The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-10
Portland Mine Has Steadily EN-
p|oyed 500 Union Men
SAYS IT ENCOURAGES CRIME
Military Commander In Teller County
Issues Proclamation to People OF
State Saying That Law
lessnese Must Cease.

Victor, Colo June 9-In bloodless as
sault made by $50 militiamen and depu-
ties led by Adjutant General sherman
III. Bell on the Portland mine today, the
mine was indefinitely closed, to be re-
opened later on terms which will prevent
any wo. King man securing work WIN
out presenting satisfactory working cards
from the Mine Owners association. sfsn-
efal Bell says the mine was closed be-
carse of military necessity as the men
working ir it were contributing to the
support of the strikers, and thereby
continuing the present conditions in the
district His proclamation also states that
dangerous men in the mine should be
held What promised to be the bloodiest
engagement the district has ever seen,
passed away as mildly as summer
shower.
Without the firing of shot or a harsh
word, the general and his force march,
ed up to the mine, took possession, read
the proclamation concerning the present
disposition of the mine, and then left sthe
employees of the Portland company in
charge of the plant. Following the clos
Ing of the Portland, 1t was announced
that the mines will begin to reopen to-
morrow, the non-union mines first and
others later, and that business is to be
resumed in the district at once. All miners
who want work must first secure a work.
ing card from the Mine Owners associa-
ton.
Spread Like Wildfire.
News of the intended assault upon the
Portland and the closing down of the
mine, spread like wildfire through the
town and the hills and bluffs about the
station were black with swarming hu-
manity as train loads of soldiers with
rifles from every window steamed away.
Just as the train rounded the Hill and
stopped for the soldiers to make the as
cent to the mine a United States flag
was hoisted from one of the mine houses.
The deputies sprang up the zig-zag steps,
scattered as they approached the mine,
and General Bell and staff went straight
to the general Offices where the general
read the proclamation. Superintendent
Jurie of the mine lstended to the read
ing and then said:
DO you want us to close right away?"
If 1t will inconvenience you, certainly
not" replied General Bell.
Very well then, let us wait until the
shift comes off at half past A." replied
the superintendent, adding:
Do you want any of the men?'
Il do not" said the general
Then 1t was arranged that "a employees
of the company would be left on the
property and keep necessary parts run
ming, and General Bell assured the super
intendent that he would furnish all the
guards necessary to protect the mine
Violence and Crime Prevail.
The order, after calling attention to the
governors proclamation of martial law
and declaring that violence and crime
prevailed in the county fostered by mob
rule, continues:
Whereas, The Portland mine, situ-
ated in said county, is and for a long
time, has been engaged in employing and
harboring large numbers OF dangerous,
lawless men, who have aided, encouraged
and given comfort and assistance to those
who have been so guilty of said crimes
and outrages, so thai said mine has be-
rome and now is a menace to the welfare
and safety Of the good people of said
county. and a hindrance to the restora-
tion of peace and good order.
Now. therefore. by virtue of the power
conferred upon me as commander of the
military forces In said county, and as
military necessity, 1t is ordered that
said mine be at once closed, and all per-
sons found there or thereabouts who are
dangerous to the community be arrested
Ind held until further orders
.'SHERMAN BELL"
Employed Union Men.
The Portland is the only large mine in
the district that has continued in opera
lion since the explosion at Independence
IN Monday, which killed or MANNED more
than twenty non-union miners. The
Portland Gold Mining company, through
Its president and manager, James f.
W mot ,tor off fba rf
pie Creek District Mine Owners associa-
tion, conceded the demands of the union
men when the strike was inaugurated last
August, and has steadily given employ
ment to about 800 men.
General Bell also issued the following
proclamation, of which over 5000 copies
were posted;
Victor. Colo, June g. 1904
ITO the People of the State of Colorado:
ut having been made to appear to the
commander of the military forces in the
district that certain depredatons have
been committed that property has been
wantonly destroyed, and the laws of the
state violated, notice is therefore given
that all violaters of the law in the way of
Injury or destruction of property, and all
acts of violence of any and every sort
must henceforth cease.
"And all persons who shall violate any
of the provisions of this order or shall
he guilty of any infraction of the law.
will be arrested and speedily dealt with
and punished for such offense. All good
citizens are urgeo to at once resume
their usual and lawful occupations. and
oil miners and other employees are re-
ouested TO Immediately return to their
respective occupations with the full as
surance that life and property will be
henceforth fully protected in every part
of the district now under military con-
trnl The military orders and the will
of the military commander will be obey
"a SHERMAN BELL
The commission appointed by General
Bell to inquire into the records or the
miners under arrest, reported to him
list Of ninety-seven union miners with
the recommendation that they be de-
ported General Bell accepted their re-
mort and announced that the men will be
sent out OF Teller county as soon a
snec,al train crew could be arranged for.
May Be Up to Uncle Sam.