkenness. Neither are there
loud discussions on the streets. The ma
jority of citizens here are in sympathy with
the miners. Those who are not have moth
ing to say. The story of the mine owners
concerning the battle yesterday ia difficult
to secure, for all are out Of town for few
days. Mr.. Esler il reported TO have left
town yesterday concealed in q laundry
wagon. A gentleman, CLOSELY connected