The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-18

Strong testimony was given in the Occur
d'Alene enquiry yesterday TO show that
men who could have had no connection
with the destruction of the mill of the
Bunker Hill mine were taken into Gus
tOdy by the military authorities and cast
into the bull pen to languish without trial
The man who gave this testimony was
Allen f. Gill master mechanic Of the Tiger
and Poor Man Mining Company, at Burke.
Idaho.
He had held various positions of trust
and importance with other companies and
was not member Of any labor organiza-
lion. As master mechanic of the mine il
was his duty to employ. direct. and. when
occasion required to discharge employees
in the mechanical department Of the mine.
He was at Burke. engaged in the perform
snee Of his duties, when the Bunker Hill
mill was blown up, on April %, 1899.
On that day the town had been normally
quiet His men were at work. Those at
the surface were members Of the Western
Federation of Labor and those under
ground were members of the Miners
Union. They continued at work until the
arrival Of the colored troops. when many
Of them and himself were placed under
arrest.
Mr. Lentz Intercepted the witness He
asked:
Where were you on April 30?''
Il was at the mine. All my men were
at work at the mine on that day with the
exception of four. Everything was per-
fectly quiet and peaceable."
Did you see any evidences of insurrec-
tion?"
No. sir; the town was quiet"
Were the men al your mine at work."
They remained at work three or four
days until a number of them were arrest
ed. When the troops came l went to the
commanding officer Major Morton and ex-
planned to him that the manager of the |
mine being absent ! was in charge, and l
would have 10 have passes for the men TO
come and go"
Il do not know anything about you
and will place you under arrest said Nor
tom The witness said Morton declared |
This is martial law" He was not allow |
ed TO send a telegram to the manager or |
president of the mining company. He |
heard Morton order soldiers TO break into
private dwellings and search them. 1T |
was about in front Of my house." said the /
witness, That ] was arrested. | heard
Morton command a soldier TO break into
my house. The soldier tried the door and
finding il locked broke it in. The house
was searched"
Was there any disturbance in Burke
until the arrival of the soldiers
No, sir.
Was there any opposition TO the civil
"Nc, sir
so far as you observed, was there any
need for the troops?"
You want my opinion?,'
Yes. sir"
Justice was defeated by troops. The
guilty men, who feared arrest escaped
from Burke over a pass into Montana.
The men who were innocent and did not
fear arrest. remained until the troops ar
rived and were placed under arrest"
The witness told OF a trip which he made
70 Wardner to seek the release of men
from the pull pen, that he might keep his ,
mine In operation; men in whose behalf he
had made affidavits 10 the effect that they 4
we're attending to the regular duties at
he time of the blowing up of the Bunker |
ail property.
; When you were al wariner TO see Sin
;lair did you go 10 the bull pen?" I
Yes; ] stood on the outside and saw q
srge crowd Of men-I thought very
Ireat number Of men to be confined in so
mall a building Many of the men mad
heir gum clothes on They were black and .
iirty and miserable looking
What Is the difference in the tempera
ure OF the mine and the surface
In parts OF the mine il is 105 degrees
md in all parts Of the mine il is too warm I
or comfort. At thu surface il Is chilly
Il is the practice OF the miners when they
Ire through with their work in the mine
o change their clothing for heavier When
ne men were arrested they had on their I
working clothes which we're wet, and OF 4
curse. thin
The committee at noon adjourned TO re-
onvene al 10 O'Clock Monday morning
Heurelis Book Beer is conducive TO good I
h.,