The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-30
INVASION BY MINERS
FIRING UPON THEIR OWN MEN
BY MISTAKE.
WILLS BLOWN UP BY GIANT POWDER
One Man Dead d Another MortalIy Wounded.
Bunk Hill and Sullivan Mine Blown
Up Because of Employment Of
Non Union Miners.

Wardner, Idaho. April 29.-Nardner
today has been the scene of the worst
riot since the deadly labor war of
1892 One man is dead. another is
thought to be mortally wounded and
property valued at S250,000 has been
destroyed by giant powder and fire.
The damage was done by union min
ers and sympathizers from Canyo l
Creek, about 20 miles from Nardner.
This morning a mob of from 1000
men. all of them armed and many of
them asked. seized train at Burke,
the head of Canyon Creek. There
were nine box ears and Il passenger
coach and they were thronged with
the mob. The visitors brought with
them 5000 pounds of giant powder.
After parley of two hours 140
masked men armed will Winchester
rifles, the Burke men in the lead and
those from Wardner following, start
ed with yells for the Bunker Hill and
Sullivan mill and other buildings, a
third of mile from the depot. they
sent pickets ahead and one of the
pickets fred shot as a signal that
the mill was abandoned This was
misunderstood by the main body OF
the mob, who imagined that non
union miners in the .bills had opened
fire on them and they began to fire
upon their own piciets.
About 1000 shots We're thus eX-
changed between the rioters and their
pickets and Jack Smith. one of the
pickets. formerly of British Column
bia. and noted figure in drill con-
tests, was shot dead.
By this time the strikers had taken
possession of the Bunker Hill and
Sullivan mills, which they found de-
serted, the manager having directed
his employees not to risk their lives
by battling with the mob. Powder
was called for and six 50-pound boxes
were carried from the depot to the
mill. The heaviest charge was placed
under the brick building. Other
charges were placed around the mill
Then the broad house. a frame struc-
ture, was burned Fuses leading TO
the charges were lighted and the
strikers. CARRYING the dead body of
the picket. retired to safe distance.
At 2:36 p. IN. the first blast we,it
off. 1t shook the ground for miles,
and buildings in Wardner, two miles
away. trembled. At intervals of
about sixty seconds four other
charges went on, the fifth being the
largest and completely demolishing
the mill. The loss to the Bunker Hill
and Sullivan Company is estimated
at from $250O00 to 100000.
In few minutes the strikers went
back to the station, the whistle was
blown for stragglers. the mob climb
ed aboard and at o'clock, just three
hours after its arrival, the train start
ed for Canyon Creek.
During me fusilade from the guns
of the mob. Jim Chain, Bunker Hill
and Sullivan mine man, was severely
shot through the hips. 1t is reported
that he was carried off by the strik-
ers and that his wound is probably
fatal. j. j. Rogers. stenographer in
the employ of the company, was shot
through the hip, but his wound is
trivial. &
This morning the 230 non-,lnion
miners at the Bunker Hill and Sull-
van had warning of the coming of
the mob and left the mill aud took
to the hills. They have not been seen
since. Union men working in the
Last Chance left the mine this after
noon. presumably to take part in the
riot.
The present strike in the Couer
D'Alene mining district began about ten
days ago and is directed principally
against the Bunker Hill and Sullivan
mine at Wardner. where non-union men
are employed. The demands of the min
ers for increased wages were met by .he
mine owners. but the miners demand
h.t al. 4,
nonunon men be discharged.
This the mne-ownerS refused to do.
and the Last Chance Mine closed today.
The Bunker Hill and Sullivan. however.
continued TO run with non-union E2en
n IL.