Rocky Ford enterprise., 1899-03-16
RloTlNG AT LAKE CITY.
Italian Miners Reported to Bs Opposing
the Officers with Arms.

says.
Blood may he shed at Henson to-
morrow morning shortly after day
light as the result of II clash of arms
between striking Italian miners and II
posse headed by Sheriff Dick and made
up of some of the best citizens of IIius-
dale county.
The Italians are heavily armed and
will he entrenchcd behind huge boul-
ders and carthworks. from which they
can pour II whitening fire into the ranks
of the rossc. That there will he Il bat
tle to the death is firmly believed in
this city Tonight.
Notwithstanding the tremendous ad-
vantage which the miners lave over
the officers. the latter declare that they
will move on the Italians at daylight
The Italians number 200 and there Is
no hope expressed that they will quiet
ly submit 10 the arrest of their leaders.
The widest rumors are prevalent to-
night and II Is known that the Italians
are In possession of Henson. and that
every one of them is thoroughly armed.
Conferences to-day with them came TO
naught, and there We're frequent as
s:i,ilts made on those who attempted 10
parlcy with them.
II a battle occurs II will he the climax
to the mos; exciting period In the his
tory of mining In this country.
six weeks ago the Hidden Treasure
and Ute and Ulay mining companies Mt
Henson, three and u half miles from
here. notified employees that III single
men must board nj company boarding
houses or quit. This was agreed 10 and
all was going smoothly until the Min
ers' Union. composed almost entirely of
Italians. met about two weeks ago and
voted to refuse to work under condi-
tions laid down by the two companies.
Steps were Immediately taken 10 re-
place the Italians with other laborers.
and rumors were soon flying about to
the effect that serious trouble was
brewing. The attention of the county
officials was called TO the serious CON
dition of affairs, hut almost no heed
was taken of repeated warnings.
Last Saturday parties Investigated,
and found that almost every iircnrm in
the town had been purchased by the
Italians. This caused considerable
alarm. hut still the authorities took no
action.
The crisis came with u rush. and
unexpectedly. therefore. this morning.
No warning was given the American
miners that anything was wrong until
the day shifts In the mines started 10
work.
The miners were met by the Italians
armed with Winchester rifles. and ev.
cry one of the miners was forced
down the hill and INTO the town of
Henson. Not n man was allowed to
enter the mines. Half n dozen men
who had the tc:ncrity to return were
beaten for their bravery. and were in
formed that If they again returned
they would he shot. That the threats
would have been carried into execution
no one doubts.
Messrs. Nicholson and Wearnc,
supcriDtcndents of the mines. came in
to Lake City to-day and sworc out
warrants for the arrest of half Il dozen
of the ringlendprs of the Italians. and
Sheriff Deck deDutized number of
citizens to assist him in making the ar
rest. and also called on Lieutenant
Blnir. Company a. Pitkin Guards. for
rifles. Captain Eddy not being in town.
When the nrmory was visited the
startling discovery wns made that II
had been broken into last nigh. and all
the arms ard ammunition of the coEi-
pany had been stolen.
The United States authorities were
at once notified. and Governor Thomas
was also wired There is no doubt but
what the armory was robbed by the
Italians.
Immediately after the discovery of
the loOting of the armory. confer
ence of citizens was called and the
sheriff was instructed to proceed with
only one deputy to the mines. and en-
deavor to prevail on the Italians to lay
down their arms and submit to the
arrest of their leaders. for whom he
hrldswarrants.
Sheriff Deck and n deputy went to
Henson and after three hours of par
ley were forced to return to Lake City
without accomplishing anything be-
yond closing the saloons In the village.
The Italians absolutely refused to con-
s!der any psnc, oHertures, and declared
that they would never submit to mr.
rest, nor would they allow the miners
to return to work.
Another conference of citizens was
called for this evening and several
hours was spent in discussing the situ-
alton. The outcome waS that posse
was organized and the decision was
reached to move on the Italians short
ly after daybreak. The gravity of the
situation is thoroughly realized.
The county authorities to-day exact
ed promise from the mine owners
that they Woulu hereafter employ no
Italians.
Tonight lights burn in the homes of
half the people of Lake City. showing
that the citizens are awake. while
scores of men are on the streets, all
thoroughly armed and prepared for an
immediate fray. while waiting for the
first strenks of dawn to some. when
they will form in line and march on
the Italians unless meanwhile they are
notified that the Italians will submit to
arrest.