The herald., 1893-08-19
LITTLE POMEROY WAR.
That Financier Arms His
Men With Rifles.
He Evidently Thinks He Can
Cinch the City.
Exciting Results of His Attempt to
Cut Off the City's Water.
His Action Jeopardixss the Crops OF
Many Krrigators and His Myr-
midons Defy the City
OMccrss

To face crowd armed with Win
chester rides is not the pleasantest thing
to do, yet this is what the city zsnjero,
r. Bilderrain and his force did yester-
day in carrying out the orders OF the
city to protect its interests.
One-half the city of Los Angeles 10
today without water for irrigating pur-
poses. Unless the trouble is settled i'm
mediately millions OF dollars worth OF
property will be ruined. One-half the
irrigable land of the city 10 involved,
which means thousands Of acres OF land,
upon which is situated some of the finest
lawns, gardens and orchards in the
state.
ylQ ORIGIN OF THE TROUBLE.
All the trouble is caused by the shut
tingl off Of irrigating water from the
canal supplying the East Side, its park,
BOYLE Heights, Westlake park, reservoir
No. 4 and the fine yards and lawns on
Figueroa, Washington, jefferson and
other streets. Unless the water is again
diverted into Its proper channel those
parts OF the city will be almost If not
entirely ruined within few days.
The canal is located on the Providen-
cia ranch, elk or eight miles north oil the
city. The land through which the wa
ter runs to reach the city 10 owned by
Hooker & Pomeroy, and these gentle
men shut the water off yesterday, turn
ing it again into the bed Of the Los An
geles river. The depression in the river
on the Los Feliz ranch. below the canal,
is such that the water cannot be forced
to the highest portions OF the city;
consequently canal was cut
at a higher elevation and run
across very marked curve, long dis.
tance. Thus the water was directed
from its natural channel, preventing it
flowing into the depression and destroy
ing the dams.
SENT TO THE SCENE.
AZ soon as the water committee, the
xanja committee and some Of the coun-
cilmen heard Of the shut off a consulta-
tion was had with the city attorney re-
eardinS tho legality OF their acts In case
they Ahould again turn the water into
the canal for the city'a use. 1t is not
known az to what advice was given in
tho matter, but shortly afterward Zan-
Zero Bilderrain and force OF men were
dent to the scene, with full instructions
to protect the city's interests at all haz-
ards. Orders were given the zanjero to
again turn the water into the canal, and
use force If necessary to carry out in
structions.
Hooker & Pomeroy, owners Of the
land through which the water flows, had
fired" the man employed by the city
to watch the dam, and had things their
,wn way, the water flowing into the
river bed. They placed in his stead one
Of their own men, who was we'll armed.
PREPARED FOR WAR.
On reaching the scene Mr.. Bilderrain
,reeted the men In charge with for
NAL chow de do" telling them his busi-
ness.
They, in reply, told him their busi-
The men employed by Mr.. Pomsroy
to watch the canal were armed with
Winchester rifles. Around their waista
were buckIed belts filled with cartridges:
Tie leader wore q sombrero and looked
a typical westerner with "blood in bis
eye." He was stranger 70 the ofhcial
visitors.
TROUBLE AvERTED.
Nr. Bilderrain at once taking In thu
situation and Wishing to avoid trouble
md bloodshed, held a 'semi-friendly
consultation and informed the desperate
looking man that he and his men hae
been sent by the city to protect 1T
interests.
"The city cannot,n said Mr.. Bildef
rain, "be deprived OF this water, which
Justly belongs to her."
He then informed the men that h,
would not undertake to carry ont hi
intentions, owing to the circumstances
but that he would return this mornini
with force OF men and direct the wate
into the ditch. -
A BOLD DECLARATION.
The guards who "held the fort" wer
of a different opinion, and told Mr.
Bilderrain they we're hxed Tor an,
attack at trespassing upon the propert.
Of his employer.
TIE SITUATION TODAY.
This morning it is reported that a
the constables in the neighborhood vii
be ready with warrants to arrest Nj
Bilderrain and his entire force. On th
other hand 1t is said that Mr.. Bilderrai
will askeSheriff Cline for deputies to al
rest ait-those who interfere with the cit
officials who will be sent to protect ht
interests. The situation 10 indeed alarm
ing.
NOT TO BE ARMED.
Mr.. Bilderrain and his force will leay
the city this morning about 10 o'clcc
for the scene. While trouble is not 1
all unlihely the matter may be amicabl
arranged. The question is, how lon
will the city remain without water?
MUST HAVE WATER.
Mr.. Bilderrain was seen last night |
q HERALD reporter. He had just r
turned from his visit to the canal. +
related the facts of his interview vii
the Pomeroy guards, and said all meal
in his power were and will be used
prevent any clash.
s'But there is one thing" said Il
gentleman, "the city must have b
water, dead or alive. 1t means loss
millions to the city unless it is secur
at once"
BIG AREA INVOLVED.
The gentleman was OF the opinion th
fully one-half of the city was involve
The ditch in question is ths main gu
ply Of East Los Angeles, Boyle Hsigh
and the entire western and southweste