The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-04
HIS LIFE THREATENED
TESTIMONY OF THE MANAGER OF
THE BUNKER HILL NINE.
Mr.. Burbridge Says He Was Several
Times Warned AN Attempt Would
he Made tn XIII Him.

WASHINGTON. April s.-Frederick Bur-
bridge, manager of the Bunker Hill and
Sullivan mines. was the chief witness in
the Occur d'AIene investigation to-day. 1t
was the mill of this company that was
blown up in the uprising last April Mr..
Burbridge took charge OF the mine in 1893.
At that time the miners and laborers were
paid s. a day, as against $780, the union
scale. There were continual threats to
"clean OUT the Bunker Hill mine. but the
troops brought there during the Coxey
army excitement had a calming effect.
After being closed for a time the Bunker
Hill was started up as a strictly nonunion
mine The union men had control, how
ever, of the approaches TO the Occur
d'Alene. and, with arms. frightened away
nonunion men and "scabs.' The mine sue
ceeded, however, in manning its plant In
1896, he said, dynamite was used against
the mine. and fire did some damage To the
mill. The mine was injured. Threats con-
tinued, he said, up to the time OF the cul-
mination of the agitation last April. The
miners union, at Wardner. met on Sunday,
April %, a week before the explosion, and
sent a delegation TO him (Burbridge) 10
demand $3.50 day all around. After fruit
less conferences a strike was ordered. The
Bunker Hill employees 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 tram
way of the mine and held II for time.
Mr.. Burbridge said he received frequent
warnings that he would be killed and the
mine blown up
names of those giving the warnings.
Mr. Burbridge declined to give the names.
saving il would imperil the lives Of those
who gave the warnings. The Idaho courts
had upheld him. he said. In this refusal to
divulge names.
Mr.. Sulzer protested but the committee,
on a vote, permitted the witness 20 pro-
coed without disclosing names Mr.. Bur-
bridge told of the warning messages re-
ceived by him. of the arming of eight hum
dred men, the putting on of masks and the
details of the march on the mill.
where are the messages?" asked Mr..
Sulzer.
"BIown up with the MILL" replied the
witness.
Mr.. Burbridge said he took such precau-
tions as were possible for the protection OF
the mill, and. believing that he would be
an object of special attack. he left the mill
and did not see the explosion. The witness
said the pres snce of the military was es-
sential TO the maintenance or peace; the
only objections TO the military came from
those who wished to break the law.
Mr.. Crosthwaite, 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 IL was
learned they belonged 10 union The Wit
ness said there was such confiirt between
the union and nonunion men that the COM
pany took its side with the nonunion men.
declining TO employ members OF the union.
Representative Stevens, Of Minnesota.
asked IL this was not violation OF law OF
Idaho. which provides that there shall be
no discrimination against members OF an
stated only the policy and facts In the
case. not the law. He conceded that the
unemployment of union men might have
embittered them.