The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-12
A Gar Loaded With Giant Powder
Is Sent Down tho Long
Tranway.
Pitched Battle Waged All Day Long
by Union and Nom Union
Men.
Five Men Killed and Several 9th
ers Badly Injured In the
Melee.
mination of the Strained Relations
Existing Between Miners and Mine
Owners in the CEnr d'Aisnes

Owners in the Coeur d'Aisnes
WALLACE, Idaho July IL Special. -
The strained relations between the Miners
union and Mine Owners association oulmi-
mated to-day in great loss of life and
destruction OF property At the Gem and
Frisco mines. From early this morning
till late in the afternoon a regular battle Of
armed forces was fought desperately, and
with awful results. During the early even
ing of yesterday large numbers OF armed
men began to arrive at Gem and affairs
took on an ominous appearance. No vio-
lenoe was offered, but the managers Of the
mines and the n-union men at work were
greatly alarmed, and instead Of retiring or
going to work az usual, went on guard for
the protection of their lives and property.
No shots were fired during the night but it
would seem that both parties we're entrench-
ing themselves for the expected conflict.
The non-union men had erected breast
work around the Gem mill, and ono made
of rocks and timber on the hillside served
as protection.
Tho cover of night soon obscured the
whole scene, 80 that the maneuvers of either
side were little known to the other, but
both were sure that the other WAS preparing
for battle, and the women and children
were moved out of town to places of safety.
The union men had control of the town
and made arrangements to protect citizens
and property az far as possible. About
three O'Clock in the morning the union
forces began patrolling the town and scat
tering out to its outskirts. All was peace
till about five O'Clock, when a rifle report
startled the camp. Then followed three
more in rapid succession. Where they
came from is not yet known. The union
men claim that the guards shos first. and
the guards say the union men fired upon
them. A few minutes after the rst shot a
non-union man was shot through the
breast while going from the company's mill
over to town. Then a regular fusilads be-
gan from the men behind the rocks and
stumps on the hillside and regular skirm-
ish began for advantage on the hillside, in
which the union men gained point at the
stock of the fume at tho ore mill.
Here lot Of giant powder WAS loaded
into q car aud sent down the tramway to
the ore bin of the Frisco mine, but it ex-
ploded before reaching it and did but little |
damage. Then the connection was torn |
from the penstock and pipe to the water
wheel of the mill, and down this was slid |
with lighted fuse 25O pounds of powder,
which exploded and leveled tho structure
to the ground. Adjoining the mill was an
other building, into which many of the |
men had gathered for shelter.
and from the Windows OF this they ran out |
flags of truce, which the union men re-
spected, and thus ended the battle. The
men surrendered themselves
and arms to the unionists, who marched
them down town to the union hall. So far
as heard from no indignities we're offered.
After matters had quieted down it was
learned that five men had been killed by
bullets. Three of them are supposed to be
union men and two non union. Eleven
men were badly wounded in the blown up
mill, but so none il known to be killed,
it is feared that some were caught
under the falling timbers.
After the union men got possession OF the
arms they turned them over TO deputy
marshal, who. with two men on a hand car,
started to Wallace. but were met below
town by squad of men who demanded
hem. and to whom they were turned over.
During the day no trains ran through the
.own. all communications were cut of and
;he most wildly exaggerated reports OF the
killing spread over the surrounding country
md great uneasiness was felt for the safety
If life, and some people moved their fami-
les out Of the country.
About four O'Clock train on the Union
Pacific brought down to Wallace the sur
endered men and injured ones. An hour
ater another train brought down the five
lead bodies. and it was a desperate sight
indeed when thsv were loaded onto drays
nd hauled through tho town. followed by a
inc of men carrying Winchesters. The
nen looked fntigued and worn. and \
olemn hush hung over the scene. 'rhs
'odies OF the nom union men were taken to
ne place without n follower. and those Of
ne union 10 another, followed by = great
hrong.
The incidents that led up 10 the trouble.
nd which seem TO have precipitated the
'sttls. were series of quarrsls by men IN
ler the influence of liquor, in which the
differences Of the trouble between the