Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-03-22
RULE OR RUIN.
Revolutionary Action Of Gov.waite
ofeColorado.
The State Militia Arrayed Against the
Civil Authorities, and Both sides
Determined-United States
Troops to the Rescue.

the common citizen was calm and col
lected, and the prompt action of lead
ing citizens in leaving their business
and appearing in solid bodies to beg
for time to consider the situation care
fully, caused a delay that has proba bly
prevented bloodshed, rioting and the
murder of Gov. Waite. In all proba-
bility had a shot been fired a mob
would have quickly formed that would
have captured the governor before Off
cial assistance could have rescued him.
AT o'clock the intelligence that the
governor had called upon Gen. Nc
Cook to preserve the peace settled all
fears of contest between the militia
and the police backed by as fearless a
lot of deputies sworn in by the sheriff
as could possibly be gathered together
''Soapy" Smiths crowd of sports had
been sworn in as deputies, and they
Were placed at the hail to await orders
From o'clock until long after dark
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 hesitate
to express indignation at the situation.
On Fourteenth street the First regi-
ment of the Colorado national guards
stood thanking the Chaffee light artil-
lery, consisting of four Calling guns,
with caissons well filed with am
munition. Their position commanded
the entire front of the hall, and at one
time the militia was in motion to attack
the hall, when the arrival of Secretary
Lorenz with a message from the gov
ernor stayed the attack. This was for
L 4 1-r- -
conference looking towards settle
ment
When the United States troops were
called out the most intense excitement
prevailed. All sorts of rumors f1oated
about. The sheriff issued an order to
arrest the militia and take their arms
away. A friend of the deposed MEM
bers of the fire and police board went
out of the city hall to apply for a war
rant to arrest the governor.
Death Before Surrender.
Committees 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
he would order the militia to fire upon
the city hall regardless of the crowds
of spectators and the police board
within as stolidly maintained their po-
sition to resist attack. The police
stood with guns in hand ready to
charge if necessary, and Chief of
Police Stone said he would die before
he would surrender.
Meanwhile business was practically
suspended, and the crowds gathered
on every corner and upon the tops of
adjacent buildings.
The Governors Request for Arbitration
Refused.
Soon after 6 o'clock Chief of Police
Stone received a telephone message
from Gen. McCook stating that he had
ordered troops from Fort Logan to
protect the chief and aid him in pre-
serving order. Soon after L. NJ. Pat
terson asked, on behalf of the gov
ernor, for a committee of arbitrat ton,
but the city hall people declined the
offer, saying that they had made SIM
liar offer earlier in the day and it had
been refused. Then attorneys for the
governor made similar request, and
it was also declined.
It was not until this morning that
the people realized the extent of the
trouble and the determination of Gov
Waite to have his way regardless of
courts and the counsel of wiser heads.
When they read in the morning papers
that he had ordered out the militia,
they were loath to believe even then
that any trouble of a serious nature
would ensue. But as the day passed
the fears of all began to rise.
Curious Spectators gin to Assemble.
About o'clock this morning curious
spectators began to assemble around
the city hall building, and by IL o'clock
Laramie and Fourteenth streets, for
block in each direction, were literally
blockaded with Seething mass of hui
manity. The crowd was orderly and
good natured, however, and no dis
turbances of any kind occurred. Gu
riosity alone appeared to be the mo-
tive of the assemblage and ''What is
the latest?" and when are they COM
ing?" We're the queries heard on every
hand.
Shoeguns and Ammunition, With Dyna-
mite for an EN- Urgency.
At 10 o'clock two wagonloads of
breech-loading shotguns and ammuni-
ton were delivered at police head
quarters in the city hall. The depart
Inent was now equipped with shot
gun and two 45-caliber Colts revolvers
for each man, in addition to the regu-
lation club. A quantity of dynamite
cartridges were also stored in the police
vaults ready for an emergency.
Chief of Polics Stone Determined to
Hold the Fort"
1--WE will hold the city hall against
all attacks from the outside, if it takes
dynamite to do it," was the expression
of Chief of Police Stone.
1--WE have no men on duty, and they
will be here as long as they are needed.
They are all loyal men, and have been
too long in the service to permit any
one to intimidate them. We are pre-.
pared for any emergency, and we will
risk everything to protect the property
which the citizens and taxpayers have
Entrusted to our care. Nointerference
with the fire department will be per-
mitted. The city hall will not be sur
rendered while the courts are dealing
with the case.
IF the governor wants blood to the
brides we will give it to him; but he
can't have the city hall"
TIL. Governor Declares His Intention to
Rule or Ruin.
Gov. Waite remained in his private
rooms at the Douglass all day. and adj
mitted no one but his closest friends,
.;1 !, committee of citizens from the