Hellraisers Journal – Thursday June 16, 1904 Cripple Creek District, Colorado – W. F. M. Blamed for Independence Depot Explosion
Tuesday June 7, 1904 – Independence, Colorado -Bomb Explodes at Railroad Depot; W. F. of M. Accused and Attacked
Mrs. Emma Langdon Reports from Victor, Colorado:
At about 3 o’clock on the morning of June 6, a mine of dynamite was exploded by means of an infernal machine, place underneath the station platform at Independence and thirteen men were instantly blown to fragments and many other mutilated…
[Emphasis added.]
Mrs. Langdon reports that the Citizens’ Alliance placed the blame, without any proof whatsoever, upon the Western Federation of Miners. The militia, apparently, agrees. Union halls have been raided, and union men killed.
From The San Francisco Call of June 7, 1904:
ANARCHY RUNS RIOT IN COLORADO; DAY’S VICTIMS NUMBER TWENTY-TWO ——————–
Anarchy ran riot in the Cripple Creek district of Colorado yesterday. At Findley dynamite under the railroad station platform was touched off by means of a revolver so placed with a wire connection that it could be fired from a distance. The platform was crowded with non-union miners at the time. Thirteen of these men were killed and others were shockingly mangled. Then followed a succession of street riots in Victor, resulting in numerous casualties, and a charge of soldiers upon the headquarters of the miners union. Volleys were fired into the building and at least seven men were killed. At an early hour this morning the rioting had not been checked, and shooting affrays were occurring constantly.
Scene of Cripple Creek’s Labor Disturbances, Colorado Executive Who Sent Troops to Enforce the Law and Head of the Municipal Governing Body of Victor, Where Clashes Between the State’s Soldiers and Rioters Are Continuous.
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