The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-04
THE COEUR D ALENE INQUIRY.
NINE SUPERINTENDENT DESCRIBES
THE REIGN OF TERROR.
Received Frequent Warnings of
Plots to Murder Him and Blow
Up the Property I'm His Charge
His EmpIoye. Were Threatened.

WASHINGTON, April 3.-Frederick
Burbridge, manager of the Bunker Hin
and Sullivan mine, was the chief Wit
ness at the Occur dAlene investigation
today. II was the mill of this company
which was blown up in the uprising last
April Brig. Gen Carlin was to have
continued his testimony on the insurrec-
ton of 1892 but his official report of
that occurrence was accepted suffi-
Client, and he then gave way to Bur-
bridge. Mr.. Burbridge took charge OF
the mine in 1893. AT that time the miners
and laborers were paid 50 day, against
$3.50. the union scale
Many Threats Made.
There were continued threats to clean
OUT the Bunker Hill mine, but the troops
brought there during the Coxey excite
ment had calming effect. After be-
ing closed for time the Bunker Hill
was started up as strictly nonunion
mine. The union men had control. how
ever of the approaches to the Occur
d'Alenes, and with arms frightened away
nonunion men and 'scabs." The mine sue
ceeded. however. in manning its plant
First Dynamite Outrage.
In 1896, he said, dynamite was used
against the mine, and did some damage
to the mill. The mine was injured
Threats continued. he said. up to the time
of the elimination of the agitation last
April. The miners union al Wardner met
on Sunday. April %. week before the
explosion, and sent a delegation to him
tBurbridge) TO demand $3.50 a day all
around After fruitless conferences a
strike was ordered. The Bunker Hill en-
ployes were stopped on the road by an
armed mob. revolvers were flourished, and
the workmen were chased through the
streets. Later in the day an armed mob
took possession of the tramway of the
mine and held 1t for time.
Was Frequently Warned.
Mr.. Burbridge said he received frequent
warnings that he would be Killed and the
mine blown up.
Representative Sulzer asked for the
names OF those giving the warning.
Mr.. Bureridge declined to give the names
saying 1t would lmperil the lives of those
who gave the warnings. The Idaho courts
had upheld him, he said in this refusal TO
divulge names.
Sulzer protested, but the committee. IN
vote. permitted the witness to proceed
without disclosing names.
when the Mil Was Blown Up.
Burbridge told of the warning messages
received by him OF the srming OF 500 men,
the putting on of masks and the details OF
the march on the mill
Where are these messages?" asked Mr..
Sulzer.
Blown UP with the mill" replied the
witness.
Mr.. Burbridge said he took such precau-
ttons as were possible for the protection
OF the mill and then believing that he was
an object of special attack. he left the mil,
and did not see the explosion.
Law-Breakers the Only Directors.
The witness said the presence uf The
military was essential to maintenance of
peace: the only objections to the military
came from those who wished to break the
law.
Mr., Coastwaite Of counsel for the state
OF Idaho. directed the examination and
was followed by Attorney Robertson In
cross examination. This brought out that
the company discharged men when It was
learned they belonged to a union
The witness said there was such con-
flict between union and nonunion men that
the company took side with the nonunion
men. declining to employ members of he
union.
Representative Stevens OF Minnesota
asked II this was not a violation of the
law OF Idaho which provides that there
shall be ne discriminate ton against members
of an organization. The witness said he
stated only the policy and facts I'm the
case not the law. Ho conceded that tho
unemployment of union men might have
embittered them