The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-05-31
DESPERATE MINERS
Terrible Slaughter Of Human Be-
ings at Cripple Creek.
ARE BLOWN UP WITH POWDER
Eleven Workmen in the Strong Mine Said
to Have Been Observation-Disclosures
Taken as Prisoners.


CRIPPLE CREEK, May 26.-Eleven men
killed, with a strong probability that
the number of dead will be increased
when all is known, is the record of the
first day of the trouble here, although
the real fighting has not yet begun, as
the deputies are awaiting reinforce
ments before beginning active opera
tions.
At 10 o'clock yesterday morning
eleven men started to work in the
Strong mine on Battle mountain. Short
ly afterward large party of strikers
blew up the shafthouse with powder,
causing loss of 1926, 900, and then
dropped 100 pounds of giant powder
down the shaft, which was also ex.
ploded, killing all the inmates. Not
shafthouse sixteen men who had been
engaged to go to work in the Indepen-
dence mine were surrounded in their
bunkhouse, aud after 4 long parley
agreed to surrender. Each one was
armed with a rifle and brace ofrevolvers,
the arms now being in possession of the
strikers. 1t is rumored that the strikers
attacked the Anna Lee mine, overpow-
ering the guards, after which they blew
up the shafthouse, but the rumor has
not been confirmed. When the deputies
are finally massed and the two forces
come together most desperate battle
will doubtless be fought.
The situation at o'clock last night
was one of most painful anxiety Not
few believe the town will be a smold-
ering mass by another sunset If the
strikers are not restrained. At Victor,
six miles away, where fully 900 people
reside, 4 reign of terror exists. Within
half mile of the corporation limits of
the town all day long fully 300 miners
armed with rifles have paraded up and
down the side of the hill. Occasionally
detour into the village would be made
aud people whom the miners thought to
be OBJ jectionable were ordered TO leave
the place. Guards from Denver, upon
their arrival at Victor, went into camp
on a neighboring hill. The strikers
threw out picket line entirely sur
rounding them, but at a distance that
guarantees them safety from The depu-
ties rifles. IL is said the strikers have
planted under their breastworks on
Bull Hill quantity of dynamite, with
the intention of blowing it up if it
should be taken and occupied by the
deputies. One of the largest mine own
ers in Colorado Springs is authority for
the statement that the mine owners
have planted rife cannon on the hill
commanding the breastworks and that
it will be used TO dlslodgc the strikers
from that position.
Tonight all sorts of rumors concern
ing the doing of the Strong mine are
afloat. One is to the effect that the
workmen were not killed, having been
warned off by masked strikers. All
telephone communication has been
broken, and it is feared the telegraph
wires will so next. The deputies from
Denver have withdrawn to a less ex
posed position, where they will avail,
reinforcements. The strikers from
their stronghold on Bull hill can view
the country for miles, and all passe.
are guarded by them. Every stranger /,
intercepted and not allowed to proceed
unless a satisfactory explanation of hi.
business is given No one is permitted
to get near enough to the seat of wal
to be in danger, and the streets o.
Cripple Creek and Victor, as we'll as the
passes, are patrolled by miners carryin,
Winchesters and revolvers.
The capture and dlsarmlng of tn,
deputies, numbering eighteen, was &C
complished by women, and ever sine,
the occurrence two of the women hav,
been holding high court in 4 saloon
where the strikers heap congratulation
. upon them. Two wagons loaded wit
| powder and cartridges for one of tn
: mines were captured by the striker
, and their contents confscated
! Sam Mcdonald, superintendent of tn
Z Strong, Anna Lee and Gold King mine:
and Charlie Robinson, foreman of tn
= Strong, are missing, which gives ev
dence to the story of the slaughter.
the men were in certain portions of tn
mine the coacussion may not hav
killed them. Sam Strong, owner of IL
mine, is given as authority for tn
statement that eleven men were killeI
1t Is raining furious.y and any furthe
move tonight is not looked for. Dep
= ties have been coming In quietly all a
: and it is thought an unexpected move
. anticipated.
1t is stated on good authority tn;
. Governor Waite is in sympathy wit
= the strikers and will tomorrow issue
proclamation against the deputies al
e call out the militia to attack and di
arm them.
d Going Via Milwaukee,