Fact Check: Is the Idaho Hazard Mitigation Plan on Civil Disturbances Historically Accurate?

Mark Reinhardt- Boise Idaho 

The State of Idaho’s Bureau of Homeland Security sends out a plan, called a, “Hazard Mitigation Plan.” One aspect of the plan contains a section on Civil Disturbances.

Addressing historical Civil Disturbances in Idaho, the plan stated; (1)

"There have been several episodes of civil disturbance in Idaho. Chinese immigrant 

mining disturbances  date back to 1885, and miner strikes and confrontations are 

recorded in the 1890’s. During this  decade, Idaho Governors requested federal 

assistance on two separate occasions in efforts to suppress 

insurrection. (Coeur d'Alene Miners' Dispute (1892-1899)"

This was also known as the Burke Canyon Shootout. 

American Heritage Magazine said of the Dispute; (2)

“Fortunes were being made—but not by the men who worked down in the mines. There were about 

three thousand of them by then, plus another five hundred common laborers. And they earned $3.50 a 

day for a nine-hour shift.”

 This dispute would later involve the use of Guns, to which, the United States Marshalls Service would

later become involved. American Heritage said of the Marshalls Service

involvement;

“By then the sheriff, district attorney, and several state militia officers and United States Marshals were on the scene to promote a truce.” 

Federal Officials were on scene to promote peace, not suppress.

Sources:

http://www.bhs.idaho.gov/Pages/Plans/Mitigation/Documents/tempPlan/3.15%20Civil%20Disturbances.pdf  (1)

https://web.archive.org/web/20080517050017/http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1971/5/1971_5_44.shtml (2)

http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1971/5/1971_5_44.shtml

(2)