The Springfield herald., 1897-02-12
o'MAHoNEY AND OVERS.
They Testify Before tho Leadville Invcsti.
eating Committee.

eating Committee.
Denver, Feb. IA special to the Re
publican last night said:
The legislative Investigating commit
tee resumed its session this morning
Sheriff p. +. OMahoney was the first
witness. He testified that the com.
munity was peaceful until the starting
up of the Coronado. He believed that
it was the starting that mine that
caused the conditions to change There
was a current rumor at the time that
members of the Miners Union were
carrying arms. The peace officers were
partial. The troops We're not sent
soon enough, and when they We're sent,
300 would have been sufficient to keep
the peace. The presence of the militia
undoubtedly acted as a restraining in
tiuence. He has had no trouble since
he took office. The witness said that
he believed that the fifty militiamen
now on duty should remain. He con-
sldered the conduct of the Missouri
miners since their arrival here as good.
Mayor S. d. Nicholson testified that
about August IA he heard a rumor that
the union had bought arms. He also
heard that the owners of the Coronado
had bought arms. He did not appre-
hend any trouble. Thought the con-
uucI ol Ilt imported miners IN the
main was not good.
The committee sent word to ex-Sher-
iff Newman. asking whether he de-
sired to make any statement. He re-
piled that he had no explanation to
make. and had nothing to say.
Judge Frank w. Overs of the Dis
trict court was next called. and told
his story as follows: It was in March
when he first heard that n strike was
to occur On June 10. while he was at
Twin Lakes, the news was telegraphed
from Leadville that strike was de-
clared. He was surprised. and consid-
cred it ill-advised. He came to Lead
vile and began to take such steps as
were calculated to bring about a set
tlement. He went to Twin Lakes with
Judge Kerr and Senator Grove to see
Mr.. Campion. He there first learned
of the agreement between the mine
managers under which It took a ma
torlty of them to take any action. He
did not go to Twin Lakes in an official
capacity. but as n citizen interested in
seeing termination of the trouble.
The meeting was fruitless of results.
At all meetings. the terms proffered
were satisfactory to only four or five
of the managers.
Witness had heard of outrages being
common and had had an Interview.
with the officers of the Miners Union
In regard to them. They denied all
knowledge of any outrageS. hut wit
ness warned them that they must obey
the laws. and whatever chance they
had for success would be. ieopnrdized
by any acts of violence. The officers
assured him that they would try to in
tlnence their men to keep the peace
When the complaints came Of armed
bodies of men around the city he again
sent for the officers of the union and
had talk with them. They told him
they knew nothing of these armed bod
les of men. but that they had pickets
stationed on the outside to advise peo
pie of the strike. The pickets were nm
armed and were instructed TO use only
moral suasion. Judge Overs said he
told them they had no right to patrol
the outside. and that would he intimi.
dation. They agreed that the pickets
should be instructed not to turn any-
body hack
After the decision in the Weldon
case. Judge Overs said. in which thc
court fixed So as the rate of pay for
all underground men and men at the
collar of the shaft. and $3.50 for all
other surface labor. the officers of the
union declared that they were willing
to accept the Weldon decision as the