Month: September 2024

Hellraisers Journal: President Wilson Demands Settlement to Colorado Coalfield Strike, Issues Plan for Three-Year Truce

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones re Miners Org Real Power of Labor Mv, Speech UMW D14 Conv, Apr 30, 1914, Ptt KS, Steel Speeches p134—————

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday September 9, 1914
President Woodrow Wilson Demands End to Colorado Strike

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World of September 7, 1914:

Woodrow Wilson, 1912

DEMANDS THAT STRIKE BE ENDED
———-
President Wilson Sent Message
to Leaders of Miners’s Union
———-
FEDERAL TROOPS STAND GUARD
———-
Are on Duty to Protect the Citizens
From Atrocities
———-
Government Has Particular Interest
 in This Strike
———-

Washington, D. C., Sept. 7.-President Wilson addressed letters to the heads of mining companies and officers of the United Mine Workers of America concerned in the Colorado coal strike, virtually demanding that the long strike be ended, because of federal troops on duty in the strike district, the president feels that the government has a peculiar interest.

[Photograph added.]

From the Mount Vernon, Ohio, Democratic Banner of September 8, 1914:

WOULD END LABOR WAR IN COLORADO
———-

Wilson Submits a Proposition
to Operators and Miners.
———-

SUGGESTS THREE-YEAR TRUCE
———-

Appeals to Patriotism of Belligerents and at the Same Time Warns
the Mine Owners That Federal Troops Should no Longer Remain
Doing Police Duty in Strike Districts. Now Up to John D., Jr.

Washington, Sept. 8.-President Wilson submitted a plan for a three years’ truce to all parties in the Colorado mining strike. The president urges the acceptance of this plan on patriotic grounds, alluding to the European war and the need that “all untoward and threatening circumstances be taken out of the life of the people of the United States.” At the same time the president serves warning on operators and miners that the federal troops have remained about as long as they ought to remain doing police duty in the strike districts.

This action by the president will again necessitate a decision by the Rockefeller interests as to whether they will make any concessions in the vital principles involved in the strike. Thus far John D. Rockefeller, Jr., has indicated a purpose of fighting it out to the very end.

The president points out that there are important public interests involved in the existing controversy aside from those of the two contending parties. The plan he submits was evolved by two representatives of the government who have studied the issues in the strike for several months with a view to finding a solution.

The plan contemplates establishment of a truce for three years, during whence the state mining and labor laws shall be enforced, and the restoration to employment of all striking miners who have not been found guilty of violation of the laws. Intimidation of nonunion or union men is to be prohibited and wage scales are to be posted at each mine. A grievance committee is to be chosen by the employes of each mine which shall be entrusted with treating with the employer when trouble arises. A committee, to be appointed by the president, is to be the appeal body to which grievances that can not be otherwise settled are to be taken.

The president sent a letter outlining the government’s plan to the presidents of the Colorado Fuel and Iron company, the chairman of the Victor American Fuel company, the president of the Rocky Mountain Fuel company and the officers of the United Mine Workers of America.

[Emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: President Wilson Demands Settlement to Colorado Coalfield Strike, Issues Plan for Three-Year Truce” →

Hellraisers Journal: Mother Jones Speaks at Labor Day Celebration at Columbus, Kansas

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Stick Together, MI Mnrs Bltn p1, Aug 14, 1913—————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday September 8, 1914
Columbus, Kansas – Mother Jones Speaks at Labor Day Celebration

From The Pittsburg Daily Headlight of September 7, 1914:

Mother Jones Coming to Seattle crpd, Stt Str p2, May 29, 1914Mother Jones at Columbus.

Columbus, Sept. 7-“Mother” Jones, the aged woman who has figured in the mine troubles of West Virginia and Colorado, and who has spent a large part of the past few years in military prisons and jails as a result of her activity among the miners, was the principal speaker at the Labor Day celebration in this city today. She spoke to an immense audience in the City park. L. F. Fuller of Girard, Socialist candidate for Congress, was the other speaker. It is estimated 5,000 persons came to Columbus to participate in the celebration today. There was a parade in the morning and outdoor exercises in the afternoon.

[Photograph and emphasis added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Chicago Meat Cutters and Butchers Renew Strike and Stand Ready to Fight to the “Bitter End”

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Coming of the Lord, Cnc Pst p6, July 23, 1902—————

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday September 7, 1904
Striking Chicago Meat Cutters and Butchers Will Fight to Bitter End

From The Labor World of September 3, 1904:
The Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of Chicago have renewed their strike and stand ready to fight to the “bitter end.”

TO FIGHT BIG CHICAGO STRIKE
TO BITTER END
———-

Executive Officers Decide to Wage War
Against Packers With Vigor.
———-
Meeting Which Promised to Call Off Strike
Renews Activities.
———-

Michael Donnelly w Butchers, Chicago Ill Commons p397, Sept 1904

Chicago, Ill., Sept. 1-Hostilities have been vigorously renewed in the stock yards strike, both sides threaten a determined fight to the finish and the police have taken extreme measures in anticipation of trouble.

Following the action of the strike leaders in unanimously voting to continue the strike and fight to the bitter end, now that the packers have rejected final overtures for peace, an army of more that 2,000 strike pickets again have taken up watch about the yards. At a late hour the Board of business agents of the twenty-seven branches of the Butcher Workmen’s Union, were convened and given instructions. It was asserted that the question of calling a general strike of the 220,000 union workmen in Chicago in all trades was discussed.

“There will be startling developments within a few hours,” said President Michael Donnelly of the Butcher Workmen’s Union. “We are preparing our fences and laying our lines and we are going to win this strike. Chicago will be amazed when the developments become public. We will say nothing until the proper time.”

The fact that T. P. Quinn of the Chicago Federation of Labor, who advocated a general walk-out of every trade in Chicago held a long conference with the strike leaders led to a wide report that a general tie-up of all Chicago’s industries for three days or a week by a monster strike of all organized labor was under discussion.

On their side the packers took steps which threatened trouble. They demanded a heavily increased police guard and last night began preparations to attempt to move to their Fulton and South Water street branch markets, which have been practically closed since the big strike began.

Pickets are Ordered Back.
With the packers thus throwing down the gage, the strike leaders ordered the army of pickets back to vigorous duty. More that 1,500 pickets took up watch about the yards and at the various points where supplies may be hauled to the various branch markets.

Vice President Raff of the Teamsters Union, which declared last night to stay in the strike to the end, asserted that his men would aid in the work of picketing.

“Contrary to reports in some quarters,” said he, “we have never withdrawn our pickets. We are increasing their number and they will do duty as before, stopping ice deliveries to those dealers who persist in handling ‘unfair’ meat.”

International Secretary Call of the Butcher Workmen’s Union, said:

“Everything is most satisfactory. We stand as a unit. We are convinced that this strike can be won.”

“It will be a strike now that will strike some surprise to this city.” said President Donnelly of the Butcher Workmen’s union. “We have made every possible effort for peace. Now the blame for the results must rest on the packers. Our men stand firm to a a man. They will fight to win if we have to stay out until Christmas.”

The Conference Board indorsed the action of the Butcher Workmen’s executive board by unanimous vote.

President Donnelly and Secretary Homer D. Call of the Butcher Workmen’s Union, as a special committee, carried to the conference board the report of the action of their body.

They were greeted with a terrific outburst of cheering. Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Chicago Meat Cutters and Butchers Renew Strike and Stand Ready to Fight to the “Bitter End”” →

Hellraisers Journal: From the Appeal to Reason: Wayland for Debs Campaign; Colorado Republicans; Georgia Democrats

Janet RayeEugene Victor Debs
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Quote EVD, Prosperity, LW p1, July 1, 1919—————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday September 6, 1904
Comrade Wayland Supports Debs Campaign vs Republicans and Democrats

From the Appeal to Reason of Sept 3, 1904:

Comrade Wayland Does His Part for Socialist Candidates

In this week’s Appeal to Reason, Editor J. A. Wayland  describes how he has been working, on his own time, for the Socialist Party candidates and asks the Appeal Army to do the same:

EVD n Hanford for Pres SPA, AtR p6, Sept 3, 1904

WILL YOU HELP
———-

Last week I rode sixty-five miles, circulating Appeals and pamphlets, about Girard [Kansas]. One evening after work I made twenty miles and left an Appeal and two pamphlets at every farm house. Don’t feel to dignified to do such work, and the most humble can do it and by it do just as effective work as the most brilliant speakers. I intend to keep this up during the entire campaign, giving fresh literature at each covering of the same roads. I do this after my day’s work in the office is done. Ten thousand men doing this two or fours hours a week would make a tremendous breach in capitalism this fall.

J. A. WAYLAND

Good Christians of Colorado Fear Growth of Socialism

The Appeal to Reason reports that ministers throughout Colorado have been receiving the following letter:

Letter re Socialism v Christianity by Rev, AtR p2, Sept 3, 1904

The above letter was written to a New Castle, Colo., minister. A similar letter was sent to every minister in the state of Colorado. You will note that it is written on stationery furnished and paid for by the people of Colorado. It is by this means that the ruling class hope to further enslave the working class. The Mine Owners’ Association and the Citizens’ Alliance are flooding Colorado with literature in a vain attempt to stem the tide which they realize will soon engulf them. The Rev. Mr. Malone is very much afraid that Socialism will sweep aside the time honored institution of private property-and by private property in this case the gentleman has reference to the great productive properties of the state-the mines-the railroads-the mills and factories. Mr. Malone is right. Socialism proposes to destroy private property in these things, which are essential to the collective welfare and vest the title in society collectively. Exploitation will then cease.
Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From the Appeal to Reason: Wayland for Debs Campaign; Colorado Republicans; Georgia Democrats” →

Hellraisers Journal: Nurse Helen Schloss and Union Leaders Jailed at Trinidad CO; Martial Law Enforced at Butte MT

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones re Miners Org Real Power of Labor Mv, Speech UMW D14 Conv, Apr 30, 1914, Ptt KS, Steel Speeches p134—————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday September 5, 1914
News from Miners’ Strikes at Trinidad, Colorado, and Butte, Montana

From the Salem, Oregon, Capital Journal of September 2, 1914:

Mother Jones Says Government Will
Take Over the Colorado Mines

Mother Jones Coming to Seattle crpd, Stt Str p2, May 29, 1914

“Mother” Mary Jones, the militant woman strike leader, claims to have some “inside” information to the effect that President Wilson will soon take vigorous action in the Colorado mine strike situation. “Mother” Jones declared that within the next two or three days the United States Government will take over and administer the strike-bound Colorado mines.

[Photograph added.]

From Lawrence [Kansas] Daily Journal-World of September 2, 1914:

BUTTE UNDER MARTIAL LAW
———-

All Saloons Ordered Closed-No Public Gatherings
———-
Newspapers Under Strict Censorship.
-Women Not Allowed on the Streets

Butte, Mont., Sept. 2.-Butte is under martial law by a proclamation issued by Governor Stewart. On the order of Major Dan J. Donahue, commanding the militia, all the saloons were closed and public gatherings of any character were forbidden without permission of the commanding officer. Women will not be permitted on the streets after 8 o’clock in the evening nor before 6 in the morning. No disturbance thus far has occurred since the troops have arrived. Major Donahue has formally notified the newspaper offices of the city that they were under censorship.[Emphasis added.]

From Lawrence Daily Journal-World of September 3, 1914:

NO DISTURBANCES AT BUTTE
———-

Militia Arrest Leaders of Mine Workers’ Union

Butte, Mont., Sept. 3.-Butte’s fist day of Martial law was without disturbance. The Montana National guard occupied the court house and city hall. Headquarters of the state militia were established in the court house with Jess B. Roote as chief of staff and judge advocate. At the city hall Provost Marshal Frank Conley took charge.Orders were given soon after the militia moved into the business district to arrest leaders of the Butte Mine Workers’ union, the organization formed to oppose the Western Federation of Miners. Four arrests were made late in the afternoon, one of the men being James Chapman, chairman of the jurisdiction committee.

Provost Marshal Conley searched the city for President McDonald of the union, but he could not be found. He is wanted on charges of inciting riots. The list of men who are wanted was said by Major Roote to be a long one.

For the first time in three  days the jurisdiction committee of the new union did not appear at the mines to prohibit non-members from working. Outside of the court house, Gatling guns were placed in the streets and two machine guns were placed on the roof of the court house. Martial law orders prohibit all public meetings without special permits.

[Emphasis added.]

From the New York Times of September 3, 1914:

ARRESTS IN MINE WAR.

Trinidad Jail Is Filled – Union Leaders Reported Indicted.
Special to the New York Times

DENVER. Sept. 2. – Twenty prisoners, including union officials, strikers, and sympathizers, alleged to be concerned in the disorders arising out of the Colorado mine war are in jail at Trinidad, and many warrants are still to be served. The warrants, charging murder, arson, and other crimes, which followed the several pitched battles between strikers and mine guards this spring, are based on indictments which were returned by the Grand Jury last Saturday. It is believed that some of the prominent officers of the United Mine Workers have been indicted. Their names will not be revealed until the arrests are mad.The Trinidad Jail is filled tonight. Among the prisoners are William Diamond, National organizer of the United Mine Workers; James Davis, Marshal at Aguilar; Frank Miner, President of the Trinidad Trades Council, and Robert Uhlich, former President of the Trinidad Miners’ Union.

Helen Schloss of Denver, who is in charge of the strikers’ hospital at Ludlow, was arrested today by Federal troops charged with picketing. Her arrest has caused great concern among the strikers.

[Emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Nurse Helen Schloss and Union Leaders Jailed at Trinidad CO; Martial Law Enforced at Butte MT” →

Hellraisers Journal: From the Burley WA Co-operator: Mother Jones Describes the March of the Mill Children of July 1903

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones to TR, These Little Children, Phl No Am July 16, 1903, Foner p552—————

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday September 4, 1904
Mother Jones Describes the March of the Mill Children of July 1903

From The Co-operator of September 1904:

The March of the Children.

Lena Morrow Lewis, in The Socialist, Seattle, Washington, June 19th, 1904. From notes by Mother Jones.

Mother Jones w Army, March of Mill Children, AZ Rpbn p1, July 18, 1903

PHILADELPHIA is famed far and wide as the ” City of Brotherly Love.” Churches abound everywhere, and her people look with holy awe upon the sins and vices of their sister city on Long Island Sound. And an unsuspecting and unobserving public has been quite ready to accept without question all that the City of Brotherly Love has claimed for herself.

It has remained for the wicked labor agitator to ferret out and unearth the criminal conditions that exist in this quiet, peaceful church- going city of Philadelphia, and it is only in a Socialist paper that these facts are permitted to see the light of day.

The writer is indebted to “Mother” Jones for the items contained therein.

Last summer the textile workers of Philadelphia, 125,000 men, women and children, went on a strike. They demanded shorter hours, an increase of wages and better sanitary conditions. Filthy closets and a defective sewerage system produced a very unwholesome atmosphere in which to work. Meanwhile the rest of the world wagged merrily on, and no one seemed to know or care anything about the strike, except a few labor cranks and Socialists and the owners whose profits were being affected. Not a daily newspaper mentioned the cause of the strike, nor the fact that among the strikers were a large number of children. During this time “Mother” Jones “happened” to drop into town and, as is her custom, she began to stir up matters. The public should be forced to know what these people were striking for. But strikes were such common affairs and it would require drastic measures to arouse an indifferent public.

At last she hit upon a plan. She would marshal all the children between the ages of ten and fourteen and take them on a thirty-mile march and they were to stop at every town within that radius and tell the people the story of their wrongs. Many of these children had worked in the factory since they were seven years of age and had never been inside a school room. When they were gone about forty miles they decided to go over to Oyster Bay and present their case to President Roosevelt. There was some risk connected with a project of this kind. If any of the children had sickened or died on the way, that fact would have been heralded all over the country, and “Mother” Jones proclaimed a murderer. The mills could maim and disfigure and kill scores of children annually and no mention be made of the fact. However, “Mother” Jones felt that they could afford to take chances and proceeded with the children.

As they journeyed from town to town, members of the working class provided them with food and shelter.

The children marched thru the streets of the towns, held meetings and, thru their leaders, told the story of their wrongs. Every child was keyed up to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. Every step northward was taking them farther away from Philadelphia. Some of their fathers had voted for President Roosevelt; in their eyes he was the greatest man in the United States and so they went hopefully and merrily on. When they reached Bristol the leader sent a request on behalf of the children for a permit to hold a street meeting and, when it was learned that an army of children was coming into town, a squad of policemen armed with guns were ordered to stand guard on the bridge to protect the city against the children.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From the Burley WA Co-operator: Mother Jones Describes the March of the Mill Children of July 1903” →

Hellraisers Journal: Joe Hill Denied New Trial, Case Appealed to Utah Supreme Court, Execution Date Stayed

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Joe Hill, General Strike, Workers Awaken, LRSB p6, Oct 1919—————

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday September 3, 1914
Salt Lake City, Utah – Joe Hill Denied New Trial by Judge Ritchie

HdLn Hillstrom Joe Hill, New Trial Denied, SL Hld p12, Sept 2, 1914
Salt Lake Herald
September 2, 1914

Joe Hill appeared Tuesday before Judge M. L. Ritchie accompanied by his attorney, Soren X. Christensen. Christensen presented an argument for a new trial stating that:

1). Hill had not been identified as the man who killed the store owner, Morrison.
2). There had been only one thing proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and that was that Hill had been shot on the same night that Morrison was killed.
3). The jury had been prejudiced when, in the presence of the jury, Hill fired his own attorneys (Scott and McDougall) These same attorneys were then retained by the court as friends of the court contrary to the wishes of the defendant.
4). The jurymen were not impartial but were inclined to favor the prosecution. On this point, Christensen argued that: “That jury was selected by a science at which the district attorney is a past master and the defendant’s attorneys were unskilled.”

District Attorney E. O. Leatherwood insisted that the trial was fair and had been conducted in strict accordance with the law, and that Hill should be executed on the date set by Judge Ritchie [September 4, 1914].

Judge Ritchie ruled for the prosecution.

Christensen immediately filed for an appeal to the Utah Supreme Court which again stays the execution of Fellow Worker Joe Hill, for now.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Joe Hill Denied New Trial, Case Appealed to Utah Supreme Court, Execution Date Stayed” →

Hellraisers Journal: From the International Socialist Review: “The Gunmen and the Miners” by Eugene Victor Debs

Janet RayeEugene Victor Debs
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Quote Mother Jones, Clean Up Baldwin Gunthugs, Speech Aug 4 Montgomery WV—————

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday September 2, 1914
Eugene Debs Advocates for Creation of a Gunmen Defense Fund

From the International Socialist Review of September 1914:

The Gunmen and the Miners

By Eugene V. Debs

Death Special, ISR p727, June 1914

The time has come for the United Mine Workers and the Western Federation of Miners to levy a special monthly assessment to create a GUNMEN DEFENSE FUND.

This fund should be sufficient to provide each member with the latest high power rifle, the same used by the corporation gunmen, and 500 rounds of cartridges.

In addition to this every district should purchase and equip and man enough Gatling and machine guns to match the equipment of Rockefeller’s private army of assassins.

This suggestion is made advisedly and I hold myself responsible for every word of it.

If the corporations have the right to recruit and maintain private armies of thieves, thugs, and ex-convicts to murder striking workingmen, sack their homes, insult their wives, and roast their babes, then labor unions not only have the right but it is their solemn duty to arm themselves to resist these lawless attacks and defend their homes and loved ones.

To the miners especially do these words apply, and to them in particular is this message addressed.

Paint Creek [West Virginia], Calumet [Michigan], and Ludlow [Colorado] are of recent occurrence.

You miners have been forced out on strike,and you have been made the victims of every conceivable method of persecution.

[For attempting to organize,] you have been robbed, insulted and treated with contempt; you have seen your wives and babes murdered in cold blood before your eyes.

You have been thrown into foul dungeons where you have lain for months for daring to voice your protest against these cruel outrages and many of you are now cold in death with the gaping bullet wounds in your bodies to bear mute testimony to the efficacy of government by gunmen as set up in the mining camps by the master class during the last few years.

Under government by gunmen you are literally shorn of the last vestige of liberty and you have absolutely no protection under the law. When you go out on strike, your master has his court issue the injunction that strips you of your power to resist his injustice, and then has his private army of gunmen invade your camp, open fire on your habitations, and harass you and your families until the strike is broken and you are starved back into the pits on your master’s terms. This has happened over and over again in all the mining states of this union.

Now the private army of gunmen which has been used to break your strikes is an absolutely lawless aggregation.

If you miners were to arm a gang of thugs and assassins with machine guns and repeating rifles and order them to march on the palatial residences of the Rockefellers, riddle them with bullets, and murder the inmates in cold blood, not sparing even the babes, if there happened to be any, how long would it be before your officials would be in jail and your unions throttled and put out of business by the law?

The Rockefellers have not one particle more lawful right to maintain a private army to murder you union men than you union men would have to maintain a private army to murder the Rockefellers.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From the International Socialist Review: “The Gunmen and the Miners” by Eugene Victor Debs” →

Hellraisers Journal: Mrs. Langdon Reports on the Torture and Deportation of A. G. Leduc of the Western Federation of Miners

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Powers of Privilege ed, Ab Chp III————————-

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday September 1, 1904
Cripple Creek District, Colorado – The Torture and Deportation of A. G. Leduc

DRWG Siberia CO Citizens Alliance, AtR p1, June 25, 1904

Terror still reigns against union miners and union sympathizers in the Cripple Creek Strike Zone of Colorado. Mrs. Emma Langdon, of Victor, Colorado, reports from the Cripple Creek Strike zone:

The Inter-state Mercantile Company is seeking relief through the federal courts from mob terror. This company operates the stores which assist the striking miners and their families, and, being run by an out-of-state company, they are able to take their case into the federal courts.

State wide pressure placed upon Governor Peabody forced the executive of the state to offer state troops to the Sheriff of Teller County in order to quell the violence of the white-cappers [Citizens Alliance]. This offer was rejected by Sheriff Bell, the sheriff chosen by the white-cappers to replace Sheriff Robertson who was deemed too sympathetic to the W. F. of M. and was forced to resign or be hanged.

Sheriff Bell has now arrested a member of the clergy, Rev. Leland, who is considered too friendly to the union cause.

And finally Mrs. Langdon reports on the case of A. G. Leduc, member of the Western Federation of Miners. Leduc was kidnapped by the white-cappers, beaten, terrorized and driven from the his home and family. He was able to make his way to Denver, but his condition is serious.

MRS. EMMA F. LANGDON REPORTS
FROM THE CRIPPLE CREEK STRIKE ZONE
—————

Interstate Mercantile Company Appeals to Federal Court

On August 23, H. N. Heinerdinger, manager of the Inter-state Mercantile Company, which had some time previously, taken the control of the union stores of the district, applied to Judge Riner and Judge Hallett of the Federal court, first for an injunction restraining any one in the Cripple Creek district from interfering with the operations of the store; second, for damages against Teller county and certain individuals for the wrecking of the store, and third, individual suits for personal damage brought by Mr. Heinerdinger and F. J. Hall, citizens of Montana, who purchased and owned the store in Cripple Creek.

The Mercantile Company applied for the aid of the Federal court because it was a corporation organized under the laws of Montana, which made it a citizen of another state than Colorado. It was the diversity of citizenship between the company and the defendants which gave the Federal court jurisdiction to act. Most of the other deported men being citizens of Colorado as well as the deporters, the Federal court could not act for them.

Governor Offers Troops

[With citizens of the state becoming more disturbed over the outrages perpetrated on citizens in Cripple Creek], the governor, in order to make it appear that he would make an effort to maintain law, sent the following communication to Sheriff Bell, of Teller county:

State of Colorado, Executive Chamber,
Denver, Colo., Aug. 27, 1904.
Hon. Edward Bell, Sheriff of Teller County, Cripple Creek, Colorado:

Sir—Upon Saturday, the 21st inst., there was assembled in Teller county a disorderly mob of men. This mob destroyed private property and maltreated and drove from the county a number of citizens and other persons.

Teller county has been a source of much anxiety to my administration. Order has been restored there at great expense to the state, and the militia, after a protracted service, rendered with the single purpose of making life and property secure, had only recently been withdrawn.

Your county had been freed, as I hoped, from criminal disturbers of the peace; the civil offices of your county are now filled, as I am informed, by incumbents who desire to extend to all citizens the full protection of the law. I recalled the troops because I believed and was informed that your community was once more safe in the hands of such officers. If I am right in so believing, there should be no occasion for lawless outbursts such as that of Saturday last.

I am recently informed that a similar mob of men have in contemplation another and still further outrage. I am convinced that you, as sheriff, having the full sympathy and support of the civil authorities, can and should maintain peace and lawful order. I therefore desire to say that should you not be able, with the means at your disposal, to successfully cope with the situation and maintain law and order in Teller county, I am ready to again place at your disposal the militia of this state.

Our paramount duty at this and at all times is to uphold the law and its safeguards, without distinction of interests or of individuals.

I will thank you for an early reply, and am, respectfully yours,
JAMES H. PEABODY. Governor.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Mrs. Langdon Reports on the Torture and Deportation of A. G. Leduc of the Western Federation of Miners” →