The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1894-04-07
ESTABLISHED 1890.
Cripple Creek Trouble.

..
understand what it was all about.
The real facts are that the national
guard should not have been sent
at all, but Governor Waite can not
be criticised for sending them, as
he sent them upon the lawful request
of the sheriff of Ell Paso county, who
is officer legally qualified to demand
their presence. That he wilfully
misrepresented the situation there is
no question, and for that he will be
severely censured by every one who
knows the facts. When he demand
ed that the militia be sent, he claimed
that an insurrection was taking place
which he was unable to control and
that he could not secure the arrest
of parties for whom he had warrants.
Both of these statements were false,
but Governor Waite was not aware
of that fact until too late. When
the militia arrived the sheriff acted
very peculiar, as it was his business
| to have met them en- route, escorted
them to suitable camping grounds,
and, in fact shown them every court
esy. He then should have held
consultotion with the commanding
officer, showing him the warrants he
wished to serve and ask his assistance
in case the parties to be arrested re-
sisted his deputies and defeated them.
He did none of these things, but in
stead failed to appear until after the
troops had arrived in Cripple Creek
and even then showed no warrants;
neither did he appear to have any
clear idea as to what he expected to
do. The air was filled with rumors
to the effect that the roads to Alt
man were full of giant powder and
the entire town under arms so that
it was dangerous for troops or any
one else, especially the officers of the
militia to 60 there, who, it was re-
ported would be blown up or assas-
sinated on sight In spite of this
,, General Tarsney announced his in
tenton to 90 there and on Monday
he did so, accompanied by General
Brooks, Col. A. w. Hoge, and other
officers.
In the conference held at Altman
General Tarsney told the miners
that if the reports of the exlstance o.
an armed force were true, they must
lay down their arms and restore law
and order, that he expected them tc
assist the sheriff to arrest such among
them as he might haye warrants for
that the militia was not there to
make war, but to maintain peace
and that he expected every citizel
to render assistance to that end. II
reply to this the miners claimed tina
an armed force did not exist there
that there was no insurrection an,
) that they were ready to pledge tn
= sheriff their assistance if it wa
needed. That they meant what the
said is evident, as the sheriff's depu
ties arrested twenty three men Will
the militia was marching to Midlan
Il on Tuesday morning.
:. The entire force of militia also dc
.s serve much praise for their soldierl
conduct. a night march over tn
mountains at any time is not plea.
ant, and when it is claimed by thos
%. supposed to be familiar with til
to facts, that an enemy is intrenched ;
IN some unknown point and intenc
" attacking the columns with giar
=, powder and Winchesters, the situs
n ton is not one entirely agreeabl
ts These rumors did not prove true, b'
h. as the narrow gorges filled wit
y. rocks, logs and trees were passe
,e the boys realized that an enem
or could have given them hot fight.
- While it is possible that Cripp
. Creek district has a few hot hea,
70 who would take pleasure in creatir
!, trouble and then leaving it for son
10 one else to settle, the majority
NJ. miners appear to be law abidir
citizens. The existence of miner
union is no more unlawful the
r'' than any other organization of lab
and the only methods tolerated
the majority of the union men in Il
-, district are in force everywheI
. viz, to persuade men to jo
''- them to maintain wages. Wheth
ed at this time it is advisable for the
Is to even do this may be a matter
he opinion, as the financial condition
~.,o,,.1 L,t tIn