Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1892-06-23
RIOTOUS MINERS.
The Strike at Minnesota Mines
Assuming a Serious and
Alarming Aspect.
The Miners Are Desperate and
Threaten to Prevent Opera
tions at Any Cost.

TOWER Mimi, Special, June 2O.-The
opinion was general here to-day that it
would require strong measures, and per-
haps bloodshed in order to restrain the
strikers from interfering with the men who
will be put to work tomorrow at the
Minnesota company mines. They are
determined set. The main disturbing ele-
mcnt being Austrans, many Of whom have
served in the army before coming to this
country, and who do not fear anything
from firearms up to dynamite. Their sue
cess in compelling the deputy shcrtfs to
leave the mines yesterday on peril Of their
lives has added to their fearle-sness and
recklessness until some of them, il threats
count Tor anything, seem to think they
own the earth.
There were about six hundred men in the
strike yesterday. accordidg TO deputy shcr-
IFS, and by clever flank movement they
completely surrounded the deputies, many
of whom had never sme!lcd powder. The
sheriff saw that his men were weakening
and came to the conclusion that discretion
was the better part of valor. To-day ru-
mors are current that the strikers will
force the whole mining contingent to the
extent of ], 500 men to 90 out. These ru-
mors were SO alarming that Sheriff Sharvy
determined to send for two additional COM
panies from West Duluth before attempting
to start the mines. Company A. Third
regiment Minnesota National guards, ar
rived this morning with forty-seven men,
Capt. Tear III command. The are quar-
tered with some forty deputy sheriffs
ARMED WITH RIFLES
at the Minnesota Iron companys old ma
chine shops, about quarter OF mile from
the mines, both officers aud men oil the
militia company were anxious to-day to
take possession OF the mines and Hold them
against the strikers The sheriff and GEN
era! Manager y. II. Bacon, o. the Mime
sofa Iron company, determined not to risk
u possible pitched battle without more
men. All forces are waiting the arrival of
the West Duluth contingent, when the
mining machinery will be started. 1t is
the determination OF the sheriff, Capt. Tear
and Mr.. Bacon to show no mercy If the
strikers make an attack. but to shoot low
aud to kill. 1t is believed that if a
few of them nre killed that i, will brin. the
sest to their senses, although yesterday
when they closed in on deputy sheriffs
they shouted, You may kill dozen or
more Qi US. but we will paralyze you in the
end" The men who constitute the strik-
ers are of divers natonalties. There are
Hungarisns. Italians, SIcilans, Fins and
few Poles.
Thus far the Cornishmen most to be
feared have held aloof, as have the Swedes
and Norwegians. but If they join strikers
/: will require several more companies of
soldiers TO do anything with them. Hap
PLY the difficulty arose with portion OF
the surface men, Who took holiday con-
trary to rules and were discharged There
10 also some bad feeling over n reduction OF
10 cents made month ago on the wages of
portion OF the men working above
ground. This reductien was made because
it was very hard to get men TO work below
in mines on account of better wages being
made on the outside Of pits. The men are
very ignorant Glass; who
ACT LIKE BEASTS
when in uriated. and are constantly under
the Influence OF liquor. The presence OF
soldiers or deputy sheritfs among them acts
like red rag upon certain animals. The
mines are rather hard to guard against a
large force Of determined men who are
: very we'll armed with revolvcrs, rifles,
sticks, stores and knives.
The mouths of shafts are all on table
land or em,nencc from 100 to 800 feet above
surrounding country and include an area
OF l60 acres, ON which are nearly dozen
working shafts with expensive hosting
machinery which must be protected. Still
more importance than these is the large
engine, boiler and machinery of the COM
pany which furnishes the motive power to
hoist the ore out of all the STATS 1t is q
very expensive plant perfect in its kind,
which must have cost nearly $1,000, OOO
The strikers could ii so disposed, by put
ting in lew blasts, cause S, 600 900 worth
o! loss in few minutes.
THE MEN ARE DESPERATE
enough for anything. but will not raise any
disturbance unless all attempt is made to
start the mines. Forces large enough to
protect all the property have to be greatly
divided and thus weakened. To the north
ofthc mines is wilderness o: bush, in
which the attacking party can secure good
shelter enabling them 10 approach the
works rom all sides. Thy came down
yesterday on the poor deput $ in this man
ner like the wolf on the iold with babel
oftongues swearing in several unknown
languages. They are like enraged animals
: and not much superior in intelligence.
Upon the receipt of telegram from the
sheriff of Cook county asking for more
troops, Adjt. Gen. Mullen resolved at once
to 20 to the seat of the trouble
Gov. Merriam also received telegram
from the captain OF the West Duluth com
pany stating that special train from
Tower was in waiting, and asking if he
should take his company thither. The
governor Immediately replied in the al.
frmative, and the company forthwith
started Tor the scene of the strike Lieut.,
Col. Shandrew and Assistant Surgeon Van
Duzee of the Third, started for Tower last
night.
Tho War In Venezuela.
Gu1NAN, June 2O.-Auother battle has
49,. Ea..uh4 .ad 4l.a .a..a.a.,a..A 49,