Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1894-12-07
TO CLOSE THE MINE
Manager Instructed to Shut Down
the Bunker Hill.
THE REASONS FOR THE STRIKE
Ofhcers of the WarJner Union Reclte
the Story of Their Grievances-
The Blacklist.

Wardner Idaho, Nov 27.-The Bunker
Hill and Sullivan mine, which for year
has employed upwards of $50 men, will
lock up it's works within a day or two,
and the indications are that 1t will
remain closed all winter
The shut down of the big mine will
be severe blow to Wardner, which
had just begun to recover from the
effects of the big strike of two years
ago. The town today has prosperous
air. There are no street indications of
a strike as yet, and it is the generally
expressed wish that it will remain so
The miners are creating no disturban-
ces; neither do they gather on the
streets nor in saloon to any extent.
They have made no public demostra-
tons, the nearest approach to it being
at the time of the strike, when about $50
men marched up to the mine to have
the non-union men quit work.
Superintendent Bent explained, how
ever, that only a few men were at
work except the shift bosses. and these
were trimming up the ground and
timbering the roof in the Slopes so
that the mine might be in good con-
ultlOn penang the strike.
This seemed to satisfy the strikers
and they marched back to the town
There was no noise and the little dem
onstration had no objective features
merely showing of strength.
ORDERS FROM HEADQUARTERS
AS soon as the miners took definite
action, the manager of the mine sent
report to the officers of the company
at San Francisco. Late Monday even
ing the following telegram was re-
ceived:
San Francisco. Call Nov. 26-F w.
Bradley. Wardner, Idaho: Owing to the
steady decline for months past in the price
of silver and lead. giving this company a
very small profit at the cost of the rapid
exhaustion of it's mines, the company has
contemplated for some time past the clos
ing of its works, but has hesitated TAX
ing such action, hoping for improved
prices and disliking to discharge its en-
ployes at the beginning of winter Now
! that there is no prospect of improved
prices and the company is relieved of all
responsibility by the action of the miners
union making such demands that to &C.
cede thereto would be virtually surrender
ing the management of its affairs to that
association, you are directed to pay off all
employees and close operation.
N. II. HARRIS, President.
WILL PAY OFF AND CLOSE.
when will you close the mine p
the reporter asked of Manager Bradley,
II sent the bookkeeper up to the mine
this afternoon to begin paying Off" he
! said. LAS soon as that is completed
| the orders from President Harris will
| be obeyed.
We have been adverse to shutting
down." Manager Bradley continued
| las tn success of the property depends
upon its reputation for "a continuous
supply. We have done everything we
could to keep open, a small force of mer
being at work cleaning up in order thai
those desiring to return to work might
| do so. The sheriff of the county has
also been here to give protection tc
all who desired to work. None, how
ever, seem to take advantage of the
| chance"
Have you had no applications"
"A large number of men have told
me they were anxious to go back tC
work, but they say they are afraid"