The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-05-31
COLORADO MINERS FIGHT
ELEVEN DEAD MEN REPORTED AT
CRIPPLE CREEK.
Shaft House Blown Up by Strikers and
Dynamite Dropped Into a Mine,
Killing All the Occupants-A
Bloody Battle Anticipated.

CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo, May 20
= Eleven men killed, with a strong
probability that the number Of deaC
will be increased when all is known, IL
the record of the first dey of trouble
here, although the real fighting ha;
not yet begun, as the deputies are
awaiting reinforcements before begin
ning'actiye operations. At 10 o'clock
this morning II men started to work
in 1.-THE Strong mine. Shortly after
wards,a large party of strikers blew up
the shaft house with powder, causing
a loss of $25 900, and then droppei 100
pounds of giant powder down the
shaft which also exploded, killing all
the inmates.
Not more than 800 yards from the
! Strong shaft lG men who had been en-
gagged to 90 to work in the Indepen
ence mine were surrounded in their
bunk house and after long parley
agreed to surrender. Each one was
armed with a rifle and brace of re-
volvers. The arms are now in possess
sion of the strikers.
1t is rumored that the strikers at
tackled the Anna Lee mines and over
powered the guards, after which they
blew up the shaft house, but the ru
NOR has not been verified. When the
deputies finally mass and the the two
forces come together most desperate
fight will doubtless follow. The situa-
ton at o'clock tonight is one of pain
tul anxiety. Not few believe the
town will be smouldering by another
sunset if the strikers be notrestrained
At Victor six miles away, where fully
1000 people reside, a reign of terror eX
lists. Within the corporate limits of
the town all day long fully 800 union
miners, armed with rifles, have pa
raded up and down the side o. the
hill. Occasionally detour in the viii
lage would be made and the people
wnom the miners thought to be objec-
tionable ordered to leave the town.
The strikers threw out picket line en-
tirely surrounding the town but at Il dis
lance that guarantees safety from the
deputies rifles.
1t is said that the strikers have
planted under their breastwOrks Oh
Bull Hill quantity of dynamite with
the intention of blowing it up if it
should be taken and occupied by the
deputies. One of the largest mine
owners in Colorado Springs is authors
ity Tor the statement that the mine
owners have planted rifle in canyon
near the breastwoTks aud it will be
used against the strikers.
AMMUNITION CAPTURED.
CRIPPLE CREEK, May 25.-The
strikers from their stronghold on
Bull hill can view the country for
miles and all passes are guarded by
them. Every stranger is intercepted
and not allowed to proceed towards
the town unless a satisfactory eXpIa-
nation of his business is given. No
one is permitted near enough the seat
of war to be in danger and the streets
of Cripple Creek and Victor, as
we'll as the passes, are patrolled by
miners carrying winchesters and re-
volvers. The capture and disarling
of deputies numbering Is was &C
c0mplished by women, and ever since
two of the women have been holding
high court in a saloon, where the
strikers shower congratulations on
them. Two wagons loaded with
powder and cartridges for one
of the mines we've captured by
the strikers and their contents cOnfs.
Gated. Sam Mcdonald, superntend.
ent of the Strong, Anna Lee and Gold
King mines, and Charley Robin on OF
the Strong are missing, which gives.
credence to the story of slaughter. II
the men were in certain portions O.
the Strong mine the conclusion might
not have killed them.