The Governor reported to me the conditions as follows.

During 1907 the Goldfield mining district became divided into two hostile camps.

Half of the Western Federation of Miners were constantly armed, and arms and ammunition were purchased and kept by the union as a body, while the mine-owners on their side retained large numbers of watchmen and guards who were also armed and always on duty.

In addition to these opposing forces there was, as the Governor reported, an unusually large number of the violent and criminal element, always attracted to a new and booming mining camp.

Under such conditions the civil authorities were practically powerless, and the Governor, being helpless to avert civil war, called on me to keep order.