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Hellraisers Journal – Friday January 2, 1904
Military Despotism Rules Cripple Creek, Telluride and Southern Colorado
From the Duluth Labor World of January 2, 1904:
TEXT:
WILL THROW MOTHER JONES IN BULL PEN
Mother Jones Strongly Excoriates the Tyrant and Gov. Peabody.Denver, Colo., Dec. 24-…General Bell, smarting under the stings of “Mother” Jones’ masterful excoriation of himself and Peabody, declares in stringent tones that if opportunity offers he will slap her in the bull pen. That declaration was unnecessary. Those who are at all acquainted with his record know grey hairs, womanhood nor any other of those things which true men revere and hold sacred are as nothing to him if they stand in the way of groveling service to his masters.
Editorial Suppressed.
The Victor Record, the official organ of the strikers, has had a military patrol and censor placed at the office. George E. Kyner, editor, was notified that no editorials reflecting in any way upon Governor Peabody or the militia would be allowed, nor could the daily official statement prepared by the miners’ executive committee be published. Next day the Record came out with a black-faced heading “Record Reflections”- a two-column blank space with a border, on the editorial page, indicating that the matter, whatever it was, had been suppressed.
The official statement of the Miners’ Union which was suppressed follows:
“The governor of the state of Colorado has today pretended to declare martial law in the Cripple Creek district. There is absolutely no justification for this outrage. The strike has been on for three months and but one serious crime has been committed and that cannot be laid to strike conditions. The alleged attempt to wreck a railroad train is a trick plot of two detectives employed by the mine owners.
“The Vindicator matter was an accident, or a crime committed by someone employed by the mine owners.
“The mine owners have lost the strike and hence their desperation.-District Union NO. 1, W. F. of M.”
[Emphasis added.]
Thursday December 24, 1903 – Telluride, Colorado
–Arrests and Deportations of Union Men in Strike Zone
Eighteen union men, members of the Western Federation of Miners, were arrested in the Telluride strike zone yesterday, among them was Guy Miller. From Brother Miller, we learn that the charge was “intent to intimidate.” Miller was included in the round up due to his being found talking to union prisoners through the window of the county judge’s office. Eleven of the men were transported to Montrose. Along the way, they were offered their freedom, one at a time, in private interviews, if they would promise not to return to the Telluride district. This they refused to do, although some were threatened with the loss of their lives should they return. It appears that the men will be spending Christmas in jail, away from their families.
Vagrancy is the charge being used more and more against the striking miners in the Telluride strike zone. Men are rounded up and given two days to go back to work or face jail and/or deportation. Sentences of twelve to twenty days are handed down. Judge Wardlaw has upheld this practice as legal.
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From the New York Sun of Monday December 28, 1903:
CALL TO COLORADO LABOR
State Federation to Start a Movement
Against Gov. Peabody.DENVER. Col., Dec. 27.-The labor unions of Colorado are about to start a vigorous crusade against what they term the tyranny of Gov. Peabody and the State militia.
The State Federation of Labor sounded the keynote yesterday in an address urging the formation of a “law and order and constitutional rights protective league,” which should appeal to the President and Congress for the protection of the constitutional rights of citizens. They declare that if this is not secured the members will defend their rights at all cost. Officers of other labor organizations met later and endorsed the State Federation’s action.
The movement is to be general, and especial stress will be laid upon the growing tendency of the Governor to use the militia against members of organized labor. It will be argued that it is his intention, backed by the corporations, to destroy the labor organizations of the State. The men will be urged to exercise the right of self-defense.
This general movement is expected to reach its climax next Sunday, when a citizens’ meeting will be held in Denver. Mother Jones and other labor agitators will address the meeting.
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Tuesday December 29, 1903 – Cripple Creek, Colorado
– Former U. S. Rep. Glover defies military order to give up guns.
A letter written by former Missouri Congressmen John M. Glover states that he will not give up his guns despite a military order to do so. Glover currently resides in Cripple Creek where he is a practicing attorney. The letter has been sent to the Denver Republican where it will be published for all to read, including the state’s militia which now occupies the strike zone:
Cripple Creek, Colo., December 28, 1903
I observe that Colonel Verdeckberg issued still other proclamations calling for more arms and detailing the strenuous things he will do if they are not surrendered. Tell the colonel that there are two guns in my office and they are not registered; they are mine; the constitution gives me the right to carry them; they are loaded to the brim. The colonel can have them when the supreme court ratifies his criminal usurpation against the liberties of the people of this county, and before that whenever he is brave enough to murder under his illegal orders.
I look to see the supreme court ransom this people and all the active agents in this conspiracy against human rights sent to the penitentiary, where they belong.
A disorderly and lawless governor, who prostitutes the military arm to crush one side of an industrial controversy-I don’t care which side-is the chief anarchist in the state. Where agitators make single socialists he makes them in shoals. Tell the colonel to come when I am at home and to come at the head of his squad. If, whenever a governor is base enough to tell a transparent and wicked lie about a community, he can by virtue of that lie, wipe away all constitutional rights and put me under the government of a San Hedran of wild asses’ colts like Bell, Chase and McClelland and company; I am ready to pass in my chips at any time.
As for unionism, it is stronger today than ever. It is built on a basic principle of human nature. It can’t be stamped out by the military heel. Persecution strengthens it as it strengthened the early church.
JOHN M. GLOVER
[Emphasis added.]
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Wednesday December 30, 1903 – Cripple Creek, Colorado
-The Shoot-Out at the Office of John M. Glover
The following is the military report concerning the shoot-out at the law office of the former Congressman from Missouri, John M. Glover:
On December 28, 1903, an incident took place which I have the honor to refer to by attaching herewith a report in detail concerning the arrest of one John M. Glover, at Cripple Creek, Colo., that date, to wit:
Headquarters
TELLER COUNTY MILITARY DISTRICT,
NATIONAL GUARD OF COLORADO.Victor, Colo., December 28, 1903.
To His Excellency the Governor, State of Colorado.
I have the honor to report as follows: A few minutes before twelve o’clock this noon, Mr. Sam Viddler, correspondent for the Denver Republican, called at my office and handed me a letter dated Cripple Creek, Colorado, December 28, 1903, addressed to the editor of the Denver News, signed by John M. Glover, which I attach herewith and make a part of this report.
The contents of this letter were made known to Major Naylor, on duty at these headquarters, and he was instructed by me to immediately go to Cripple Creek and arrest Glover and bring him back and place him in confinement at Camp Goldfield Guard House, and at the same time to possess himself of any weapons he might find. The report of Major Naylor, which is attached hereto and made a part of this report, explains itself.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD VERDECKBERG.
Colonel First Infantry, First Brigade, N. G. C.,
Commanding the District.—–
Victor, Colorado, Dec. 28, 1903.
Colonel Edward Verdeckberg,
Commanding Teller County Military District.Sir—In compliance with the verbal Instructions I received from you at about 12:05 p. m. to-day, ordering me to proceed to Cripple Creek, Colorado, and arrest one John M. Glover and take possession of guns he claimed to have in his office, I left Victor at 12:30 p. m., proceeded to Cripple Creek, and securing the assistance of Lieutenant Young, Company “D,” Second Infantry, First Brigade, N. G. C., also Sergeants Dittemore and Smith, of the same company, proceeded to the office of the said John M. Glover, same being located in the Fairley & Lampman block, corner of Third street and Bennett avenue, second floor.
At about 1:20 p. m. I rapped on the door of Mr. Glover’s office. He replied by asking who wanted admittance. I informed him and demanded admittance. He stated that he would not open the door, and would “kill the first son of a b—- ” who attempted to get in, and that we were all a gang of anarchists from the Governor down. I withdrew to the office of Mr. Cole and held a conference with yourself over the telephone, in which we decided to starve him out. After this conference I instructed Lieutenant Young to procure a rope and screw-hooks to screw the hooks into the door case and with the rope tie the knob of the door to the screw-hooks, in order to prevent the said Glover from taking the men on guard by surprise.
After securing the necessary material Sergeants Dittemore and Smith proceeded with the work of tieing up the door. At about two o’clock, as we were putting the last screw-hook I approached from Mr. Cole’s office. Upon arriving in front of Mr. Glover’s office I asked them if he, meaning Glover, had said anything. Before they could reply a shot came through the door, evidently fired by Glover. Sergeant Smith, being on his knees at this time working on the screw-hook, the shot struck the floor just beneath his body and between his legs. The slivers from the floor penetrated his clothes and struck in the testicles.
Glover fired another shot instantly, which just grazed Smith’s head. Myself and all the men under my command immediately opened fire through the door-firing not to exceed twenty shots in all. Immediately everything became quiet, and I called: Hello, there, Glover! Glover replied: “I will come out; I am shot.” I instructed him to put up his hands and walk out. This he did. I immediately took him across the hall to the office of Dr. Cunningham and had his wound dressed, said wound being in the left forearm and a flesh wound.
After the doctor had finished dressing the wound I lodged him in the county jail. Upon entering Glover’s office I secured a Winchester pump shot gun No 174,446, also a Haenel Shul rifle, 30-30 caliber, made in Germany. It was with this rifle that Glover fired the shots.
I especially wish to commend the actions of Lieutenant Young and Sergeants Dittemore and Smith under fire.
Respectfully submitted this the 28th day of December, 1903.
Your obedient servant,
H. A. NAYLOR,
Major Second Infantry, First Brigade, N. G. C.——
Upon the representation of Mr. L. E. Hill, Mr. Austin Holman and Dr.——–, that Glover was a particular friend, and also counsel, for the Golden Cycle Mining Company, in which Messrs. Hill and Holman were officials, and that their influence over him would be sufficient to guarantee that he (Glover) would make no inflammatory talk in the future if he be allowed permission to leave prison and go to a Colorado Springs hospital for treatment. Glover was then released from confinement in the county jail and permitted to leave the district, after he had signed the following agreement:
Cripple Creek, Colo., December 29, 1903.
I accept release from confinement in Teller county on the following conditions, which I pledge myself as a gentleman to observe strictly:
First. That I shall return to Cripple Creek and deliver myself to Colonel Verdeckberg (or other officer in command) when requested to do so by such officer.
Second. That until I shall have placed myself in the custody of such officer or other proper authorities (sheriff, etc), I pledge myself not to talk or write for publication, nor institute any proceedings, legal or of any kind.
JOHN M. GLOVER
Witness:
H. A. NAYLOR,
Major Second Infantry, First Brigade, N. G. C.[Emphasis added.]
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From El Paso Herald of December 30, 1903:
Trial of Strikers for Dynamiting Commences
———-
Jury Secured and Trial is On
-Strikers Must Work Or Get Out of Victor.
———-Georgetown, Colo., Dec. 30.-The hearing of evidence began today in the trial of 15 labor union men charged with complicity in the Sun and Moon dynamiting at Idaho Springs, July 28 last, in which Philip Fire, one of the dynamiters, was killed.
All the defendants except D. C. Copley are members of the Idaho Springs miners’ union and Copley is a member of the executive board of the Western Federation of Miners.
Forty-six witnesses have been summoned by the prosecution, some of whom, it was asserted by Attorney Ralph E. Talbot in the opening statement, would divulge the plot in which they were concerned for the destruction of the Sun and Moon property. The attorneys for the defense deferred making an opening statement until the testimony of the state is introduced.
Strikers Must Go to Work.
Victor, Colo., Dec. 30.-Colonel Verdeckburg, in command of the military of this district, today issued a proclamation notifying all vagrants that if they do not become engaged in some “honored and lawful pursuit” before Jan. 7, next, they will be arrested and confined in the military prison. Vagrants are defined to be all persons not having any visible means of support.
[Emphasis added.]
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SOURCES & IMAGES
Quote Mother Jones, CFI Owns Colorado
-re 1903 Strikes UMW WFM, Ab Chp 13, 1925
https://archive.iww.org/history/library/MotherJones/autobiography/13/
The Labor World
(Duluth, Minnesota)
-Jan 2, 1904
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78000395/1904-01-02/ed-1/seq-2/
The Cripple Creek Strike, 1903-1904
-by Emma F. Langdon
Victor, CO, 1904
https://archive.org/details/cripplecreekstri00lang/mode/1up?view=theater
https://archive.org/details/cripplecreekstri00lang/page/214/mode/1up?view=theater&q=%22intent+to+intimidate%22
https://archive.org/details/cripplecreekstri00lang/page/191/mode/1up?view=theater&q=glover
The Sun
(New York, New York)
-Dec 28, 1903
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1903-12-28/ed-1/seq-3/
Report to Colorado Governor from Adjutant General,
Denver CO, Dec 1904
(search: glover) pages 116-118
https://books.google.com/books?id=8FcMAQAAIAAJ
El Paso Herald
(El Paso, Texas)
-Dec 30, 1903
https://www.newspapers.com/image/41349610/?terms=talbot&match=1
See also:
John Milton Glover (June 23, 1852 – October 20, 1929) was a U.S. Representative from Missouri, nephew of John Montgomery Glover.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Milton_Glover
Tag: Cripple Creek Strike of 1903-1904
https://weneverforget.org/tag/cripple-creek-strike-of-1903-1904/
Tag: Telluride Strike of 1903-1904
https://weneverforget.org/tag/telluride-strike-of-1903-1904/
Tag: Colorado Coalfield Strike of 1903-1904
https://weneverforget.org/tag/colorado-coalfield-strike-of-1903-1904/
More on Military Despotism in the Cripple Creek Strike Zone:
A proclamation was issued by the occupation forces of the Colorado National Guard on December 30th of 1903. Although the proclamation did not specifically cite the striking miners of the Western Federation of Miners, it was used against them in the following weeks. Striking miners were soon to be rounded up, put on special trains, and transported out of the district and away from their homes and families. They were forbidden to return to their homes. This is a copy of that proclamation:
On December 30, 1903, all unemployed men were notified to leave the district in a proclamation issued by the Military District Commander, as follows:
PROCLAMATION.
Headquarters
TELLER COUNTY MILITARY DISTRICT,
NATIONAL GUARD OF COLORADO.Victor, Colo., December 30, 1903. Any person able to work and support himself in some honest and respectable calling, who shall be found loitering or strolling about, frequenting public places or where liquor is sold, begging or leading an idle, immoral or profligate course of life, or not having visible means of support, shall be deemed a vagrant.
Notice is hereby given that from and after January 7, 1904, all vagrants, as hereinbefore defined, who shall be found within any of the cities and towns, or any part of Teller county, Colorado, will be promptly arrested by the military authorities and dealt with according to law.
All persons within the said territory who fall within the above definition of a vagrant, are hereby given until the above mentioned date within which to become engaged in some honest and lawful pursuit, after which they will be taken into custody without further notice.
By order of Colonel Verdeckberg.
H. M. LIBBY,
First Lieutenant and Adjutant
First Infantry, First Brigade, N. G. C.,
Adjutant of the District.
SOURCE
Report Colorado. Adjutant-General’s Office 1904
(search: “deemed a vagrant”) p116
https://books.google.com/books?id=8FcMAQAAIAAJ
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More on the Sun and Moon Trials:
This account has only five members of the Western Federation of Miners on trial for the Sun and Moon explosion. The evidence was weak and the trials led to acquittals:
In December, 1903, John E. Chandler, financial secretary and business agent of the Federation in Idaho Springs, Foster Milburn, Ralph Sanborn, Frank Napoli, and Joseph Carbonetti were tried at Georgetown, Clear Creek County, on the charge of conspiracy to blow up the transformer house of the Sun and Moon mine. Being acquitted, they were rearrested immediately, and brought to Central City, Gilpin County, charged with malicious mischief in blowing up the transformer house. The reason of trials in two counties was that the transformer house was in Gilpin County, near the dividing line between the counties, while the kegs of dynamite were rolled by persons on a hillside in Clear Creek County, just across the line. In the trial at Central City, Chandler was acquitted in June, 1904, and Milburn was acquitted in July, 1904, after which the district attorney nolled the cases against Sanborn, Napoli, and Carbonetti.
[Emphasis added.]
Members of the Idaho Springs Citizens Protective League who had beaten and deported striking miners were never charged with any crime.
SOURCE
Report on Labor Disturbances in the State of Colorado,
from 1880 to 1904, Inclusive
Commissioner of Labor Carroll Davidson Wright
U. S. Bureau of Labor, Jan 1905
(search: chandler milburn sanborn) page 158
https://books.google.com/books?id=txQZAAAAYAAJ
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