The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-18
An Anxious Day Follows a Night
OF Excitement on Bull
Mountain.
II There Is a Clash OF Arms II
VIII Be on This High
Hill
Hundreds OF Deputy sherins sworn IA
sud Several Companies Of Soldiers
on the Way.

CRmpfK CREKK, Col. March H.-An
anxious day has followed a night Of excite
ment and adventure ia tho great gold min
ing district known to the world Hs Cripple
Greek. The resistance offered 10 the shsr-
ih's posse by the miners who are striking
for the eight hour day and the same wages
a. formerly paid for nine hours and the
call for militia have given affairs q waf-
like aspect. After driving from Bull hill
si1 deputy sherids stationed there, one Of
whom vas shot. but not seriously wounded.
the miners would not allow any strangers
ia that noighborhood during the night
shOrih Bowers Immediately called ont
troop A. OF Colorado Springs, aud to-day
made requisition on the governor for more
troors In accordance With which the First
regiment, Of Denver, with a signal oorUs
and the Chafee light artillery end company
G. Second regiment. Of Pueblo. we're ordered
70 proceed hither under command Of Ada
tAnt General Tainsey.
The telegraph wires are still down be-
tween Cripple Creek and Bull hill but 10 10
learned that the miners are defiant and
threaten to resist the troops. The sheriff
10 arming aud equipp.ng men 30 supple
weapon availabls Ia town 10 roady for use.
The streets are thTonged with people.
among whom are many idle and hungry
men. The saloons and gambling places
are iammed. In the moving mass the most
jovial ones are the union miners, Who de-
clare they are not afraid OF the soldiers.
They represent the faction which 10 stead
fast on the hills, awaiting Developments
n
lieved TO be In the najOrity are willing 20
work al nine hours, but say the protection
offered by tne county is inadequate. IL
clash OF arms occurs the miners viii have
the advantage Of position.
Bull mountain 10 one Of the largest OF the
cluster Of hills that surround Cripple eek.
IL is heavily timbered, and criss-orossed By
foot trails and wagon roads from various
mines. Between Cripple Creek and the
summit Of Bull mountain are a number OF
massive rounded hills almost destitute Of
timber. and among These hills are small
mining camps u 10 in this camp that the
scene cf battle will occur.
Sheriff Bowers now has force OF 25O
deputies armed with repeating rides. 100
additional men having arrived to-night
from Colorado SprinRs. but be will no,
attempt 20 arrest any OF the men who paf-
tioipated in last nights disturbance al
Altman until the militia arrive. Troops
from Denver aud Pueblo will not reach
here ill morning. A. Altman quiet pre-
walls tonight although several hundred
armed mines are iOAhng about
DENVER March l7.-Gov. Waite, after re-
ceiving a call from sheriff Bowers at Grip
ple Greek. this morning. for troops. re-
plisd: "You ought hrst to summon posse
oomitatus OF your court. IL you cannot
maintain order. then cell upon me for aid.
Calling troops must be the last resort.
will order troops held in readiness imme-
diately. Wire mo here"
sheriff Powers Immediately replied; Il
have issued call 20 commanders OF First
and Second regiments for troops TO aid
civil authorities IN enforcing the laws of
the state. which ! am authorized 90 do.
Emsrgency 10 great IL / have not this
authority, / call uron you 20 order troops
60 G ipple Creek Immediately, for there are
a. said camp a body OF men, acting to-
Rether, doing violence TO persons aud prop
srtr, and by force and violence breaking
and resisting the laws OF the state, aud /
must have them 10 aid In the suppression
Of riot and insurrection."
Gov. Waite then dispatched the First
regiment of this city. 80 strong. and com
pany Q, Second regiment of Pueblo, In
addition TO troop A, Of Colorado Springs,
TO Cripple Creek.