The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1914-05-09
s. DIE IN Mine WAR.
U. 8. TROOPS REACH SCENE OF
CONFLICT IN COLORADO
FAIL TO END STRIFE.
FIERCE CLASH AT FORBES
Major In Hospital Corps Shot to Death
While Dressing Wounds Of Comrade
Near Firing Llnes-Truce is De-
clared-65o Give Up Arms.

dead in the Forbes camp Of the Rocky
Mountain Fuel company, an officer of
the hospital crops killed at Walsen-
burg ard the blackened ruins OF mines
dottin9 the hills OF Las Animas and
Huerfano counties, the first detach-
ment of United States troops to arrive
In the strike zone on Wednesday failed
to bring peace in Colorados mine war
More federal troops reached the
scene on Thursday.
At Forbes seven mine guards and
one striker are known to have been
killed. Two other strikers are be-
lieved dead III.
One officer and two enlisted men
were wounded in the conflict at Wal
senburg. 1t was here that Maj. p. p.
Lester met his. death.
Under truce agreement which
stopped the fighting at Walsenburg in
the afternoon. approximately $50 strik-
ers at night are surrendering arms to
National Guard officers appointed by
Colonel Verdeckberg. The strikers
were not taken into custody. but will
be subject to prosecution in the courts
for killing Maj. p, P. Lester of the
hospital corps.
The announcement of the truce by
General Chase furnished an explana-
tion Of the withdrawal of the National
Guard from the battlefield north and
west OF Walsenburg In the afternoon
when apparently the troops had the
strikers hard pressed. From another
authentic source 1t was learned that
John McGregor, in command of the
strikers, had made II known that he
was hard pressed, but that his men
refused to retire from the field. even
though their losses were considerable.
The suggested terms of surrender
were transmitted to General Chase
and sanction for their acceptance
given by Governor Ammons.
Although strike leaders declined to
give out any information as to their
losses. 1t was learned from an anthem
tic source they had suffered severely.
At the time negotiations for the truce
were opened they we're fighting back
the National Guard on three sides.
While Colonsl Verdeckberg awaited
a committee from the strikers to COM
plete arrangements for the truce,
brisk fighting continued at a point
about three miles southwest of Val
senburg. where 80 men and three off,
GERS of Company M. Captain Barrett.
were surrounded at Martins Lake
The soldiers had been surrounded for
several hours, fighting for their lives.
They he'd left the military position in
an effort to turn the flank Of the
strikers who were firing from the hog
back toward the Walsen mines. They
were trapped. however, and exposed
to a CALLING fire from two directions.
from the southwest end OF the hog
back End from another hill on the OPP
posite side of Martins Lake.
Early in the evening troop of cav
airy under Captain Lightburn and
Company M, First infantry, sailed out
from Walsenburg to go to the relief
Of tire entrapped guardsmen.
Captain Swope, who commanded the
right wing of the soldier lines dur
ing the day, said that he would go to
the place where Major Lester was
shot and recover the body.
Captain Swope said he would not 90
for the body under truce agreement
unless leaders OF the strikers went
with him as an evidence OF good faith
Fighting that practically encircled
the town continued for five hours at
Walsenburg between strikers, state
troops and mine guards. Maj p. p.
Lester Of the hospital corps met his
death, shot through the left breast,
while dressing the wounds Of a com
rade within one hundred and fifty feet
of the strikers position. Firing ceased
shortly after three O'Clock.
Washington, April 30.-President
Wilson Tuesday ordered federal troops
sent To the strike ridden coal mining
district OF Colorado for the restora-
ton and preservation Of peace and or.
der.
The action OF the president resulted
from indications thai violent demon
strations In the strike zone are in
creasing and from the refusal of the
Rockefellers to concede recognition of
the miners union, now the chief point
In dispute between the operators and
their employees.
Secretary Of War Garrison imme-
diately ordered TWO troops of the
Twelfth cavalry TO the strike region.
II this force proves insufficient for the
restoration Of order a larger body Of
troops will be dispatched from Fort
oil Interests Ask Troops.