Semi-weekly herald., 1907-11-07


horseback, but he s.ely refused
to make any kind of a statement OF
what they found upon coming to the
surface. or what they We're doing or
how long they had been there. Mr.
Chapson was seen later and he too
refused to talk about the tragedy or
the conditions under which Mr. Walk
er and the rest of the party were on
the premises. In this connection there
are all sorts of stories and rumors
atloat, but none can be traced to a
head and The Herald only feels in
clined TO give official statesments out
side OF the general outline The Her
aid has no theory to advance but is
desirous of giving versions OF both
sides and will do so as soon rs made
In speaking OF the matter this morn,
cannot understand what the govern
ment officials were doing on the
grounds making a secret investiga
ton. II is a positive fact hat no
7sNNf hhi' blHNltil mas tNfl bttu ut+
MED admittance The mine ruperin-
tendants have been instructed to per
NIT the fullest access to the workings
and men have been provided to ac
company them when desired. There
was no reason why secret investi.
cation was necessary as the men we're
1t liberty to every opening and work
ings OF the property. This rule has
been followed at the different mines"
William Mason is brother of
Thomas Mason, deceased, one Of the
original locators OF the Porter coal
mine. He is about 30 years old, coming
20 this southwest section % years ago.
Deing a resident OF La Plata county Is
years and mine superintendent of the
Hesperus property the past lG years
The Hesperus mine belonging to the
Porter group now owned and oper
lted by the Union Pacific Coal com
,any of Omaha. Mr. Mason is a mar
led man with an adopted daughter
married. He has always stood high in
this community and his word never
doubted in business dealings or any
other way
Mr.. Vanderweide mas been re-
lent OF the county for nine yea S
working in the local smelter abcul
our years. than Il year for the Boston
. ct
It the Hesperus mine where he is dig
sing coal by the day. He is about a.
years of age. His wife runs the mine
boarding house at Hesperus They
1aye one child, aged about five. So
iar as known Mr. Vanderweide has
never been in any kind of troIble be
fore.
Mr.. Walker was probably between
10 and 80 years OF age. He first came
,c Durango last winter. taking charge
VI the government force in La Plata
md Archuleta counties investigating
Illeged timber, land and coal frauds
Il was Mr.. Walker who prepared and
presented the evidence before he fed
eral grand jury in Denver last May
and June which resulted in the indict
ment of dozen or so men in This sec
lion charged with various offenses in
connection with unlawf'l possession
Df government lands Mr Walker re.
turned to Durango about a month ago
and has been engaged, assisted by
number of other officials, in collecting
evidence TO present at the trial OF
the indicted men Mr.. Walker stood
high in the government counsel ana
regarded as man of excellent cnar-
acter and standing. He was sober
and an industrious worker, thoroughly
lmbued with the work entrusted tc
him. He leaves wife and one child
residing in Denver, Mrs. Walker hav-
ing visited Durango last spring, meet
ing quite a number of our people.
The tragedy cast a gloom over t e
people of Durango and The Herald re
porter has only heard one thihg-unl'
yersal regret Mr.. Mason in speaking
of the matter this morning said: 30
person can regret the killing more
than do. am sorry from the bottom
of my heart and only wish it could
be undone."
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