The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1894-07-07
IMPORTANT COLORADO NEWS.
THE CRIPPLE CREEK WAR.
HostiIttics Result In Two DeathL-
Prospect OF Settlement
by Arbitration.

by Arbitration.
As a result OF an attempt by the owners OF
mines at Cripple Creek TO resume work that
camp has been the scene OF great excitement
of late. 1t has in fact had the appearance OF
an armed camp.
The owners were anxious 10 begin shipping
ore over the new roads that are now within
reach OF their mlnes To do this they real
lied that they must put non-union men to
work and give them an ample guard Of dep
uty sherlfis.
A special train bearing los armed men left
Denver for Cripple Creek Friday night 1t
was reported that these men would be made
deputy sherlGs and act as guards for some Of
the large mines, which would start up on
nlnr-hour schedule.
Most OF the men were formerly policemen
or tiremen under the old fire board.
Great excitement was reported at Cripple
Creek. Quite large force OF deputies Is
said to have been recruited at Cripple Greek.
Nobody doubts but that serious trouble Is
at hand. The miners are as we'll armed
the guards, and many of them are desperate
men.
Friday morning the two guards at the Vie
tor mine were surprised by armed men and
made to surrender their guns. They were
not harmed.
Two men we're assaulted at Altman on sus-
p!clon of being non-union men.
The Denver deputies arrived over the Flor
cnee * Cripple Creek road Mt . O'Clock. The
party WAS under command OF j. C. Ncatch,
ex.chlef OF police of Denver. The men were
landed about mile and a half from Victor
81 ,l hf. ont "a
scouts we're fred upon by miners and they re-
tired.
some of the men wanted to advance on the
mines but this was not thought wise until re-
Inducements should appear, and at $3.50 the
army Withdrew from the view Of the enemy.
The construction train conveyed 1t toward
Florence.
The men camped at Wilbur until rein
forccments should arrive.
Orders were sent to Denver for an add
tlonM force of guards and County Detective
De Lue began to recruit men for service. II
WAS expected that l2j would leave for Grip
pic Creek Saturday morning. 1t was reported
that other forces would be enlisted at Colo
RADIO Springs, Pueblo and Leadville. One
hundred and fifty men were recruited at
Colorado Springs Friday afternoon by Sheriff
Bowers and sent 10 Cripple Creek.
The attitude OF the state authorities Is
eagerly studied. Governor Waite returned
to Denver Friday and some things that he
said showed that he sympa,hlzed with the
miners as against the deputies.
In response TO request from the governor,
Attorney General Eugly gave an opinion that
the sending OF armed men Into Z! Paso from
Arapahoe county was In violation OF law.
Friday morning party of masked miners
visited the Strong mine where non-union
men were at work and ordered the men out.
Immediately after the warning had been
given two large blasts were placed by the
strikers. one in the shaft and the other beloT
the boiler A fuse was attached and the pee
pie In the ueighborhood were told to get away
As the fuse was burning it was discovered
that there were 40 boxes OF giant powder
In the mine, which could be ignitcd by the
blasts Several OF those instrumental in the
destruction OF the property rushed TO the
mine and carried the powder to n safe DIS
lance. II 1t had exploded portion, If not
all, the town Of Victor would have been de-
stroyed.
The mine property was completely de-
stroyed. The explosion was heard all over
the camp. The tlmberlng was blown in all
directions, and portions of the boiler were
found after all was over several hundred feet
away. Rumors were circulated for n long
time after that all the workmen had been
killed by the explosion, but this is probably
not correct, as some OF them were seen TO
Leave the property and go towards Cripple
Creek somewhat frightened.
An hour or two later the striking miners
to accen,uatc their work Of destruction, set
tire TO the shaft house and it burned for over
an hour The army from Denver witnessed
the blaze.
Two armed women gained entrance to the
bunk-housc OF the Independence mine and
before the eighteen non-unlon men there
knew what was up, mae them throw up
their hands. party OF strikers then came
in aud dlsarmed the men. They were Or
dered 10 go to Cripple Creek and not re-
turn.
John Thomas, who was so badly beaten by
the strikers Thursday, on the supposltlon that
he was spy or non-unlon man, died of his
injuries the next day.
The miners have been at work for some
time getting ready for a determined attack.
The approaches to the mines, which are most
bitterly IN dispute between the miners
and the owners, are guarded in every dircc-
ton.
Bull mountain, from the top OF which miles
and miles of country can be scanned has a
strong fertilization, composed Of logs, rocks and
sand. Two hundred men can command all
sides, and the capture OF the fort would be a
dangerous undertaking. Tho Victor, indie
pendence, Strong, Pharmacist and other
mines are in view. Battle mountain, Little
Bull mountain, Grouse mountain and Squaw
mountain are all patrolled by miners. Every
one who approaches is examined and qucs-
toned, md oftcntimes warned OF as In times
of war.
The towns Of Victor and Altman are in n
state bordering on siege. Miners, armed to
the teeth, walk the streets, come of them
fierce. daredevil looking men, with Win
chesters on their shoulders and two revolvers
hanging from their belts. Those whom they
have reason to be suspicious of are told to