Semi-weekly herald., 1908-04-30

put In about four years. his wife join
ing him after going to Pennsylvania
came to Silverton from Pennsylvania
where remained few days. then went
to Coal Creek In Fremont county,
where worked In coal mines two
years. then returned 20 Silverton and
went to work on the Aspen mine. OF
which his brother Thomas Mason was
superintendent Then went to Por-
ter In June, 1889. where worked until
last OF January. 1892. when he went
TO Hesperus TO work on the He's
perus mine, which was just being
opened up. and been there as mine
superintendent and foreman since.
Witness said his residence was 100
feet from that Of vanderweide and he
had known vanderweide 4 to s years;
last few years vanderweide been EN-.
ployed In the Hesperus mine on what
WAS considered hardest work In a
coal mine. Witness said day before
shooting George w. Shields told him
there was some heavy blasting going
on over in the canon, but did not
know section. Then described the
country, stating Porter Fuel company
owned strip 3 miles long by to 8
wide. 1t was about 1870 in the after
noon when Shields told him about
the blasts Met vanderweide at 6
or after and asked him If he would
accompany me over the hills on Sun
day. Vanderweide said he did not
care about going. but II would get
him horse he would do SO. consent
tor. Witness told about game--chick-
ems. rabbits. coyotes, deer, ETC.; that
he had been deputy game warden for
four years; said had to keep close
watch on Italians to keep them from
killing game out OF season and had
some trouble doing this. Next morn
ing about called at Vanderweide's
house and asked II he was ready.
Told him had secured horse. He
went and got 1t. On return v.
said he would take his shotgun.
replied, What do you want of gum"
Vanderweide said he would take 1t
along. Witness said he owns two
revo1vers and shotgun but was not
armed the Sunday In question. II
ness and vanderweide to go out to-
gether. Witness then described the
route taken by himself and Wander
weide. being the same as related by
Vanderweide yesterday. He told
about looking around for blasting; tild
Vanderweide what he had heard the
day before; on way over the divide
to the gulch in which the shaft is
located while in the lead he saw
coyote and called out: There goes
coyote" Vanderweide came up and
loaded his gun with buckshot and
hunted around in the brush but could
not find the coyote. Gave up the
hunt. and on reaching the top OF the
hill witness observed man at the
did too. Going down steep hill wit
ness got of horse and walked down
thing. Reaching a certain point wit
ness said he observed a rope with two
ends tied around plank over the
shaft. Vanderweide also saw It;
kept going down the hill and finally
asked yanderweide to come and hold
his horse, as he was going to the
dump to see what was up. The hill
was steep and he was on the run, and
as he started to cross the gulch at
the dump witness said Walker got
up and. pulling gun from left side,
ordered him to stop: witness said he
was going 80 fast he could not, and
tnen Walker called upon him to stop
a second time and then fired; witness
said he was standing sidewise to
Walker when he fired and Walker
was facing him direct; knew Walker
fired at him because he heard bullet
whistle by. 1t was right after Walker
fired that yanderweide fired. Was
excited and could not tell how many
times Vanderweide fred. Witness
then said he went on dump, united the
rope and let 1t fall to the bottom of
the shaft. believing there we're peo-
pie In the mine. and by dropping the
rope they would have to go out
through the main entry and then he
could ascertain who the parties we're:
did not touch Walkers body; did not
know the man at the time; did not
think had ever seen him. After this
witness returned to where his horse
was ssd said to Vanderweide: Joe,
you saved my life." Then continued
to Hesperus as related by Wander
weide. Upon reaching Hesperus wit
ness went into the Porter Fuel Co. 8
office and teIephoned Mr.. Clifford In
Durango what had occurred and to
notify the coroner and sheriff. Then
Struthnrs and telling him to go to the
mouth Of the mine and keep guard
and II parties came out to find out
who they were and keep them until
the sheriff arrived. Asked him II he
hod nnr, ff,r rStntocffon INonutoon and