Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-07-02
The ELY RIOT.
QueIleo by the Vermont Militia July
7, 1893.


QueIlso by the Vermont Militia July
7, 1893.
Twenty-Five years ago this month the
Vermont militia was called out to quell .
riot at Ely mines and within 20 hours of
the call to arms five companies OF the Ma
tional Guard in various sections of the
state had mustered nearly 40 men each on
two or three hours notice, rode over 100
miles by rail and eight by team, then
marched two miles to occupy the village
of Ely. There the turbulent miners, an
CRY at not receiving their long overdue
pay, and further Infatuated by hunger,
| had held sway for q week and were
1 Threatening ominously.
Under date of July 8, E. P. johnson of
Ely wrote to County Clerk l. 9. Hinck-
| ley at Chelsea the following letter, which
gives more than q hint of the serious con-
dition of things:-"We are in q bad box
here and expect to leave the house on
short notice; for the miners swear they
will burn the village. Can l have your
fathers house at Post Mills for my fam
lily? Do not neglect to answer by bearer,
for we are in terrible state and our only
salvation is that the company will have
the funds to pay off Immediately"
i
county at the time and went to Burling-
ton with Hon. S. B. Hebard of Chelsea,
states attorney, to lay the true state OF
affairs before Governor Barstow and to
confer with him in regard to calling out
the militia. The 9th Of July, Mr.. Hebard
sent Mr.. Parish a telegram SAYING
l"Help will leave on special train at this
evening Governor says $4,000 must be
paid. He is going and will be there at
daylight
Mr. Parish drove that night from RAN
dolph Center to Ely after 9 o'clock-a
distance of 35 miles, and joined the relief.
The special train carried the Barlow
Grays of st. Adams, 80 men; the Kings
ley Guards of Rutland, with Governor
Proctor among its 3S men; the Capital
Guards Of Montpelier, 40 men, and the
New England Guards OF Northfield. 40
men. Governor Barstow, Colonies
Woodbury., Gilmore and Fletcher, Adj
General Ide, Col. w. L. Greenleaf, Adj.
! Mark D. Green, Quartermaster William
Smith and Surgeon Peck accompanied the
troops. The battalion was commanded
by Col. Greenleaf. A despatch from YER
! shire to the Associated Press, July Z, 1888,
tells this story of the bloodless battle:-
"The troops arrived at Ely station at
! 80 in the morning and were drawn up
! in line with 20 rounds OF ammunition is
sued to each man. Colonel Greenleaf sd-
dressed the militia, complImenting their
full ranks and their promptness in re-
spending to the call to arms. He spoke
! OF the probable demands to protect life
J and property that would be made upon
them and said he believed they would
: show courage and fortitude in any emer-
| gency that might arise. The men were
! IL s~-k he.
CONS and, with their tent equipage and
> rations in the rear, the military train
3 took up the line of march for Ely mines.
: "For three hours the numbering vehicles
8 slowly assembled the mountain road, and
, at sunrise the bleak hilltop of Ely mine
J doomed up. When within two miles OF
: Ely village the troops alighted and
marched in platoons up toward the
] mines. Meanwhile the Bradford COM
: pany, Capt. John H. Watson, which had
i also been called out, had been brought TO
0 West FairIee in teams. At break OF day
: this command was detailed to make an
: Independent strategic movement for the
purpose of capturing the powder maya
zine near the mines, containing 140 kegs
of blasting powder.
"Under Capt. Watson, the Bradford
e Guard, by forced march, skirted the
4 crown of the hill on the other side from
e the mine and village, and by commenda-
! BILE alacrity descended. the side hill and
I took possession of the magazine, and cap
+ tured four armed strikers who were on
: guard, without alarming the village.
8 Meanwhile the main body OF troops
marched through West Fairlee village for
e the mines. Acknowledgement Peck led
a the column, Col. Greenleaf following in
4 direct command. The Rutland company
t had the right OF the column, the North
e field company following and the Mont
(; pelier and st. Adams coming next, es.
q corting Gov. Barstow and Quartermastel
4 General Ide.
t cup the heights to Ely village marched
t the column, their firm step and bristling
4 steel presenting a fine scene. The miners
!, homes appeared deserted, but as the
tramp Of armed men resounded along the
: highway, window blinds were opened
: and curtains raised, disclosing the miners
b reused from their slumbers. The col
+ umn was preceded by High Sheriff Luke
y Parish and Deputies Scion K. Berry, L
: p. Barren, ]. @. A. Bass and w. G.
n Clarke These officers had warrants in
n their hands for the arrest of fifteen lead
ing spirits in the strike. By prompt
), and skilIful movements, the sherin anc
his posse OF officers entered the houses o.
II the miners, arrested such as they hac
J; warrants against, and applying handcun
put them under military guard. In thi
le way twelve of the ringleaders in tn
l. strike were secured, and the object Of tn
n expedition attained.
"The whole affair was complete sur
prise to the miners, and the sudden ap
re pearance in their midst of 200 blue-coatet
n troops rendered the turbulent populac
1t submissive to the representatives OF Law
ID and order. Many miners welcomed tn
8, militia and mingled with them.
rs "Your correspondent entered the vii
t. lage little distance ahead OF the mai
r. column and witnessed the astonishmen
in of the miners as they caught glimps
as OF the advancing soldiery. Nearly ever
miner expressed himself as much SUI
<, prised at the presence OF the troops. Will
s. some were angered and muttered ominou
e, threats over the visitation OF the militis
It soon became evident that had warnin