Hellraisers Journal: Colorado Federation of Labor Committee Begins Investigation of Military Outrages in Coalfield Strike Zone

Share

Lt Linderfelt Jesus Christ, Dec 30 1913, Report CO BoL p185, 1914—————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday January 3, 1914
Trinidad, Colorado – State Federation of Labor Committee Begins Investigation

From the Denver United Labor Bulletin of December 27, 1913:

HdLn CO FoL Investigating Com in Strike Zone, ULB p1, Dec 27, 1913

—————

Wednesday December 24, 1913
Trinidad, Colorado – C. F. of L. Investigating Committee Begins Hearings

The Committee established by the recent Convention of the  Colorado Federation of Labor to investigate alleged abuse by the military met in Trinidad yesterday to begin hearings on the matter. Now, Professor Brewster was asked to sit on the committee despite his views on the United Mine Workers which are less than favorable. Yet, the Professor is trusted as an honorable and fair man, willing to listen objectively to the evidence.

General Chase has refused to meet with the committee in spite of the letter from Governor Ammons requiring him to do so. He indicates that, perhaps, he will find the time at a later date to meet with the C. F. of L. Investigating Committee.

The committee heard testimony from Mrs. Maggie Dominske of Ludlow. She described how she was on her way to the Ludlow post office with a group of women when they were stopped by militiamen:

They put up their guns and said, “God damn you, don’t you go another step. If you do,we’ll shoot you. We’re getting tired of these sons-of-bitches coming up here and we’re going to put a stop to it.”

The Professor asked if the women had been on a public road, and Mrs. Dominske replied that, yes indeed, they had been using a public road.  The Professor declared:

I am surprised. Surprised. I wouldn’t have believed it if I had not heard it straight from these women. It is plain they are telling the truth.

We imagine that the good Professor will encounter many more such surprises before the investigation is completed.

—————

Wednesday December 31, 1913
Ludlow, Colorado – Lt Linderfelt declares himself “Jesus Christ”

Yesterday evening, a cavalryman was injured when his horse tripped on a piece of barbed wire. The injured man was brought to the Ludlow depot. A few minutes later Lieutenant Linderfelt appeared and went into a rage. Louie Tikas happened to be at the depot waiting for a train, also at the station was a boy of about fifteen years. Linderfelt focused on that boy, accusing him of setting the wire, and, when the boy denied the charge, began to beat him. Linderfelt next began to berate Louie:

There you are, you round-face son-of-a-bitch. You’re responsible for that wire.

Louie remained calm, but Linderfelt continued to rage. He gave an order to his men:

You Tollerburg fellows beat it over to the colony and cut every God damned wire around the place. The first man that interferes with you-shoot his head off.

Linderfelt then punched Louie in the face as he yelled:

I am Jesus Christ, and my men on horses are Jesus Christs, and we must be obeyed.

Witnesses report that Louie Tikas maintained his usual calm as Linderfelt struck him several more times. The lieutenant than ordered his men to take Louie to the military camp.

—————

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Colorado Federation of Labor Committee Begins Investigation of Military Outrages in Coalfield Strike Zone”

Hellraisers Journal: Miners’ Bulletin: “Earth to Earth, Ashes to Ashes-Fifty Thousand Pay Tribute To Victims Of Great Disaster On Christmas Eve At Calumet”

Share

Quote Mother Jones, Pray for dead, ed, Ab Chp 6, 1925—————

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday December 31, 1913
Calumet, Michigan – Little White Caskets Carried Two Miles to Lakeview Cemetery  

From the Michigan Miners’ Bulletin of December 31, 1913:

WFM MI Miners Bulletin, Dec 31, 1913Ashes to Ashes, Mass Funeral Italian Hall Massacre, MI Mnrs Bltn p1, Dec 31, 1913

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Miners’ Bulletin: “Earth to Earth, Ashes to Ashes-Fifty Thousand Pay Tribute To Victims Of Great Disaster On Christmas Eve At Calumet””

Hellraisers Journal: Sorrow and Grief at Calumet, Michigan, on March to Cemetery: “Little White Caskets Borne by Strong Men”

Share

Quote Mother Jones, Pray for dead, ed, Ab Chp 6, 1925—————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday December 30, 1913
Calumet, Michigan – Mourners Carry Little White Caskets Two Miles to Cemetery

From The Altoona Times (Pennsylvania) of December 29, 1913:

Little White Caskets to Cemetery, Calumet MI, Altoona PA Tx p1, Dec 29, 1913

PATHETIC INCIDENTS BRING TEARS
TO BYSTANDERS EYES
———-
Afflicted Mothers and Fathers Overcome
by Appalling Grief as Cortege Passes
———-

CALUMET, Mich., Dec. 28. -The Western Federation of Miners buried its dead today. Fifty-nine bodies, including those of forty-four children, were carried through the streets down a winding country highway and laid in graves in a snow-enshrouded cemetery within sight of Lake Superior.

Calumet Mass Funeral Miners March to Cemetery with Little White Coffins, Dec 28, 1913, MI Tech Archives

Thousands of saddened miners formed an escort to the funeral parties and passed between other thousands who as spectators testified to the grief that has oppressed the community since seventy-two men, women and children were killed in the Christmas eve panic in Italian hall.

For hours the Sabbath calm was broken by the tolling of bells and the sound of voices intoning burial chants. In half a dozen churches services were held earlier in the day and the mourners went about the streets, passing from their homes to the churches, back to their homes after brief respites and again to the churches to prepare for the last sad trip to the grave sides.

UNION HOSTS ASSEMBLED

Delegations of strikers began coming to Calumet early in the day. The special train of nine coaches brought hundreds of Federationists from the iron mines of Negaunee and Ishpeming and every town and mining location in the copper country sent members and friends of the union to swell the ranks of the marchers in the afternoon.

By noon the union host was assembled. Months of experience in demonstrating their numbers by parading had taught the men to form ranks quickly and with little delay they lined up four abreast.

The supply of hearses was inadequate and there were only fourteen of these vehicles in the van. Then came three undertakers’ wagons and an automobile truck, the latter carrying three coffins. These vehicles contained the adult victims and the older children. Beside one marched eight women, who acted as pall bearers, for members of the Women’s auxiliary of the Western Federation.

It was this woman’s organization which was distributing gifts of candy, shoes, caps and mittens to the children of strikers when the panic broke out.

STRIKERS CARRY COFFINS

Behind the hearses was a section of the procession which brought tears and sobs from onlookers. Thirty-nine white coffins, their size testifying to the short lite of the little forms within, were carried by relays of strikers. Four men bore each coffin, and as their arms grew weary or feet stumbled on the slippery roadway, companions relieved them of their burden.

Persons drawn to Calumet solely by curiosity became mourners as this contingent passed them. Men turned away to brush tears from their cheeks. Women,especially the mothers in the crowd, sobbed openly, and dozens, unable to endure the sight, rushed from the streets, taking refuge in homes whose Yuletide had been directly saddened by death. Others, too, were in evidence among the toil-hardened men who carried the coffins. They bore the bodies of their companions’ children and many a rough sleeve was brushed hurriedly across downturned faces, the eves of which were concealed by peaked caps drawn far forward.

CORTEGE TWO MILES LONG

Fifty singers chanted hymns in the wake of the children carriers. Most of these men were English miners, who had learned in Cornwall to chant Christmas carols in the streets and years ago brought this old custom to the copper country. Today, however, they didn’t sing songs of a new life born. “Jesus Lover of My Soul,” “Rock of Ages” and “Nearer My God to Thee” came from throats thick with emotion. But the harmonies were full and rich.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Sorrow and Grief at Calumet, Michigan, on March to Cemetery: “Little White Caskets Borne by Strong Men””

Hellraisers Journal: Chicago Day Book: Surgeons at St. Luke’s Hospital Remove Bullet From Charles Moyer-Will Recover

Share

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

Hellraisers Journal – Monday December 29, 1913
Chicago, Illinois – W. F. of M. President Charles Moyer Expected to Recover

From The Day Book of December 29, 1913:

HdLn Moyer Surgery, Day Book p1, Dec 29, 1913———-
Moyer in Hospital, Terzich, JHW, Day Book p6, Dec 29, 1913———-
Italian Hall w Thugs In Auto, Day Book p9, Dec 29, 1913———-
Coffins for Italian Hall Victims, Day Book p31, Dec 29, 1913

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Chicago Day Book: Surgeons at St. Luke’s Hospital Remove Bullet From Charles Moyer-Will Recover”

Hellraisers Journal: Miners’ Bulletin: “Harvest of Death, Striking Miner’s Children In Christmas Joys Are Called By The Angel Of Death”-Italian Hall Massacre

Share

Quote Mother Jones, Pray for dead, ed, Ab Chp 6, 1925—————

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday December 28, 1913
Calumet, Michigan – Men, Women and Children Perish in Midst of Christmas Joy

From the Michigan Miners’ Bulletin of December 28, 1913:

MI Miners Bulletin p1, Dec 28, 1913MI Italian Hall Massacre, Mnrs Bltn p1, Dec 28, 1913

In the midst of Christmas good cheer and happiness twenty eight little girls, twenty four little boys, fifteen women and five men were swirled into the cruel jaws of death in less than five minutes at the Italian hall, Calumet, on Christmas eve. The striking miners of Calumet had prepared Christmas exercises and the distribution of presents for the little ones and at the appointed time the hall was filled with the happy little tots accompanied by their parents. The Christmas tree gaily decorated and loaded with presets stood upon the stage of the hall. The program was started by Mrs. Annie Clemenc who was making a talk to the children telling them that old Santa had not forgotten them just because their fathers had been denied work, and that they were all to be made happy by receiving many nice presents, candies, fruits and nuts.

The little ones had crowded near the stage their little faces beaming with delight when a fiend in the shape of a man sneaked up the stairway leading to the hall, opened the door and waving his arm cried “fire, fire,” then quickly making his way to the street where he disappeared in the gathering darkness. At the cry of fire the great throng arose as one and made a dash for the front exit of the hall. The way was made for the children first and they filled the stairway so full and crowded from the rear so fast that some of the children were swept off their feet. These little bodies acted a stumbling blocks for those who followed and within a few seconds the stairway was a mass of bleeding crushed, dead and dying humanity. The crowd from above kept crowding into the stairway until it was completely filled with bodies.

As soon as the cry of fire had been sounded the city fire alarm was bellowing its harrowing warning and the firemen upon arriving at the scene quickly placed ladders to the front windows of the building and ascended to the hall where they stopped any more from crowding into the stairway upon the dead bodies of their comrades. Within a few minutes the hall had been emptied and the work of removing the dead taken up. The bodies were so tightly wedged into the hallway that they could not be released below and had to be taken from above and carried back into the hall. The bodies were taken to a temporary morgue in the city hall where after identification they were sorrowfully removed to their homes.

The scene was one beggaring description and those who witnessed it will never have it effaced from their minds as long as they live. While the front hallway was being crowded and jammed full of men, women and children others were seeking escape at a fire exit in the rear of the hall, many getting out in this manner. Others jumped from windows and in nearly every instance were severely injured, one little boy who jumped had both legs broken.

One little girl who was jammed in the hallway in a dying condition begged one of the rescuers to save her. She grasped his hand, kissed it, then her little head dropped upon her breast and she was dead. One man whose name was not learned got in the hallway and tried to prevent the frenzied crowd from crowding down the stairs upon those below. He placed his arms across the hall way and checked them momentarily but the force behind became too great and he was swept into the vortex of death, his dead body being taken out a few minutes later. Holding high above her head her little child, a woman and her husband were carried into the mass of humanity trying to get out of the hall. This man and his wife were swept to their death but the child miraculously escaped.

The fiend who caused this terrible disaster made his escape and is still at large. From persons who stood near the door it is learned that he was rather stockily built, a little under medium height, and wore his hat well pulled down over his countenance. Upon the lapel of his coat he wore a Citizens Alliance button, is a statement made by several who got a good view of him. How anyone with reasoning power could have deliberately committed the act is beyond comprehension.

President Moyer of the Federation who was in Hancock at the time of the accident hurried to Calumet and assured those afflicted that their wants would be attended to by the organization at whose head he stands. The funerals of the victims will be held at Calumet this afternoon and will be attended by thousands of sorrowing friends and companions of those who, while in life, stood valiantly by their side in the great fight for justice which still holds within it grasp the entire district. The funerals will be held under the auspices of organized Labor, and no funds other than those donated by such organizations will be accepted. Organized labor has made this request and the wishes will be respected in this matter…..

[Emphasis and paragraph breaks added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Miners’ Bulletin: “Harvest of Death, Striking Miner’s Children In Christmas Joys Are Called By The Angel Of Death”-Italian Hall Massacre”

Hellraisers Journal: Moyer Shot, Beaten, Threatened with Lynching and Deported from Michigan by Citizens Alliance

Share

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

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday December 27, 1913
Hancock/Houghton, Michigan – Moyer and Tanner Kidnapped and Deported

Moyer Shot in Back, Mlk Wkly p1, Dec 27, 1913Last night at about 8:30 p.m. Sheriff Cruse and a “committee” paid a visit to the Scott Hotel in Hancock. They went to the room of Charles Moyer, President of the Western Federation of Miners. The “committee” was determined that the leaders of the W. F. of M. should reconsider their refusal to accept any donations from the Citizens’ Alliance to the families of the victims of the Italian Hall Massacre. Mr. Moyer remained adamant that donations from the Citizens’ Alliance amounted to blood money and that the union would bury it’s own dead.

No sooner had this “committee” left the room than a mob burst into the room. They began to beat Moyer and also Charles Tanner who was there with him. A gun was used to beat Moyer over the head which discharged during the assault. Moyer was shot in the shoulder. Moyer and Tanner were dragged out of the Hotel and down the street to the train station in Houghton. At the Houghton-Hancock bridge they were threatened with hanging, and shown a noose brought for that purpose.

The kidnappers put Moyer and Tanner on the Chicago train. Deputy Sheriff Hensley and Deputy McKeever were assigned to accompany the deportees. The deputies wore their Citizens’ Alliance buttons right next to their deputy badges for all to see.

The train stopped briefly in Milwaukee, and reporters were able to get the story from Moyer and Tanner. The reporters also witnessed Moyer’s “pillow and bed linen were soiled with blood from wounds in his scalp and back.”

———-

 From the Chicago Day Book of December 27, 1913, Noon Edition

Moyer Shot Deported fr Keweenaw MI, Day Book p1, Dec 27, 1913

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Moyer Shot, Beaten, Threatened with Lynching and Deported from Michigan by Citizens Alliance”

Hellraisers Journal: From Työmies of Hancock, Michigan: “MURHATTU! lakkoliasten lasten joloujuhlasta tehtün julma kapitalismen uhriteurastus”

Share

Quote Mother Jones, Pray for dead, ed, Ab Chp 6, 1925—————

Hellraisers Journal – Friday December 26, 1913
Strikers’ Children of Calumet Murdered as Sacrificial Slaughter to Capitalism

From Työmies of December 26, 1913:

Calumet MI Strikers Children Muredered, MURHATTU, Tyomies p1, Dec 26, 1913

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From Työmies of Hancock, Michigan: “MURHATTU! lakkoliasten lasten joloujuhlasta tehtün julma kapitalismen uhriteurastus””

Hellraisers Journal: Dozens Killed as False Alarm of Fire Causes Panic at Christmas Party for Michigan Strikers’ Children

Share

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

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday December 25, 1913, Christmas Day
Calumet, Michigan – Christmas Eve Party for Strikers Children Ends in Tragedy 

From The Detroit Free Press of December 25, 1913:

Calumet Italian Hall Stampede, Dtt Free Prs p1, Dec 25, 1913Calumet Italian Hall Stampede 2, Dtt Free Prs p1, Dec 25, 1913

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Dozens Killed as False Alarm of Fire Causes Panic at Christmas Party for Michigan Strikers’ Children”

Hellraisers Journal: Calumet Women’s Auxiliary of the Western Federation of Miners to Hold Christmas Eve Party for Strikers’ Children at Italian Hall

Share

Quote Ellis B Harris Children of the Poor, MI MB p2, Nov 11, 1913—————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday December 23, 1913
Calumet, Michigan – Strikers’ Children Will Receives Gifts at Christmas Eve Party

Christmas Eve Party to be Given
for Strikers’ Children 

Annie Clemenc w Flag, ISR p342, Dec 1913

The Calumet Women’s Auxiliary of the Western Federation of Miners will hold a Christmas party for the children of the strikers on Christmas Eve. The party will be held in the Italian Hall in Red Jacket. Annie Clemenc, president of #15, has taken the lead in planning for the event, and she has been energetic in raising money for gifts for the children. For many of the striker’s children, these will be their only Christmas presents. The children will receive candy, hats, mittens, and even a few toys.

The children’s party will begin at 2 p. m. There will be a party later in the evening for the adults.

The Calumet Women’s Auxiliary was organize in September, and each member is a card-carrying member of the Western Federation of Miners, but, sadly a member without a vote. And yet these women make their voices heard, marching in the parades, facing the deputies, the Waddell men, the militiamen, and going to jail right along side their striking husbands, fathers, and brothers.

Annie is well known for leading the daily early-morning parades with her massive American flag.

—————

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Calumet Women’s Auxiliary of the Western Federation of Miners to Hold Christmas Eve Party for Strikers’ Children at Italian Hall”