Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-05-26
GENERAL IERRIAM's VIEWS.
Tells OF His Connection With Idaho
Mining Riots.


General Merriam was i'm command
of the federal troops in the Coueur
d'Alene distric of Idaho at the time
of the mining siots, was rigidly exam
ined and cross examined by the COM
mittee ON military affairs of the house
Of representatives. He defined his at
titude towards miners unions and la
or organizations of all descriptions
very clearly. lie said that he believed
these organizations of labor were for
a good purpose; he thought that their
purposes were as good as those OF all
secret societies, or as churches. his
opinion of the miners unions IN Sho-
shone county was that they were IN
fluenced to laylessness by bad leader
ship. He held these unions were re-
sponsible, rs organizations, Tor the
lawlessness in the Couer dAlene dls-
trict, which eliminated in the blow
ing up of the Bunker Hill and Sulli-
van mine because, as the evidence IN
the Paul Co-coran case showed, tne
miners first met in their union hali
and then proceeded TO cary out their
work of destruction.
General Merriam gave his opinion
that the insurrection is now well sup
pressed. He explained it was sup
pressed the moment the troops ap-
peared at Wardner, because the lead
ers kept out OF sight, although he con-
sidered il was as tangible the day he
left the equity as il was on the day
he entercdfit: He thought conditions
had improved, however, SO that John
Kneebone--who was considered a spy
were he alive, might be caught talk
ing Nth the mine owners, or giving
testimony in court, without being
murdered. As to the responsibility for
the action of the troops, General Mcr-
riam said that, martial law having
been declared by the governor Cf
Idaho, he acted I'm Ter the authority
so given, and the higher officials tool;
the responsibility.
At the conclusion Of General Mer-
RAMS testimony, Captain Frank \.
Edwards, of the First cavalry, who
was in comamnd of the troops until
the 1st Of last December was
examined as to the discipline
and the condition of the prison.
lie narrated what recommendations
he had made on taking com
mand, for the improvement of sani-
tary conditions. He said that the sick
rate was reduced very considerably,
and that only one man died during
that period. lie testified that the pris-
oners were treated humancly, and
were given wholesome food in suffi-
cient quantities, and that everything
possible was done for their health and
-a-.F-.a al. Al, Ai,.ntr N, 80 fnnnG
Captain Edwards narrated how sew
en- of the Occur d'Alene miners under
indictment for murder, through the
treachcry of the sergeant Of the
guard, escaped from prison. The
court was about to convene II try
some Of these men accused o. murder
and seven Of them bribed the sergeant
to give them their liberty. lie passed
them out of the prison, telling the
guards that they were to be taken TO
the hospital. AS the suspicion of the
guards was excited, the corporal was
called, who ordered that the captain
be Immediately notified. 1t was then
discovered that the men had made
good their escape and that the SER
geant had deserted his post. The SER
genat was captured next day, court
martialed and sentenced to thirteen
years in a military prison. lie admit
ted having received $3.50 for freeing
these men, but said he had been prom
iscd So ESQ. None of these alleged
murderers were ever captured.
Captain Edwards stated that the ties,
timoncy that Mr.. lieney, or any other
miner, had been reused from his bunk
in the prison, by being pricked with a
bayonet, was very absurd, because at
the time he was in command the sol
diers doing guard duty consisted OF
cavalry, armed with carbines without
bayonets. Replying to the questions
as to what unnecessary restrictions
had been put upon the miners, he said
there were none. He ~endeavorcd to
carry out all Of the wishes OF the
men, and frequently favored them
with paroles that they might go home
or to the neighboring town and at
tend to matters of business. In one
instance, he said, a prisoner broke,h ms
parole and never returned.
The witness testified that all re-
quests for a priest or minister were
granted and that the clergymen were
free to visit the prison and hospital,
and to hold service there if it was de-
sired. On one occasion Father Becker
tclephoned him inquiring if the pris,
oners wished him to conduct services,
lie communicated with them and they
said il was not necessary. On another
occasion a woman presented herself
at his tent saying that she had been
informed that her son was dying, II
not already dead, Of inhuman treat,
ment. The son was promptly sum
moncd, and the mother. upon seeing
him, exclaimed that he was looking
better than when he was first impris'
oned.