The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-06-02
Terrible Slaughter Of Human Be-
ings at Cripple Creek.
ARE. BLOWN UP WITH POWDER
Eleven WOrlkmen in the Strong Mine Said
to Have Been Murdered putiaS
Taken as Prisoners.


when all is known, is the record of the
first day of the trouble here, although
the real fighting has not yet begun, as
the deputies are awaiting reinforce
ments before beginning active opera
lions.
At 10 o'clock yesterday morning
eleven men started to work in the
Strong mine on Battle mountain. Short
ly afterward large party of strikers
blew up the shafthouse with powder,
causing loss of $4,000, and then
dropped 100 pounds of giant powder
down the shaft, which was also ex.
ploded, killing all the inmates. Not
more than 300 yards from the Strong
shafthouse sixteen men who had been
engaged to go to work in the Indepen-
dence mine were surrounded in their
clubhouse, aud after long parley
agreed to surrender. Each one was
armed with rife and brace of revo.vers,
the arms now being in possession of the
strikers. 1t is rumored that the strikers
attacked the Anna Lee mine, overpow-
ering the guards, after which they blew
up the shafthouse, but the rumor has
not been confirmed. When the deputies
are finally massed and the two. forces
come together most desperate battle
will doubtless be fought.
The situation at o'clock last night
was one of most painful anxiety. Not
a few believe the town will be a smoid-
ering mass by another sunset ii the
strikers are not restrained. At Victo Or,
six miles away, where fully 200 people
reside, reign of terror exists. Within
half mile of the corporation limits of
the town all day long fully 300 miners
armed with rifles have paraded up and
down the side of the hill Occasionally
detour into the village would be made
and people whom the miners thought to
be Objectionable were ordered to leave
the place. Guards from Denver, upon
their arrival at Victor, went into camp
on neighboring hill. The strikers
threw out picket line entirely sur
rounding them, but at a distance that
guarantees them safety from the depu-
ties rifles, II is said the strikers have
planted under their breastworks on
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 own
ers in Colorado Springs is authority for
the statement that the mine owners
have planted rifle cannon on the hill
commanding the breastworks and that
it will be used to dislodge the strikers
from that position.
Tonight all sorts of rumors concern
ing the doing of the Strong mine are
afloat. One is to the effect that the
workmen were not killed, having been
warned off by masked strikers. All
telephone communication has been
broken, and it is feared the telegraph
wires will 60 next. The deputies from
Denver have Withdrawn to a less ex-
posed position, where they will await
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
unless satisfactory explanation of his
business is given. No one is permitted
to get near enough to 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 reVolvers.
The capture and disarming of the
numbering eighteen, was &C.
complished by women, and ever since
the occurrence two of the women have
been holding high court in saloon,
where the strikers heap congratulations
upon them. Two wagons loaded with
powder and cartridges for one of the
mines were captured by the strikers
and their contents confscated.
Sam Mcdonald, superintendent of the
Strong, Anna Lee and Gold King mines,
and Charlie Robinson, foreman of the
Strong, are missing, which gives evil
dence to the story Of the slaughter. If
the men were in certain portions of the
mine the conclusion may not have
killed them. Sam Strong, owner of the
mine, Is given as authority for the
statement that eleven men we're killed.
1t is raining furiously and any further
move tonight is not looked for. Depu-
ties have been coming in quietly all day
an it is thought an unexpected move is
anticipated.
1t is stated on good authority that
Governor Waite is in sympathy with
the strikers and will tomorrow issue a
proclamation against the deputies and
call out the militia to attack and dis
arm them.
Going Via Milwaukee.
MADISON, Wis, May 20 Fifty Mon.
tana commonweealers arrived today
from Prairie Do Chine under command
of John d. Wilson. They will 60 to