Hellraisers Journal: Miners Strike at Cananea, Sonora, Mexico, Leads to Fierce Fighting, Many Killed

Quote Mother Jones, Powers of Privilege, Ab Chp III —–

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday June 3, 1906
Tucson, Arizona – Reports on Cananea Copper Strike

From the Arizona Daily Star of June 2, 1906:

(Special to the Star.)

Naco, June 1.-There is a great riot at Cananea. All of the Mexicans at the mines of Colonel W. C. Greene are on the strike.

George Metcalf, the purchasing agent of the mines, and his brother, Will Metcalf, have been murdered by the strikers.

Between thirty and forty of the Mexicans have been killed, and about a hundred wounded.

It is reported that two days ago some Mexican police shot an American saloonkeeper wounding him. No arrests were made at the time, but later Colonel Greene had the perpetrators of the deed imprisoned. This precipitated the disturbance. A number of the miners dynamited a large pawnshop, taking all of the arms and ammunition. The company’s lumber yard was then burned, a property valued at a quarter of a million dollars.

Three carloads of refugees have just arrived from Cananea including Col. Greene. They bring the information that all of the Americans are trying to leave Cananea. The Mexicans are trying to dynamite all of the American houses. A reign of terror exists.

Governor Yzabel is said to be enroute with a division of Federal troops, and is expected to arrive at Naco late tonight or tomorrow morning. The situation is very serious, the lives of hundreds of Americans being threatened.

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(Special to the Star.)

Naco, June 1.-E. E. Edginton, principal of the American schools at Cananea, arrived here tonight on the special train that brought refugees from the inflamed city. Edginton tells a graphic story of the revolution as far as it has progressed, when he left there. He had the following to say:

George Metcalf, head of the development department for the Cananea Consolidated Copper Company, and Will Metcalf are the only Americans who have been killed as far as I could learn. They were shot down by the Mexicans while protecting company property. Between twenty-five and fifty Mexicans have been killed in the fighting.

The large lumber yard of the company has been destroyed, causing a loss of not less than $250,000. It was completely burned this afternoon, the torch being applied by the revolutionists. They were barricading the home of Col. Greene when I left. It is feared that the homes of all the Americans will be dynamited. As fast as possible the women and children are being rushed out of the camp on special trains.

Every American is being armed. They are gathering at the home of Col. Greene and in the Presbyterian church, determined to take a stand to protect their lives and property.

This afternoon the revolutionists dynamited a pawnshop in Cananea and secured a large number of guns. From this I judge that they are not well supplied but have enough to put up a terrible battle against the soldiers or Americans.

The Mexicans attacked the mounted policemen fighting a battle which resulted in the death of a large number of them. General Manager A. S. Dwight was injured by a bullet receiving a scalp wound that is not serious. Five thousand Mexicans are out on a strike. They are very defiant, marching the streets, and only awaiting the appearance of the anarchist flag to attack every Mexican and American in Cananea, who will not join them. They are making threats that they will destroy the entire camp and exterminate every American in it.

There are between 50 and 75 police, and half of them are siding with the revolutionists. Some of them are standing by the Americans, but it is feared that they will not long remain with them if they see that the Mexicans are getting the upper hand.

For the past week or ten days the Mexicans have been holding revolutionary meetings. Late last night a plot to destroy every American residence in Cananea was discovered. Between 2 and 5 o’clock this morning the Americans were all roused, warned to be on their guard. This warning probably saved hundreds from being assassinated in their beds. When the Mexicans found that they had been forestalled they quieted down until later in the day. I fear that many will be killed before the matter ends.

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(Special to the Star.)

Bisbee. June 2, 12:55 a. m.-It was reported here this morning that a special train which left here with rangers to help the miners at Cananea was ambushed just out side of the latter place. The train is reported to have been derailed. Details are lacking.

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El Paso, June 1.-There is a report in circulation here that all the Mexicans employed in the W. C. Greene mines’ in Mexico are on the strike, forty being killed in a riot. The report says that Governor Ysabel, of Sonora, is enroute to the scene with troops and request has been made by him for Federal troops from Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Col. Greene has left and is in Naco, Arizona, now.

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Los Angeles, June 1.-A special to the Times from El Paso tonight says:

Reports from Naco declare that a riot following a strike of the Mexican miners at the Greene consolidated mines at Cananea, ten Mexican policemen were killed together with Geo. Metcalf, manager of the lumber department of the mines and his brother. The entire Cananea police force is wiped out, the Mexicans in control being resisted by American miners and citizens who surrounded the Consolidated property. Thirty strikers are said to be killed. Dispatches declare that the town is on fire, rioters have used dynamite to blow up the houses of Americans.

The situation is regarded as is terribly serious. It is reported that the American consul Galbraith asked Washington, D. C., for protection. Volunteers have been rushed from Bisbee on a special train. Governor Ysabel is on his way to Hermosillo with State troops and General Kosterlitzy is on his way from Magdalena with Rurales. Col. W. C. Greene sent his family to Naco, but remained at the scene. Two thousand Americans in the town of 23,000 inhabitants.

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New Orleans, June 1.-A Picayune special from Bisbee, Arizona, says that news reached here from Cananea, Mexico, that a bloody race war is on at that place. The town is on fire and the streets are strewn with dead and wounded. The Arizona Rangers and a large posse of citizens of Bisbee have just left Bisbee for Cananea. At last accounts the fighting still continues.

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[Photograph added.]