The commission arrived in Victor at 9.15 P. M., Sept. 3, 1903. Mayor French, of Victor, and a few members of the Mine Owners' Association met them
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at the depot and escorted them to a private consultation room in the rear of the bank of Victor, where they remained in session until 11.00 P. M. The commission then boarded an electric car and rode to Cripple Creek. On arrival they proceeded to the National Hotel where Sheriff Robertson of Teller County awaited them.
For two hours, between 12.30 and 2.30 A. M., Sheriff Robertson and the commission were in conference. The sheriff solemnly assured the commission that there was no quieter district in the United States than Teller County ; that the strikers were orderly and peaceful; that no violence, excepting here and there a little street fight, had occurred; that there was not the least danger of riots or destruction of property; that he, the sheriff, had the situation well in hand, and that the state troops were not needed in the county.
About three hours later the commission left for Denver. Before boarding the train they wired the governor that a reign of terror existed in the district, and that they did not believe the civil authorities were able to cope with the situation.
Mayor French, of Victor, acting under instructions of the Mine Owners' Association, wired the governor along the same lines.
The commission arrived in Denver at 11.00 o'clock A. M., Sept. 4th, and one-half hour later 1,200 men and officers were under orders to move on Cripple Creek. At 4.15 P. M. the first special train carrying troops left the city, followed by a second special that night.