The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-28
PAUL CORCORAN GUILTY
Second Degree Is the Verdict of
the Jury.
GIVEN SEVENTEEN YEARS
1t Was Considered Test Case-The
Other Three Hundred Men Will
Now Be Brought to Trial-Ex-
pected an AcQuittal.

Wallace, Idaho, July 27.-Paul Cor
coran was this morning found guilty
of murder in the second degree by a
jury in the district court for the kill
ing Of James Cheyne at wardner on
April 29 last during the riots, when a
mob of 1000 miners blew up the Bunker
Hill and Sullivan concentration.
Judge Stewart this afternoon SEN
fenced Corcoran to II years in the
penitentiary. Corcoran was consider
ed test case, and had he been acquit-
ted,it is improbable that any of the other
500 men who are under arrest would
have been tried for participation in the
riots and murder at Wardner This
afternoon, however. Judge Stewart set
the trials of Craddock and Inman, on
a charge of numbering Schmidt and
Cheyne, for Sept. 4.
The trial of Corcoran consumed about
one month and attracted wide atten-
ton in the United States, especially
among union laborers. The jurymen
were from a distant portion of the
county, and consisted of farmers and
miners. Hundreds of witnesses were
examined, and both the state and the
defense We're represented by able coun-
sell
The jury retired about 10 o'clock last
night, after listening to the charge of
Judge Stewart, and at o'clock this
morning a verdict of murder in the sec
ond degree was agreed upon. Within
20 minutes after the jury retired last
night, IL of them favored the verdict
finally rendered, but one man held out
six hours for murder in the first de-
gree. Under the Idaho laws murder in
hA t. irl,o Il. hty,
prisonment from 10 years to life.
Many prominent members of the
Miners union here to-day expressed
great surprise at the verdict, and stated
that they confidentally expected an ac-
quittal. Although the union consider
the sentence of II years severe, no move
has yet been made by Corcoran's at
torneys for new trial. and it is stated
that none will be made.
The crime for which Paul Corooran
was to-day found guilty and sentenced
to IL years in the peniteniiary was
committed at Wardner on April go las,
when a mob of 1000 miners captured IL
Northern Pacific train here and rcd
to Wardner and blew up the Bunker
Hill and Sullivan conentrator with
dynamite. During the riot hundred !
Of shots were fired, and two men. Smi h
and Cheyne, were killed The trouble
was of long standing and grew out of
the refusal of the Bunker Hill arc
Sullivan company to recognize the
miners union. The miners union de-
manded that all non-union men be dis
charged by the Bunker Hill company,
and that only union miners be em-
ployed. The company declined to ac-
cede to the demand and the result was
their concentration at Wardner, value /
at quarter of a million dollars, was
blown up with dynamite. About 800
miners are now under arrest, charge l
with riot. conspiracy, murder, stopping
a mail train, and other offenses. Their
trials will not occur until the next term
of court in September.
George Craddock and Joseph Inman,
indicted jointly with Corcoran, for the
murder of John Schmidt and Jan e.
Cheyne, were taken to court to-day.
and their trials set for September A.
when the regular fall term of court be-
gins.
The congressional industrial commit
tee spent considerable time to-day wi h
Manager Burbidge of the Bunker Hill
company, securing from him the anti
union opinion in the Occur d'Alene
troubles. Ex-senator Lee Mantle, a
member of the committee. arrived to-
day and will remain during the ses-
sion.