The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-26
BLOODSHEO IN COLORADO,
Striking Miners Resort to
Violence.
Minions of the Law Set at Def.
ance.
Seven Men Killed in the Opening
Skirmish.
Veritable Reign of Terror at Cripple
Croek-Moro Bloody Work Ex-
pected - Disord ers In
Other States.
By the Associated Press.

CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo, May 25.-Seven
men killed, with strong probability
that the number of dead will bs in
creased when all ia known, is the record
OF the FIRST day Of trouble here, although
real fighting has not begun, as the dep
uties ere waiting for reinforcements be.
fore beginning operations. At 10 o'clock
this morning IL men started work in the
Strong mine on Battle mountain.
Shortly afterwards large party OF strik-
ers blew up the shalt house with pow
der, causing loss OF $25 900, and then
dropped 100 pounds of giant powder
down the shaft, which also exploded,
killing oil the inmates.
Not more than 800 yards from the
Strong shaft, 16 men who had been en-
gagged to work in the Independence mine
were surrounded in their bunk hou ee,
and after long parley agreed to eur
render. Each one was armed with a
rifle ana brace OF revolvers, the arms
now being in the possession OF the strik-
ers.
1t is rumored that the strikers attacked
the Anna Lee mine, overpowering the
guards, after which they blew up the
ahaft house, but the rumor has not
been verified.
When the deputies are finally massed
and the two forces come together, a
most desperate battle will doubtless be
fought.
The situation at 6 p. m. is one OF most
painful anxiety. Not Jew believe the
town will be snouldering mass by
another sunset if the strikers be not re-
strained.
At Victor, six miles away, where fully
1000 people reside, reign uf terror ex-
lists. Within half mile OF the corpor~
alton limits Of the town all day Iona
| fully 200 union miners, armed with
rifles, have paraded up and down the
side of the hill. Occasionally detour>
into the village would be made, and peo-
pie whom the miners thought to be OBJ
| jsctionable were ordered to leave tn
| place. The guards from Denver, upon
arriving at Victor, went into camp on q
neighboring hill. The strikers threw
out picket line entirely surrounding
them, but at q distance that guarantees
them safety from the deputies rifles. IL
ia said the strikers have planted u1der
their breastwork on Bull hill quantity
of dynamite, with the intention OF blow
ing it up If it should be taken and occu-'
pied by the deputies.
One OF the largest mine owners in
Colorado Springs is authority sor the
statement that the mine ownera have
planted rifled cannon on hill COM
manding the breastworks, and that IL
will be used to dislodge the strikers from
that position.
/ All sorts OF rumors concerning the do
ings at the Strong mine are afloat. One
of them ia to the effect that the workmen
were nto killed, having been warned off
| by strikers.
All telephone communication has
been broken, and it ia feared the tele-
graph wires will go next. The deputies
from Denver have Withdrawn to n less
exposed position where they will await
renforcemelJs.
The strikers from their stronghold on
Bull hill can view the country for miles,
and all the passes are well guarded by
them.
Every stranger is interce pied aud not
allowed to proceed toward the town, un-
less a satisfactory explanation OF hss
business is given. No one is permitted
to get near enough the seat OF war to DO
in danger, and this streets Of Cripple
Greek and Victor, as we'll as the passes,
are patrolled by miners with rifles GGd
| Ievolvers.
The capture and dissrning OF depu-
ties, numbering 49, WAS accomplished
by women, and ever since the occur
renee, two of the women have bsen hold
ing high court in saloon whore the
strikers heap congratulations upon
| them.
Two wagons loaded with powder and
cartridges for one OF the mines were
captured by the strikers and the con-
tents confscated
| Sam Mcdonald, superintendent OF the
! Strong, anna Lee and Gold King mine5,
and Charles Robinaon, foreman Of the
| strong mine, are missing, which givea
| credence to the story of Slaughter. Ii
! she mon were in certain portions OF the
NINE, the conclusion may not have
Elled them. Sam Strong, owner OF the
mine, is given as authority FOR the state
ment that ii men were killed.
1t is raining furiously and any further
move tonight is not looked for. Depu-
ties have been coming in quietly ell day
and it is thought an unexpected move is
contemplated. 1t is stated on good au-
! tbority that Governor Waite is in SYM
| pAthy with the strikers and that he will
tomorrow Issue q proclamation against
the deputies and call out the militia to
attack and disarn them.
!