The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1900-03-23
Defense in the Idaho Riot Cases
Now Giving Its Version of
the Affair.
Governor Steuncnberg Tells the
Committee Why He Asked
for Troops.
Sinclair Acted as Agent Because
OF the Governors Illness at
the Time.

WASHINGTON. March 23.-Unusual
interest attached To the Cuur d'Alcne
investigation As the prosecution after
presenting testimony almost uninter.
ruptedly for five weeks. closed its case
and gave way TO the defense Governor
Steunenberg Of Idaho was the first wit.
ness called to rcbut the charges which
have been made. He is type Of the
sturdy far West, Of massive build, and
his indifference To conventionalties is
shown by Il refusal to wear necktie.
AS he took the stand he spread before him
several hundred telegraph dispatches.
The examination was conducted by J.
4. Cheney. one Of the counsel for the
defense. Governor Steuncnburg said
he was elected governor IF Idaho in
1896, on the Peoples. Democratic ticket.
having accepted the nomination of the
Democratic convention. He read
number of kilograms dated several DAYS
prior TO the blowing up OF the Bunker
Hill mine on April %, and leading up
10 that event.
Why lie Asked for Aid.
On April %. Frederick Burbridge of
the Bunker liill mine telcgraphed that
an armed mob had stopped the Bunker
Hill men from working and calling for
protection 10 the property interests. He
also read many kilograms to and from
the sheriff aud others showing the steps
taken to maintain order. The governor
suggested arbitration of differences but
in answer Mr. Burbridge stated there
was nothing u arblirate and again
called for protection. On April %. the
day Of the blowing up OF the mill. Gov
ernor Steunenbers said he received Mt
1887 a. IN. u dispatch from Mr.. Bur
bridge stating that all the miners OF
Canyon Creek had laid off and were
coming> a. Wardner to menace the
Bunker Hill men. This was ac-
commnied by another request for pro.
lection 4, the same time dispatches
were received from \. l.. Mohler OF the
q. II. & y. first stating that All armed
force had taken possession OF the rail
road tracks at Wardner. and then at
D. IN. stating that the rioters had set
fire to the Bunker Hill. that they had
that ii would BE- blown up. Sheriff
Young also telegraphed him from Ward
ner that the mill was blown up and Civ.
ing the gravity Of the situation. At s
u. m. the governor said he sent dis
patch to the president calling for fed.
eral aid as the Idaho troops were absent
in the Philippines.
Governor Had Been III.
The governor said he had been i'll
prior to the Occur d'Alene excitement
and being unable to go in person. he
sent representative. Bartlett Sinclair.
to the seat Of disorder. On April 80,
Sinclair telegraphed urging that the
president be asked to rush troops from
the nearest available post. He also tele-
rrnphed that he had thoroughly investi-
oated the need Of martial law; that nine
tenths of the citizens favored martial
la>S. that the local administration OF
the law was farce and amounted t.
mal.administration: that people were
afraid to testify and that masked men
were prowling about the town, terrify'
ing people.
MANY like kilograms. showing the ex
citing developments from day to day
the arming of the citizens. the making
of arrests, etc, were read by the gov
ernor. On this information. the gov
ernor said, and from his own knowledge
of affairs for six years, including re
heated outrnges with apparently no ef
fort to apprehend the guilty parties. hi
unclaimed that state Of insurrectiol
and rebellion existed ut the scene Of dis
turbance.
Had Cautioned Sinclair.
Governor Steunenberg said he eau
toned Sinclair not toalign himself will
either side, employers or employees. Sin
clair had made speeches in New Yorl
for Henry George, SO that the governor
said he regarded him as qualified t
give fair consideration to the labol
, situation.
Representative Lentz objected to thi
noint to the line Of inquiry by Mr.
Chesy, and also questioned the pro
priety Of having private counsel direc
, the investigation.
Chairman Hull replied that the prose
cution had selected MIR Lentz to direc
!, it's side, Mr.. Robinson, All attorney TO
> the miners, had assisted and the defens
was entitled to have counsel. The com