The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-17

W live There until hs got ready to leavs
Several men Who received similar iastruc.
ticns were visited by committees of miners
and told that ths orders were without
authority and that they could remain q
long ~ they pleased. The mine owners il
town moved freely about the streets though
they did very little talking will
shs exception Of Mr.. DAshmst'
Of SAe Granite company. He said aboa,
Whist he pleased. He was told several
times but kept right or talking until hi
awoks to the fact that he had said toe
much. Peter Rresn went to his ONCE and
asked him TO request tho government mot &c
ssnd federal troops saying that IL he did
not no ono could answer for his life. Dash
mutt declined to do il and learned with
much sasisfaction to-day that Breen had
jumped the country to avoid arrest. A
feature of life in the Rarrisoned town illus
trating the careful organization of the
union was the presence of spoilers on all
corners and in all streets. When two OF
three men ware seen talking N Of thsse
fellows would edge along to hear what wal
said. This Intrusion was not resented I'M
I'll troops had arrived when n Of the
sneaks was knocked of the sidewalk. The
miners had IN the other hand secured
themselves against spies by . system of
pass words often changed. Whatever dam
aEe they may have done and however they
may have violated tho laws they are
TO be credited with carrying out csr-
tain commendable orders from
their leaders. Not one of them
the saloons were closed in both places Al
their request and they avoided all personal
encounters with citizens. One explanation
for the latter ia that the oitizens avoided
Thorn. The INDEPENDENT correspondent
found the officers willing to extend all
courtesies. Secretary Poynton and Presi-
dent O'Brien gave him a letter Of introduce
tion as q pass and it was respected at all
times. The secretary said that he was en-
tirely willing to assist a free press which
should be found in a free country. They
likewise gave all Information except that
which concerned their plans of action. The
dispatch that they were especially offensive
to correspondents was wholly false, though
they might find excellent reasons to pro-
test against the mass of lien telegraphed
from this country during the trouble.
The arrival of Uncle Sans boys In blue
was greeted with much jov. For the first
citizens who would not talk for fear
might be marked for future Danish
ment came out on tho streets and expressed
their views of the situation. II then ap-
that the sympathizers with the
miners were in the minority whom it be-
came known the non-union men were to
return. The picture of real military life
also novel and interesting to the peo-
pie of the town. The first troops to arrive
were five companies of the Fourteenth U.
infantry, under command of Col.
Theaker. These we're accompanied by
three companies of state militia.
under command of Col. Curtis.
troops left the special train ready for
marching and prepared for war. Each SOL
der was equipped with rifle, knapsaok,
filled oanteen and ~rations, for no one knew
when they would first be called. The first
camp was pitched on a vacant lot near the
house and within one block from
the center Of the town. The tents were
camp fires lighted aud guards
placed before the crowd of spectators fully
realized that it was military life. Soon af-
printed proclamations from the
appeared announcing "Shoshone
in a state of instruction and rebel
and declaring the county under mar
hal law.
Very few people knew the meaning of
martial law or appreciated the great
authority given to the provost marshal.
Curtis. They formed something of an
ldea when they saw soldiers with Springfield
rifles over their shoulders, pacing all streets,
the depots and corners and along the
,ity limits. The presence of these troops
hundreds of rumors in this breed
ing ground of lies. Some one said that or
had been received by the men to move
IN Mullan and wipe tho fowl from the map
the county. This kept many citizens on
The streets all night, though they saw moth. |
ing but the squads of troops moving to
guard. Hardly anyone saw the
company that started for Mullan soon
two explosions. Mr.. D'Ashmutt
sure it was the Granite mill that had
in the air; others thought it the sig
nal for the series of explosions intended to
remove the last trace of property in the
Cour d'Alenss. 1t turned out serious
for the telegraph correspondents
when they learned that the only wire east
had been cut by exploding a stick of giant
powder under a pole. The following day |
brought n better understanding of the pro-
vost mRrshal's power, when it was found
no one could leave the town without an
order from military headquarters. Ranch
men were stopped by guards on every road
and in all directions, and were required to
the passport. Passengers Oh all
Trains were under the same orders, a soldier
standing at the car steps and collecting the
as e. conductor picks up the tickets.
Instructions were carried out to the letter,
several passengers found themselves
forced to remain in town another day.
was 10 difficulty in securing permits.
for those whose namea appeared on
The black list.
The object Of the order was known when
the arrests of miners commenced. 1t was
TO stop the men wanted from leaving the
Nevertheless many got away and
among them were Peter Breon and Secfe-
taty Dallas, OF Butte, who went TO Mullan,
where they spent the night, and left for
the next day at a station farther up
The road.