The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1903-02-14

Friday afternoon at p. m. in open court
by II. A. Comins, foreman of the Grand
Jury, which had been in session for seven
consecutive days, making most
thorough and painstaking investigation
of the recent trsdgedy at the Keystone,
in which three men we're killed and two
wounded on the 7th OF last month.
The Jury was one OF the best that
could possibly have been gotten in the
county. being composed of seventeen OF
our best citizens. who represented every
branch OF the mining and agricultural in
dustries Of the county.
They were embled together for the
purpose Of determining if crime had
been committed, and il SO, to find the
perpetrator, or perpetrators; accordingly
some thirty Witnesses were examined,
the majority OF whom were union men,
With but one exception, these witnesses,
in trying to evsde the law of justice,
bound more firmly around their leader
the chain oil guilt. In short, their evl-
dence proved conclusively that a crime
had been premeditated; that every man
who went TO the keystone on the morn
ing OF the 9TH knew the purpose for which
he was there. and that he was acting un-
der instruction from the president of the
Union that they had gone there for the
purpose Of taking Mr., Traylor out of the
camp. pesceably or forcibly, and perhaps
meant him bodily harm; that the men
had taken q hold OF Trsylor and we're
trying to force him from the office, when
he released his left hand and began
shooting to free himself. Mr.. Gaskill
never fred shot, but instead he used
his fists to ward off the enemies.
With such unalterable evidence before
them, the jury could not conscientiouslv do
otherwise than render a verdict of acquit-
tai for Messrs. Traylor and Gaskil. From
the bulk OF evidence it was too apparent
that Mr.. Lloyd, as the president OF the
Union, was responsible for the actions OF
his fellowmen and guilty of the crimes
committed. Two indictments were
brought against him, one for attempting
to kidnap and the other for false impris
onment.
This deplorable affair has dealt q
serious blow to organized labor through
out the country. But it has taught the
inexperienced not to act too hastily or
without first considering the facts in the
case. Then to submit those facts to q
higher authority, in whom is vested the
power Of declaring strikes and conducting
them along conservative and legitimate
lines. That the actions OF Mr.. Lloyd, in
this affair. are not approved by labor
leaders. was rather forcibly impressed
upon the members of this Union at their
meeting last week. Both William
Mouyer, president of the Western Feder-
alton, and Thomas Murphy, an attorney
from Denver, spoke in terms upbraiding
every man that had anything to do with
the keystone tragedy. Cautioned them
about acting in the future without
authority, and commended those who
tried to prevent the trouble. The gentle
men left the next morning, when the re-
port Of the Jury was to be delivered.
without waiting for it.
i Notwithstanding the protestations OF
some radical union men. the verdict, We
hal;ava wili maat with the universal ap-
proval OF the better class of people
throughout the country. VIII show to
the world at large that 30 long as the
better citizens OF Nevada can control
conditions within her borders, no lawless
men can jeopardise the lives Of her resi-
dents nor drive from her the prosperity
and capital for which she 80 eagerly
seeks.