The Delta independent., 1894-05-30
IMPORTANT COLORADO NEWS.
THE CRIPPLE CREEK WAR.


i mines AT cripple creek 10 RESUME WoTk thab
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 to begin shipping
ore over the new roads that are now within
reach Of their mines. To do this they real
;; lied that they must put non-union men to
work and give them an ample guard OF dep
uty sherifs.
A special train bearing los armed men left
, Denver for Cripple Creek Friday night 1t
was reported that these men would be made
deputy sheriffs and act as guards for some OF
the large mines, which would start up on
nine-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 Creek.
Nobody doubts but that serious trouble is
at hand. The miners are as well armed as
the guards, and many of them are desperate
men,
Friday morning the two guards at the Vic
tor mine were surprised by armed men and
made to surrender their guns. They were
not harmed.
Two men were assaulted at Altman on sus-
picion Of being non-union men.
The Denver deputies arrived over the Flor
ence & Cripple Creek road at O'Clock. The
party was under command Of J. 9. Veatch,
ex-chef of police of Denver. The men were
landed about mile and half from Victor
A number Of the men who were sent out as
scouts were fired 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 It toward
Florence.
The men camped at Wilbur until REIN
forcemcnts should arrive.
Orders were sent to Denver for an addi-
tional force Of guards and County Detective
De Lue began to recruit men for service. 1t
was expected that 1875 would leave for Grip
pile Creek Saturday morning. 1t was reported
that other forces would be enlisted at Colo
RADIO Springs, Pueblo and Leadvile. One
hundred and fifty men were recruited at
Colorado Springs Friday afternoon by Sheriff
Bowers and sent to 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 sympathized with the
miners as against the deputies.
In response to . request from the governor,
Attorney General Engly gave an opinion that
the sending Of armed men into Ell Paso from
Arapahoe county was In violation Of law.
Friday morning party = 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 below
the boiler. A fuse was attached and the peo-
pie In the neighborhood were told to get away.
As the fuse was burning 1t was discovered
that there were 46 boxes OF giant powder
in the mine, which could be ignited by the
blasts. Several Of those instrumental in the
destruction Of the property rushed to the
mine and carried the powder to a safe dis
tancc. II 1t had exploded . portion, II 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 timbering was blown In all
directions, and portions Of the boiler were
found after all was over several hundred feet
away Rumors were circulated for long
time after that all the workmen had been
killed by the explosion, but this is probably
not correct as some Of them wcre seen to
leave the property and go towards Cripple
Creek somewhat frightened.
An hour or two later the striking miners,
to accentuatc their work Of destruction, set
fire to the shaft house and II burned for over
an hour. The army from Denver witnessed
the blaze.
mt tn fha
bunk-house Of the Independence mine and
before the eighteen non-unIon men there
knew what was up, made them throw up
their hands. A party Of strikers then came
in and dIsarmed the men. They were Or
dcred TO 60 to Cripple Creek and not re-
turn.
John Thomas, who was so badly beaten by
the strikers Thursday, on the supposition that
he was a spy or non-unlon man, died OF his
injuries the next day.
The miners have been at work for some
time getting ready for n determined attack.
The approaches to the mines, which are most
bitterly In dispute between the miners
and the owners, are guarded in every direc.
tion.
Bull mountain, from the top Of which miles
and miles OF country can be scanned, has q
strong fortifcation, composed Of logs, rocks and
sand. Two hundred men can command all
sides, and the capture Of the fort would be n
dangerous undertaking. Tho Victor, Inde-
pendeuce, Strong, Pharmacist and other
mines are in view. Battle mountain, Little
Bull mountain, Grouse mountain and squaw
mountain are all patrollcd by miners. Every
one who approaches is examined and ques-
toned, and often:imes warned on 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, some 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 arc told TO
| go, and thu order is generally obcyed. The