The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-05-17
LABOR RIOTS IN IDAHO.
Strikers Blow Up Bunker Hill and
Sullivan Mill at Wardner.
Kllled One OF Their Pickets by Mistaks-
War Department Sends Regulars
to Restore Order.

wARpNER, Idaho Especially One thou.
sand masked and armed strikers stole q
train at Burke, came here few days ago,
and shortly afterward exploded 600 pounds
Of dynamite In Bunker Hill and Sullivan
Mill, totally destroying the mill and brick
office buildings adjoining. Tho striker,
set FIRE to the wooden boarding house be.
fore leaving for Burke on their train, threa
hours after their arrival.
During the excitement the main body OF
strikers fred on their own pickets, killing
Jack Smith, one OF the pickets. As they
left here Jim Cheyenne, one OF the non.
union men employed in a mill, was shot
through the hips. He was carried away
by the strikers. J. J.. Rogers, stsnog-
rapher for the company, was shot through
the hip.
The stolen train arrived at 1l.50 q. M,
and consisted OF nine box cars and pass
enger coach, all Of which were crowded.
The strikers brought with them six hun
dred pounds OF dynamite: They sent a
squad in advance to see II the coast was
clear. One OF the plckets fred shot as a
signal that oil was well. The main body,
thinking themselves attacked by non.
union men, poured a fusillade oil
shots into tho underbrush on the
side hill where the pickets stood,
killing Smith. About 1000 shots wers
fired before the fatal error was dis
covered. Smiths body was carried to the
mill. The mill was deserted. The manage
ment ordered employees not to risk their
lives by efforts to save property. Heavy
dynamite charges were placed among the
mill machinery and under the office build
ing. Fuses were lighted and the boardt- q
house fred. after which the strikers, carry
Ing their dead comrade, withdrew to the
eide hills about half mile away.
At 2.26 the first explosion occurred. It
was followed by five others. The mill and
other structures were totally destroyed and
are now but heaps Of: ashes and piles OF
shattered machinery. At $50 the strikers
boarded their train and started for home,
e,:ng fusiIlade as they embarked.
Cheyenne was wounded during this firing.
The strikers did not visit the mine. The
236 miners had been warned and took to the
hills.
The present strike in the Cour d'Alens
mining district. began about two weeks
ago, and is directed principally against the
Bunker Hill and Sullivan Mine, where non.
union men are employed. The demands OF
the miners for increased wages were met
by the mine owners, but the miners de.
mand that the union be recognized and
the mine owners refused to do. The Bun
ker Hill and Sullivan, however, continued
to- run with non-union men until they were
driven out.
The Governor has asked President Nc
Kinley for 500 regulars, pointing out that
nearly all the State militia volunteered for
service In the Philippines. There are two
companies Of militia in the Cour d'Alenes,
but most ofths men are am mong the strikers.
The miners declare that they will blow up
every mine and mill that. starts with non
u nion men.
Governor steunenberg has received as.
surances from the War Department that
he will have the support OF the regular
army in suppressing the trouble at Ward.
ner. General Merriam has been ordered
10 Wardner from snver to assume charge
OF the military.
The proprietors of the Bunker Hill min
Ing property, which was destroyed, have
wired the State Government saying they
wish TO rebuild and asking II they are to
have the protection OF the authorities.
They have been answered in the Affirmative.