Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-05-18
THE ARMY OFFICERS
TESTIFY IN THE IDAHO, MINING
...@ INVESTIGATION.
Alto Prlsoners' Food and Thought IL
Excellent - Punished Miners VINO
Tried to R-AAd . Tunnel and Es-
cape.

The Military Affairs Committee has
listened to the testimony of three army
officers on the matter of the treatment
Of the Occur d'Alene miners, held as
prisoners in Idaho by the soldiers, and
on the general character of the food
and accommodations. Capt. Edwards
narrated the circumstances Of the de-
tention of Mr.. Heney after the state
authorities had given permission for
his release. He said that tunnel had
been dug by the prisoners, that they
might escape. When it was discovered
investigation was made to determine
who had done it. He suspected that
Mr.. Simpkins had been a leader OF
this movement, accused him, and upon
admission, had him confined in the
county Jail. He ordered Mr.. Heney
and some Of the other prisoners to fill
up this tunnel, and they refused to
work. For this INSTRUMENTATION, the
witness said, he put Mr.. Heney on
bread and water, for the good Of pris-
on discipline, and held him until ne
had performed the work. Some other
prisoners had been punished by his or
ders for violation of prison rules. This
punishment consisted of diet of bread
and water, and being required to
forego the luxury of hay for their beds.
This, however, was not severe because
they had their blankets and quilts to
sleep on. He said there was no de-
NAL of free speech, and added that on
the 4th Of July, a celebration was had
in which the soldiers, as we'll as the
men, participated; speeches were made.
rough riding and other games were in
dulged in. The suppression of the Null
len Mirror, and the order preventing
the commemoration Of July 18th, by
public gathering, originated with the
civil and not the military authorities.
Major Allen Smith Of the LIST Caval-
ry corroborated much Of Capt. Ed
wards testimony, and approved all OF
the measures taken by the latter, such
as the punishment Of prisoners, for the
good Of prison discipline. He told Of
meeting which had been held at
which the question of permitting men
to resume work at the pumps was con-
sidered. The union had ordered the
men to quit the pumps, and as this
would have resulted very speedily in
the flooding and the destruction Of the
mines, the matter was brought to the
attention of the witness and Of Lieut..
Lyons. Ten minutes was given the
union to meet and rescind it's action,
and the union complied, after which
the men returned to work. Had this
action not been taken the mines would
have been damaged to such an extent
that 1t is doubtful if they could ever
have been resumed.
Major Smith said that he had not
arrested any one, but that he had re-
quired a man to be prosecuted for
draping the American flag in black,
and putting it at half mast on the 4th
of July. He said he had received no
complaints of brutal or inhuman treat
ment Of the men, nor had he heard any
complaints of suffering among their
families. AS to the quantity and quail
ity Of the food served he said it was
sufficient and very good.
Lieut.. Heiberg testified as to the
treatment of prisoners and their food
and accommodations. He said that he
had heard Of no attractions Of the rules
by the men, nor of any improper treat
ment OF them by the troops. He said
he Suhsisted for two wooLe ord n boIp
upon the food from the prison kitchen,
and considered it of superior excel
lence. AS to the matter of punishment
inflicted by Capt. Edwards he consid-
cred that 1t was not severe, and that
it was necessary to maintain disci-
pline.