The Delta independent., 1894-06-06
CRIPPLE CREEK THE SEAT OF WAR,
MINERS REJECT COMPROMISE.


An attempt was made Saturday to arbitrate
the differences between the owners and the
miners. committee headed by President
Slocum of Colorado College was sent from
Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek. On be-
| half of Mr.. l1agerman and other mine own
ers he offered togrant an elghrhour day and
to arb!trate the wage question. The Miners
after comforting, decided Monday that they
must have 50 per day and no non-uhion man
would be allowed to work. Mr.. Hagerman
absolutely refused to consent to this arrange
| meht:
This seems to end all hope OF peaceful
| ending of the strike.
| The $50 deputies In the vicinity Of Florence
were sent to Colorado Springs early Sunday
morning. From there they were sent over
the Midland to Divide, where they went into
camp. They will remain there until the re.
suit of the attempt ut arbitration is known.
The miners began to prepare anew for hos
tilitles. They sent men to gather up all the
fire nrtns i'll the various camps, usually giving
receipts for them. Large stocks of provisions
were laid in also Scouts were sent all
around the districts OF which Victor and Alt
man are the centcrs, informing the people
that every able-boded man who remained
tnclc Nouiu nave 10 npnt snouiu al att'ich pe
made on the miners and good many left and
took up their temporary residence in the town
of Cripple Creek They did not wish to take
sides either way,
Small parties left Cripple Creek to join the
deputies. Some of these will act guides.
On Monday Samuel Mcdonald and his two
companions, who were taken prisoners from
the shaft-housc of the Strong mine the day
after it was exploded. were exchanged for
three strikers captured by the Denver contln-
gent of deputies durjng the skirmlsh of Sat
urday morning.
The deputies were still at Divide Monday
night They were drilling and waiting for
reinforcements. They were being closely
watched by the strikers who were evidently
seeking an opportunity to capture the cannon
that the deputies have.
Various rumors were a1oat One was that
the strikers were to be reinforced by miners
from Ieadville and other points. Another
was that the governor would be asked TO call
out the militia.
Governor Waite sent his private secretary
Mr.. Lorentz, to Cripple Creek to study the
situation aud report.
| The news that the possibility of settlement
by arbitration had passed caused the greatest
excitement at Victor .and vicinity. Various
| sensational rumors were also atioat, which
served to aggravate the condition of the men
OF the town, which almost amounts to emo
tional insanity
The miners have turned the high, rocky
! point known as .'The Crag'' into the strong
est kind of a fortress. This crag is directly
above and west of the Victor mine. tire
qurcd but little work from the miners to pre-
pare this natural fortress for their protection,
and now one man with a Winchester could
keep off a whole army OF men, as 1t is access
ible only from one point. This fortress is
well provided with food and water, and a
long siege could easily be endured by the
miners
On the summit of the hill, which is smooth,
open, steep and long, the miners have thrown
up carthen breastworks that would afford
them protection from any ieaden messenger.
Only by storning the place with shell could
they be dislodsed or driven from their point
of vantage.
Nearly all Of the union miners Of the camp,
numbering over 1,GO0, besides several hum
dred sympathizers, have taken refuge on the
| hill. They have over 700 magazine rifles, a
numt er of shotguns and old-pattcrn rifles and
several hundred pistols of various kinds.
But probably the strongest line of defense
is the line of dynamite charges that have been
| laid at each approach to their strongh old.
This dynamite is connected with battery set
up in the fort and one or all Of the plants of
giant can be set off by simply pressing but
ton. Should the enemy attempt TO pass the
sentry line and ovcrpower the guard, 1t would
require only an Instant to set oil the eyplo-
sives and destroy the entire advancing force.
The deputies are said to have ordered Cat
ling gun from Chicago. George Carver and
another man were taken from Barry by the
strikers and carried to Bull Hill Tuesday
morning. They were supposed to be unfriend-
| ly TO the strikers. Carver was soon released
The strikers have secured a lot Of horses
for cavalry use and have taken possession Of
| Baldwin's livery stable at Altman.
A large party of miners, ,variously estimated
Mt from 200 TO 400, arrived in the camp from
the south Monday night, passing through
Lawrence shortly after midnight They came
from Leadvlle and we're heavily armed. They
were escorted to Bull Hill and Battle Noun
I tain. In addition to the arms the men also
brought in wcll-filled commissary wagons. II
was also said that the Fremont coal miners
would come to the strikers assistance II
needed.
II is stated that nonresident mine owners
would appeal to the federal courts for In
functions against the strikers. Such injunc-
tions, II issued, would be served by marshals
backed by soldiers.
1t was stated Tuesday night that the force
of deputies at Divide had been increased to
600 and that 200 more were expected. 1t was
reported In Denver that deputies were being
constantly enrolled for service at Cripple
| Creek.
| 1t was reported that the women and chill
dren were being removed from Altman in an
ticipation that the town would be cannonaded
| Wednesday.
The Bull Hill garrison is now susplcious OF
everybody outside OF the miners union, and