The Mine That Became a Battlefield

Defensive Actions of Oregon Improvement Company Justified.

H. W. McSefl, manager for the Oregon Improvement Co., was seen yesterday by a reporter as to whether or not he had received a reply to the communication forwarded to Governor Enoch Parsons and ask for protection of the property of the company at Newcastle.

"I have received no reply as yet," said Mr. McSefl. "At the time I addressed the governor for protection I had every reason to fear trouble at Newcastle, founded upon the fact that I wanted a great deal of trouble and considerable expense to protect the property of the Oregon Improvement Company from possible destruction."

"I am sorry that Sheriff Cochran takes the view that the Oregon Improvement Company stood in the position of almost the only one to mortal combat and that we are hostile and have no means at Newcastle. Now, the fact is we are in the legitimate and honorable position of running a railroad and operating coal mines and the Oregon Improvement Company was not incorporated for the purpose of carrying on a war and dealing with the numerous themfor. Such a business is not recommended in the articles of Incorporation and if we declare war to some extent might get out at law injunction and perpetually enjoined from doing so. To further explain the position we took I need but recapitulate the fact that the feud between the Knights of Labor and the Miners' Union is of three years ending. It has already resulted in two outbreaks or riots. The miners were all members of the Knights of Labor and set up to three years ago now some do belong to the Miners' Union and 66 to the Knights of Labor. The feeling between the two is very bitter. It is a faction fight and this is the worst kind of a contest."

"There had been two outbreaks and the condition of affairs presaged a third. I asked the protection of the governor and of the sheriff and was not granted what I petitioned for. I informed the sheriff that I would hold the county responsible if the property of the company was destroyed by rioters. As the company is a necessary taxpayer only asked to be half the protection to which it was entitled. The precaution which I took in regarding the company's property from possible destruction were simply those which any prudent business man would take under like circumstances. At the last outbreak at Newcastle one man was killed and I therefore had good reason to believe that there would be violence."

"I have had a great deal of experience with miners in Missouri and elsewhere, and I greatly admire them and have many warm friends among them; but a few bad men can stir up a great deal of strife, and the recent agitation looks to me to be the work of the few rather than of the many. However, the trouble is apparently ended, and I am glad the outcome was a quiet and peaceful one."

Inquiry at the offices of the Cedar River and Oilman mines disclosed that all was quiet at the mines and that no fears were entertained of trouble in the immediate future. Sheriff Cochran telegraphed in the morning to his chief deputy at Franklin to arrest every man he could find with concealed weapons upon his person and to bring them to Seattle without delay.