The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-14
WALLACE TO wAnDNER.
scenes Along the Line OF March-Ths
Nom Union Hegira.

| Non-Union Hegira.
WALLACE. July 13-tSrecial. H. Wallace
has two distinetions Just now. Il IL under
martial law, along with tho other parts of
shoshone county, and ii has moro liars in
Its population than can bS found in all
Idaho. Every man Ia ready to believe or
say anything. and rumors of ali sorts grow
into astonishing absurditiea. The pres-
ont condition OF affairs illustrates
the real spirit and excitement Of
intense war. The miners not only declared
for certain things, but went to work in tor
rlble earnestness. They organized picket
guards under official orders. They estab-
lished outposts In tho mountains near Wal
lace and Wardner. They acted under
thorough discipline, and besides were
armed and evidently ready to fight to the
death. They even went 30 far AZ to inter
fere with tho progress of federal troops
The streets Of Wallace indicated the out
ward peaco of New England town
last evening. A few miners, armed with
Winchestsrs. were about the depot and
when they disappeared their places were
taken BY others. There was An atmosphere
OF Suppressed excitement. but then there
was no noise, nor even loud talking. The
saloons had bssn closed during the after
noon, nnder advice Of the leaders. The
men with Winchesters loft early during tho
evening for the Banker Hill and Sullivan
properties at Wardner. They marched all
she way, twelve miles. and joined their
comrades who had seized the mills ON the
previous night. One hundred s,med mon
were left around Wallace to prepare for
any unlooked-for emergency. These mon
Kept very close to the miners' headquarters
when the local leaders were waiting to
leave for Wardner, if necessary. The
headquarters is drug ssore given up to the
use Of the union. A large room is filled
with heaps of -four sacks, sacks of bacon
and coffee, which the striking miners have
secured under orders. These have been
given by union men in other towns. The
city of Butte alone sent $4,000. few Win
chesters lying about were the only indioa-
tlons OF military headquarters. Wallace
had been fixed upon as a supply post. and
here were gathered the forces from Mullan,
Granite. Gem. etc., who made the attack on
the Bunker Hill.
ito rumors of military reinforcements,
After midnight the sound of drum called
forth people from every inhabitable build
ing in the city. The remaining forces of
the union appeared on the corner of the
leading avenues without warning. To all
it seemed as though the drum brought
the first tidings Of genuine war,
but all we're disappointed when they
learned that the drum taps came from
hurdy house and were intended to bring
trade. Nevertheless few psorle retired.
Those who did were greeted with the news
that three companies Of colored troops of
the Twenty-ffth infantry of Fort Missoula
had arrived and breakfastsd at Mullan carly
in the morning. It was true. but the
soldiers were unable to move farther up the
canyon toward Wallace. One bridge on
this narrow route of perhaps seven miles
was burning and portions of the track had
been removed. The union element left in
Wallace had been busy during the night,
for aside from the destruction OF the
railway property = band of men had
climbed the steep sides of one OF
the mountains enclosing the town. From
this point they would almost command an |
army approaching the city through the |
canyon. The troops made no attempts to !
reach Wallace. When the attorney of tho |
union men asked Capt. Sanborn in COM
mand to hold back his men that officer said |
that from . higher source he had received |
orders to return as he came.
Tho troops are now encamped some dis. |
tance back Of Mullan. Though the battle
field had been transferred from Canyon |
creek to the Bunker Hill mine, no reliable
news of affairs there could be secured. The
train carried coach full of would
DO spectators, many sympathizers with the
miners and the newspaper men who had ex-
pected that the presence of colored troops
might incite riot here. There were signs
of warfare along the route. Mounted cour-
ie.s with Winchesters across the saddles were
frequently seen along the highway which
threads the creek and railway line. This
TO ce had been kept up during the night,
and Peter Breen, who rode from Wallace to
WSsdner aftor IL O'Clock, and returned
early il the morning, says that he gave the
password not loss than hundred times be-
Tore he reached the Bunker Hill mill.
Not only WAS the mill in charge Of the
miners. but they were all over the surround
ng hills. behind boulders and stumps,
ready to pick off the enemy whenever in
7iew. Before the Wallace train reached
treaty Of peace had been arranged
Manager Clement. OF the Bunker Hill and
Sullivan company, was asked to visit the
mill. He saw 400 miners with guns. tho
majority at the mill. but others scattered
10 that tho entire camp WAS COM
handed. Then Mr., Clement was
escorted to the lower floor OF
he two big mills. Then he saw hundreds
If cartridges Of giant powder arranged 50
hat the burning Of a single fuse would
,ave thrown the entire works over the
mountain. He was told that the
match would be touched if he
lid not agree to send the non union
nen out of the camp at once. He consented,
hough the miners did not give up the place,
Until the mon had left it. They were sus-
,icious that there would be a breach of
aith.
The visitors from Wallace found the
lepot platform at Wardner covered with
Ion-union men ready to lenve.
Iinaling with them were labor
ieutcnants sent to herd them
ogether and watch their movements,
Behind the depot were = dozen or more
nsn with ritlss. All the proceedings were
cry quiet and even humorous. The plat
nim WAS covered with trunks, bedding
nd provisions which were very carelessly
Lad tka mus l