The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-26
One Hundred Pounds of Giant Powder
Dropped Into Mine Shaft Near
Cripple Creek.
ALL TOILERS BELOW KILLED
Strong Force of Officers Prepar-
ing to Give Battle.
Reign CT Terror i'm the Gold Camps
Pennsylvania Coke Region Rioters
Routed by Cold Rain.


Eleven men killed, with strong prob
ability that the number OF dead win be
increased when all is known, Is the record
of the first day OF trouble here. although
real fighting has not yet begun as ths
deputies are awaiting reinforcements be-
fore beginning active operations. AZ 10
o'clock this morning eleven men started
to work in the Strong mine On E3afsss
mountain. Shortly afterward q barge
paxty Of strikers blew up &he -sl1afc House
with powder causing a loss OF s2ann aand
then dropped one hundred pounds Of giant
powder ,down the shaft. which was also
exploded. killing all the worKmen.
Not more than three hundred Tauds
from the Strong shaft house sixteen nea
who had been engaged 20 go 90 HorAsiu
the Independence mine were suryoitn6sd
in their bunk house, and after d long
parley agreed to surrender Each one skas
armed with o. rife ana q brace % ecs
volvers. and the arms are now IA the poss
session. OF the strikers.
1t is rumored that the strikers etcacksd
the Anna Lee mine. overpoweflng fhs
guards, after which they blew UP ehs
shaft house, but the rumor has DOT been
verified. When the deputies are finally
massed and the two forces come together
fought The situation at o'clock tonight
is one Of most painful anxiety. Not few
believe the town will be a smolderins
mass by another sunset If the strikers be
not restrained.
At Victor, six miles away, where fully
one thousand people reside. a reign OF ter
ror exists. Within half mile Of the cor
poration limits of the town all day long
fully three hundred union miners. armed
with rifles. have paraded up and down the
side of the hilL Occasionally a detour into
whom the miners thought to be objection !.
able were ordered TO leave the place. The
guards FROM Denver. upon arrival at Vic
tor, went into camp on a neighboring hill
q
tirely surrounding them. but at a distance
that guarantees them safety from the depu-
ties rifles.
1t is said that the strikers have planted
under their breastworks on Bull hill a
quantity of dynamite with the intention of
blowing Ii up IL 1t should be taken and oc-
cupied by the deputies. One OF the largest
mine owners in Colorado Springs is au-
thority for the statement that the mine
owners have planted a rifle cannon on a
hill commanding the breastworks and that
it will be used to dislodge the strikers
from their position.
All sorts of rumors concerning the do
ings at the Strong mine were afioat to-
night One is to the effect that the work.
off by masked strikers. All telephone ccu-
nections have been broken and it is feared
the telegraph wires will go next The dep
uties from Denver have withdrawn to a
less exposed position, where they will await
renforcements. The strikers. from their
stronghold on Bull hill. can view the coun-
try for miles, and all passes are guarded
by them Every stranger is intercepted
and not allowed to proceed towards the
town unless a satisfactory explanation OF
his business is given. No one is permitted
near enough TO the seat OF war 10 be in
danger. and the streets OF Cripple Creek
and Victor, as well as the passes, are pa
trolled by miners carrying Winchesters and
revolvers.. The capture and disarming Of
deputies. numbering eighteen. which oc-
Cured this morning. was accomplished by
women, and ever since the occurrence two
of the women have been holding high court
in a saloon. where the strikers shower con-
gratulations on them. Two wagons loaded
with powder and cartridges for one OF the
mines were captured by the strikers and
their contents confiscated.
Sam Mcdonald, superintendent OF the
Strong Anna Lee and Gold King minis.
and Charley Robinson. foreman Of the
Strong, are missing. which gives credencs
to the story of slaughter II the men were
In certain portions OF the mine the con-
cussion may not have killed them. Samuel
Strong. owner of the mine. Is given as au.
thority FOX the statement that eleven men
were killed.
1t is raining furiously and any further
move tonight is not looked for. Deputies
have been coming In quietly all day. and
it is thought an unexpected move Is antici-
pated. -. - !.