The morning call., 1894-03-18
TO BATTLE SOON.
Troops Rushing to Cripple
Creek.
STRIKERS READY TO FIGHT.
Seven Hundred Armed Miners
Hold the Fort.
STRIKERS READY TO FIGHT.
TO-DAY THE FORCES WILL MEET.
There Will Be Serious Conflict, and
More Blood VIII Flow on
the Gold Fields.

CRIPPLE CREEK. Colo, March 17-An
anxious day has followed a night of ex-
element and adventure in the great gold
mining district known TO the world as
Cripple Greek. The resistance offered the
Sheriff's posse by the miners who are
striking for an eigbt-hour day and the same
wages as were formerly paid for nine hours,
and the call for the militia have given af-
fairs warlike aspect.
After driving from Bull Hill the six
Deputy Sheriffs stationed there, one of
whom was shot. but not seriously wounded.
in the melee, the miners would not allow
any stranger in that neigh borhood during
the night. Sheriff Bowers Immediately
called out Troop A of the Colorado Guard,
under authority given him by law, and TO-
day be made a requisitioD on the Governor
for more troops, in accordance with which
the First Regiment of Denver, with the
signal corps and the Chaffee Light Artil-
lery, and Company c. Second Regiment of
Pueblo, was ordered to proceed hither un-
der command of Adjutant- General Tars-
ney. These troops are expected to arrive
In camp tonight.
The telegraph wires are still down be-
tween Cripple Creek and Bull Hill. but it
is learned the miners are defiant and
threaten to resist the troops when they
arrive. The Sheriff is arming and equip
ping men to supplement the troops.
Every gun, pistol and weapon available
in the town is ready for use if necessary.
The streets are thronged with people.
among whom are many idle and hungry
men. The saloons and gambling-places
are jammrd. In the moving mass the most
jovial ones are the union miners, who de-
clare they are not afraid of a handful of
soldiers. They represent the faction which
is steadfast on the hills awaiting develop
ments. Another faction of miuers, WIN
are believed to be in the majority, are will.
ing 10 go to work at nine hours, but say
the protection offered By the county is
Inadequate.
If a lash of arms occurs the miners
VIII have the advaD age of position. Bull
Mountain is one of the largest of the cIUs-
Ter Of hills that surround Cripple Creek.
1t is heavily timbered, and is crossed by
foot trails and wagon roads from the
various mines. Between the town of
Cripple Creek and the summit of Bull
Mountain are a number of massive
rounded hills almost destitute OF tim Der,
and among these hills are the small min.
ing camps built about the big mines. 1t is
is in this region that the scene OF
battle will occur. Along the trails lead
ing over the hills last night the miners
were collected, shooting at passing pedes-
trians or people on horseback.
Sheriff Bowers now has force Of 25C
deputies armed with repeating rifles. 10C
additional men having arrived tonight
from Colorado Springs. but he will not
attempt to arrest any of the men who
participated in last nights disturbance al
Altman until the militia arrive. The
troops from Denver and Pueblo will moi
reach here till morning. At 10 O'clock
they were at Woodland ParK ana il is no
likely they will reach Midland before
midnight. They will then have to march
nine miles over the mountains.
No further outbreak has been reported
to-day. At Altman quiet prevails tonight
although several hundred miners, all
armed are Iounging about