The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-16
DENVER A CAMP OF WAR.
A Bloody Conflict Escaped by a Hairs
Breadth.

City Police Force and a Posse-Both
sides Ready to Fight to the Death.
The Governor Appeals to Gen. Nc
Cook, and Federal Troops Sent to
Preserve the Peace.
Denver. Col, March 15.-The political
fight waged by Gov Waite eliminated
to-day in most exciting scenes, and mob
violence was imminent many times during
the day Fortunately the common citi-
zens were calm and collected, and the
prompt action of leading citizens
in leaving their business and ap-
pearing in solid bodies to beg
for time to consider the situation
carefully caused a delay that probably
prevented bloodshed, rioting and the as
sassination of Gov. Waite. In all proba
bflity had a shot been fired, a mob would
have quickly formed that would have
CAPTURED the governor before official as
sistance could have rescued him. At
o'clock the intelligence that the governor
had called upon Gen. McCook to preserve
the peace settled all talk of contest be-
tween the militia and the police, backed
by as fearless lot of deputies sworn in
by the sheriff as could be possibly gath
cred together.
'SoApyN Smiths crowd of sports had
been sworn as deputies, and they were
placed at the city hail to await orders.
From o'clock until long after dark a
dense mass of humanity was packed In
front of the city hall, and upon the streets
adjacent. They cheered and chaffed and
iOked yet did not appear to express indig
nation at the situation.
THE MILITARY.
On Fourteenth street the First regi-
ment of the Colorado National Guards
stood iankiug the Chaffe Light Artillery
consisting of four Gatling guns, with
cassions filled with ammunition. Their
position commanded the entire front of
the han, and at one time the body was
under motion to attack the hail when the
arrival of Secretary LOrenz with
message from the governor stayed the at
tack This was for a half hours delay to
permit another conference looking toward
peaceful settlement.
From the time the United States troops
We're called out the most intense anxiety
prevailed All sorts of rumors floated
about The sheriff issued an order to ar
rest the militia and take their arms away.
A friend Of the deposed members of the
fire and police board went out
of the city hall tc apply for a war
rant to arrest the governor. Commit
tees of the most influential citizens
were arguing with the board, with the
militia with the governor, and with the
police, but nothing was accomplished.
The governor declared that he would
order the militia to fire upon the city
hall regardless of the crowds of specta-
tors and the police board within as solid
ly maintained their position to resist at
tack.
THE POLICE READY TO FIGHT.
The police stood with guns in hand
ready to charge if necessary, and Chief of
Police Stole said he would die before he
would surrender. Meanwhile business
was practically suspended and crowds
gathered on every corner and upon the
tops of the adjacent buildings.
Soon after o'clock this evening, Chief
of Police Stone received a telphone mes
sage from Gen. MdCook stating that he
had ordered troops from Fort Logan to
protect the chief and aid him in preserv-
ing order Soon after T. NJ. Patterson
asked on behalf of the governor for com
mittee of arbitration, but the city hall
people declined to agree, saying that they
made similar offer in the day and it had
been refused. Then the attorney for the
governor made q similar request and it
was also declined.
1t was not until this morning that the
people realized the extent OF the trouble
and the determination of Gov. Waite to
nave his way regardless of the courts
When they read in the morning papers
that he had ordered out the militia they
We're loath to believe even then that any
trouble of a serious nature would arise
But as the day passed the fears of all be-
gan to rise
OPENING OF TIE DAY.
AS early as o'clock this morning curl
Gus spectators began to assemble around
the city hall building and by IL o'clock
Larimer and Fourteenth sh eets for a
block in each direction were literally
packed. At 10 O'Clock two wagons loads
OF breech-lOading shotguns and ammuni-
tion were unloaded al police headquarters
In the city hall. The department was
now equipped with a shotgun and two 45
COLT revolvers for each man, in addition
10 the regulation club. A guam
uty of dynamite cartridges was also
stored IN the police vaults in readiness
lor any emergency. We will hold the
elty hall against all attacks from the out
si0e, If 1t takes dynamite to do it," was
lne expression OF Chief of Police Stone.
We have 1l0 men on duty, and they will
he here as long as they are needed. If the
Eoyenor wants bloodshed we will give it
10 MIN, but he cannot have the hail.
line crowd about the armory was nearly
60 great as thdt assem- D4eQ al the city
nan and when the militiamen began to
arrive, they found it difficult to make
lAeir way to their headquarters. The
AlhJla started from the armory promptly
al o'clock. Adjt Gen. Tarsney was in
Command, assisted by Brig. Gen. Brooks.
At @;l5 o'clock Brig. Gen. Brooks, accom-
PANIED BY four aides de camp, rode up to
IAe city hall and stated that the COVER
nor orders must be obeyed.
THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ROOMS.
Gov Waite remained in his private
rooms at the Douglass House all day and
aemltted no one but his closest friends
ohlll a committee of citizens from the
,Aamber of commerce called upon him
.ate IN the day. The result was failure
w gel him TO consent to anything II
SHail order the militia to fire he reiter-
~leu. The people may assassinate me if
'DgN VIII, but propose to have my way T"
ms was the situation when Gen. Nc
."ok asserted his position and prepared
10 preserve the peace.
HISTORY OF THE TROUBLE.
The history of this trouble dates back
some weeks. The crisis was delayed be-
cause the governor preferred to wait until
tue extra session was ended before he
acted. To understand the situation it
must be known that some years ago the
eIJi1ens of Denver asked the legislature
lo give them new Charter that would
ldkG the police fire and nublir works de-