The copper era and Morenci leader., 1917-10-05

him one blow. over the head with lis gun and while he was stunned Sheriff Slaughter secured the six shooter concealed in the mans shirt.
 General Manager; Milton Mclean of Phelps Dodge company at Mo renci was an eye witness to the in cident. He had been spending the evening at the residence of General Manager Carmichael in Clifton when about ten o'clock he received tele- phone message from Store Manager Owens at Morenci that a mob had left Morenci going down the road but that he did not know where they were going or what their purpose was MT Mclean immediately left for Morenci short time after the Sher- ifs car and overlook the Sheriff's posse just as they encountered the first detachment. MT. Mclean stat ed afterwards that the Sheriff and his deputies handled the matter in very quiet manner telling the men repeatedly that it was his duty as the Sheriff to enforce the law and that mob like that must consider themselves under arrest
 It is understood that the Mexican and Spaniard miners became very much excited Sunday afternoon when wild rumor was circulated that bunch of "scabs" were to be imported into Clifton Sunday night and be placed at the mines in Mo- renci and Metcalf during the night ready for work Monday morning. It is believed that some of the picket captains" became extremely active and some of the more aggressive miners proceeded to arm themselves in various ways and guard the high way between Clifton and Morenci and decided to march into Clifton if necessary. Prior to the arrival of Sheriff Slaughter several autos had been stopped on the road and the idenity of the passengers identified before they were permitted to pro- csed
 President P. NJ. Vargas of the miners union disclaimed all know ledge of the incident and is under stood to have regretted it very much as he considered it an incident ini- mical to the interests of the men on strike.
 The statement attributed to the Mexcain Consul that the men were
 
 considered joke in the district by all who know the facts.
 During the week Sheriff Slaughter issued the following written state ment of the arrests:
 Owing to unreliable press dis patches being printed over the state regarding the armed disturbance above Clifton on Sunday night when approximately four hundred strikers MeXicans and Spaniards made an at tempt to march on Clifton, as Sheriff of Greenlee county, I wish to state t;e following facts in regard to same
 Contrary to the Mexican Consul s report from Clifton. as published in the Ei Paso Herald under date Of October 3rd. in which Consul claimed tO0 unemployed Mexicans who have been on strike for several months at Morenci were informed on Monday there would be plenty of work a' Clifton. and Consul further statins that Mexicans being without money they started to walk to Clifton to seek employment, as Sheriff Of Greenlee County, ' wish to state that the above statement by Mexican Con sul is absolutely false.
 About 10:30 Sunday night I re ceived phore message that bunch of strikers had started to march out of Morenci, presumably for Clifton Myself and three deputies left in al automobile for Morenci, and wher about two miles below Morenci. we 1 encountered small bunch oe Mexi cans marching towards Clifton.
 asked them where they were eoin: | Al ing to Clifton to run the "scabs' and gringos out. We searched these
 men for guns nf which we found sev eral. as well as candle sticks, clubs etc. These men were placed unde ! guard, and we proceeded up the roa, and encountered the main bunch
 halted these men and told them the, were under arrast, and proceeded tt search them. In searching thes, men, one Mexican, Valeniania Macias resisted, and it was necessary t club him over the head before W, since been hld under S5.OOO bond fo riot
 After all of the men had beer searched. I ordered them to marcl [ 10 CllftOn, Wnlcn they refused do. I then sent for more help, citi zens from Clifton and deputies iron Morenci. About the time this hell arrived, P. NJ. Vargas, president o the Morenci union. came on tht scene and asked to take the mel back to Morenci, which refused 1 We loaded them into automobile i trucks which had arrived in thu meantime and brought them to Cliff | ton.
 During the time we were search ing these men, they began to throw away their guns, pocket knives, etc .. and great many of them succeeded in getting way over the hills. IT all 70 were rounded up and brough 1 to Clifton. where they are being helC , in jail.
 "I have endeavored, during tht