The Detroit times., 1914-01-07
Friends Of Operators
On Special G,und Jury

HOUGHTON. Mich. Jan. 7.-(Spe
cial Armed mine guards in the EN-
ploy OF the operators attacked IN
armed strikers.
Strikers We're beaten and arrested
Tor making faces at company gun
men"
Imported deputies attacked men a.
ready locked behind prison bars.
One man was so badly beaten that
il was necessary to send him 10 hos
pital TO have his wounds dressed. He
was IL jail when the attack upon him
vas made.
Many persons hailed into court
showed marks and bruises TO prove
their stories OF brutality.
Nine men serving on the grand jury
investigating strike cases in HouSl
ton county are members OF the Cltl-
Gems Alliance.
One is chauffeur for James Nc
Naughton, general manager for the
Calumet & Hecla and leader Of the
strike opposition.
Another is commercial agent for
the Copper Range railroad. owned and
operated by the Copper Range Con
solldated Mining Co..
Two others are mill foremen in the
employ OF the Copper Range
Not a single member OF the jury Is
member or the Western Federation
Of Miners or has ever expressed sym
pathy with the cause OF the strikers.
Brutality 10 prisoners did not cease
until Judge Patrick IL. O'Brien warn
ed WaddellM ahon gunner that they
must cease or submit TO arrest.
These were some of the things Gov.
Woodbridge n. Ferris, now making
personal investigation of the greatest
labor disturbanc in the history OF
Michigan, learned yesterday.
The facts did not come from mem
bers OF the Federation OF Miners OF
from any one interested in the cause
Of labor.
The Information was furnished By
Judge Patrick II. O'Brien. of the
twelfth judicial district. comprising
the counties OF Houghton. Keweenaw.
and Baraga, and Anthony Lucas
prosecuting attorney for Houghton
county.
The members OF the Michigan Ma
tional Guard did not attack women
or did not shoot down men. women
and children" They behaved them
according TO the judge and the coun
ty officer.
Judge O'Brien cited many instances
of cruelty to men whose only offense
consisted in making faces or calling
mine guards ugly names.
Forty-nine Ascher gunner left the
district yesterday. Preparations Tor
departure were made by their leaders
g,,,p a f.f M
that Gov. Ferris wa coming To Hough-
ton But four OF them remain here
and these are held under bonds OF
10000 TO answer TO charges OF homi.
eide
But 20 gunner" were employed by
The sheriffs OF Houghton and Ke-
weenaw counties. the governor was
told This statement was disputed by
others in position TO know.
approximately $50 armed guards
from outside the strike district were
employed by the mining companies.
These men were given permission TO
bear arms by the sheriff and per.
formed practically the same duties as
the recognized deputies paid by the
county.
The state executive informed
committee OF business men who wait
ed upon him last night, that he con.
sidered the deportation OF Charles II.
Meyer a--flagrant an outbreak OF law
lessness as has characterized any act
OF the strikers
You have turned what was state
matter into national one" he said.
Sheriff Hepting and Prosecutor
Hamilton OF Keweenaw county were
sternly reprimanded for their failure
TO work together In handling cases
growing out of the strike.