Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-10-29
"A Big BATTLE AT BERWIND
DEPUTIES RESIST ATTACK BY
STRIKERS UPON THE EN-
PIRE AT AeUILAR
TROOPS ARRIVE ON SCENE
THEY EXPECT TO DlsARM ALL
BELLleERENTs WITHIN
A FEW DAYS

Trinidad, oct. 29.-The destruction
of the tipple and offices OF the South
western mine near Aguilar by fire and
an attack by strikers upon the En-
pire mine and the camps Of Berwind
and Tabasco is the record of damage
due to the coal strike reported this
morning.
Arms and ammunition have disap-
peared from the tent colony at Lud-
low and hundreds of the strikers have
scattered to neighboring tent colonies
on the arrival of the militia at Trim
idad and Walsenburg. Adjutant Cen
eral John Chase this morning stated
that "a hours will be given the strik-
ers and guards in which to lay down
their arms.
Strikers Are Blamed
Officials of the Southwestern Fuel
company express Jne belief that the
property was fired by strikers. The
main office was also used as a post
office The fire followed a clash be-
tween strikers and guards in which
the guards were driven away from
the mine, according to the officials Of
the company At The Empire mine
the power house was struck by a hail
Of bullets, but no one was wounded
No serious damage was done at Ta-
baseo and Berwind The attacks are
declared to have been made by stril1-
ers on their way from Ludlow to
Aguilar
Aljutant General John Chase, who
had arrived in Trinidad but two hours
previously, was not informed by Sher-
iff Grisham Of the fight at Tabasco,
but at the same time report. was re-
ceived that the skirmish was over
and no move was made by the militia.
The utmost secrecy attended the ar
rival Of the soldiers trains in the
strike zone. On the train bearing
General Chase and staff ALL lights
were extinguished, windows thrown
open and every man was equipped
with 20 rounds Of ammunition, when
Barnes station was passed. The ac-
ton was taken because of reports
received by General Chase early last
night that armed bodies Of strikers
were entrenched along the tracks at
that point. The precautions were
frustrated by the operator of the
searchlight at Hastings, who turned
the rays upon the train as soon as it
hove in sight and kept them there
until it disappeared.
Conditions in the strike zone main
tanned normal status today with
mine guards and strikers awaiting
possible developments when the Col
orado National Guard actually takes
charge Of the situation.
The first troop train arrived short
lily after midnight. Other trains hear
ing approximately 500 men arrived
here just before daylight, or we're
nearing this city. The troops detrain-
ed shortly after o'clock, and, under
direction Of Adjutanr General John
Chase of Denver and Colonel W. A.
Davis OF Colorado Springs, pitched
camp at san Rafael heights Organi-
cation was perfected, and it was ex-
pected that later today the troops
would begin their invasion Of the min
ing camps.
Martial law viii not be enforced
in Trinidad, but will be established
in the mining camps surrounding this
city.
Crowds Of strikers waited through
out the night in the railroad yards
for the arrival Of troop trains. N
demonstration was made when ths
men detrained. Reports from th'
mining centers were that no clasl
had occurred since yesterday morn
Ing.
Robbed the pcstOffIce
The small Upisod States pee
office at she southwestern mine wa