You ought to be out raising hell. This is the fighting age. Put on your fighting clothes.
-Mother Jones
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Friday June 17, 1904
From The Topeka Daily Capital: President Moyer to be Brought to Cripple Creek
Charles Moyer, President
Western Federation of Miners
ARRESTED ON A NEW CHARGE
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Moyer Must Answer For Vindicator Affair.
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HIS HABEAS CORPUS SUIT
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Governor Peabody says He Will Answer Judge Thayer's Order-
Moyer Not Ready to Call Off Colorado Strike.
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Cripple Creek, June 16.-Assistant District Attorney S. D. Crump today wired Sheriff Rutan at Telluride to hold Charles H. Moyer, president of the Western Federation of Miners, until K. C. Sterling, a secret service agent of the Mine Owners' association, can bring him to Cripple Creek. Sterling left this afternoon for Telluride. Moyer will be brought here on a warrant issued by Justice of the Peace S. H. Patrick, charging him with aiding and abetting the murder of Charles McCormick and Melvin Beck, who were blown up in the Vindicator mine by an infernal machine explosion November 1, 1903.
The warrant implicates Charles G. Kennison, former president of Miners' union No. 40, who was arrested in Denver last Monday; Sherman Parker, Steve Adams, W. B. Easterly and a number of others not yet under arrest.
Telluride, June 16.- President Moyer was asked today whether present conditions throughout the strike district of the state did not make it advisable for the Western Federation of Miner's to call off all the strikes.
"I have no opinion to express upon that or any other question concerning Colorado strike and labor troubles." was his reply. "I have not been in touch with the Federation affairs since my detention here and do not know what the sentiment is among the membership, nor what action the organization is inclined to take in the matter. However, it all lies with the Federation and that body is fully able to handle the matter with discretion and to the best advantage."
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DAMAGE SUITS NOW.
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Portland Mine and Moyer Will Sue Peabody.
Denver, Colo., June 16.-Former Governor Quartz Thomas, it is announced, is preparing in behalf of James F. Burns, president and manager of the Portland mine, a damage suit which Burns will bring against Governor James H. Peabody, Adjutant General Sherman M. Bell and the state of Colorado for $100,000 for the closing of the Portland mine by the military.
Attorneys Richardson & Hawkins', acting for Charles H. Moyer, president of the Western Federation of Miners are drafting papers in a $50,000 damage suit which Moyer is to file against Governor Peabody, Adjutant General Bell and the state of Colorado. Moyer's action is based on false and illegal imprisonment by the military authorities acting under the proclamation of marital law in San Miguel county.
Relating to the order of Judge Amos M. Thayer for the production of Moyer before the United States circuit court of appeals at St. Louis, July 5, Governor Peabody said today:
I shall certainly answer the order of Judge Thayer. The form of the answer I have left to Attorney General Miller. Whether it will necessitate my appearance in person I do not know. My opinion is, however, that when the court is advised of the fact that before I had any knowledge of the existence of the procedure in the United States court I had turned Moyer over to the civil authorities, the judge will accept my answer as fully covering all legal requirements and ending the proceedings. Should the court hold otherwise, of course as a law-abiding citizen, I shall follow such directions as the court may give.
[photograph added]
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MILITARY FORBIDS AID TO FAMILIES OF DEPORTED MINERS
We have received the following report from Mrs. Emma Langdon of Victor, Colorado:
VICIOUS VERDECKBERG.
The following order which was sent to Secretary-Treasurer Haywood, is self-explanatory. It puts Colonel Verdeckberg exactly where he belongs-in the rank of the beast and the brute. Needless to say the suffering miners' families were well supplied with relief by the Western Federation of Miners.
Headquarters Teller County Military District,
National Guard of Colorado.
Victor, Colorado, June 15, 1904.
Wm. D. Haywood, Secretary and Treasurer,
Western Federation of Miners,
Denver, Colorado.
Dear Sir:-The enclosed order is for your guidance and information.
I have the honor to remain,
Very respectfully yours,
(Signed)
EDW. VERDECKBERG,
Colonel First Infantry, N. G. C.
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Headquarters Teller County Military District,
National Guard of Colorado
Victor, Colorado, June 14, 1904
SPECIAL ORDER NO. 19.
No organization will be allowed, while this county is under military control, to furnish aid in any form to the members of any organization or their families in this county, unless the same is done through military channels. Major Thos. E. McClelland is Provost Marshal of this military district and he stands ready to receive from any person or organization any money or other supplies which are for distribution to any person rendered needy by reason of the military occupation of this county for the suppression of insurrection, and all money and other supplies so furnished will be applied to the relief of the persons above referred to.
(Signed)
EDW. VERDECKBERG.
Colonel First Infantry, First Brigade, N. G. C.
Commanding Teller County Military District in the absence of
Brigadier General Sherman M. Bell.
The cause for the above order is due to the fact that after the union grocery stores in the district were closed by the military, the Western Federation of Miners, through its officials in Denver, made arrangements with the grocery house of John Kettelsen in Victor to furnish supplies to the destitute or needy families of miners' union members who were deported form the district.
Mrs. Langdon further reports that shortly before Verdeckberg's order was issued, $1000 was received in Victor for the aid of the miners' families, and that the Federation was unwilling to hand over such a large amount to the military. Willing hands have been found to distribute this large donation without any concern whatsoever for any military permits. The women of the district have taken this task upon themselves and are working secretly, risking the anger of the military should they be caught.
Mrs. Langdon states that military guards at the bullpen have "openly boasted of eating the most delicate viands prepared and carried to the military prison by the loving mothers, wives and sisters" of the imprisoned miners.
Concern for the families of the deported miners does not seem to be on the minds of the Colorado National Guard. The Mine Owners' Association and Governor Peabody do not want to incur the public outrage that would follow the deportations of women and children and, therefore, the plan appears to be to starve them out of the Cripple Creek District.
Mrs. Langdon also sent the following which appeared yesterday in the Denver press:
Two women were brought before the military board last evening. Mrs. Margaret M. Hooten of Anaconda and Mrs. Estella Nichols of Cripple Creek. These women had been distributing supplies to union families and were warned that this would not be tolerated in the future. They were released after promising that they would cease helping the families of the deported miners.
J. W. Ganley and J. W. Kettleson, grocers of Cripple Creek and Victor, were also brought before the military board and instructed not to sell any more groceries on Western Federation orders. These grocers had been honoring such orders when presented by the wives of deported miners. It was decide that henceforth all supplies must pass through the hands of Thomas McClelland, provost marshal of the camp.
Here is a situation that should appeal not only to every individual mother of the state, but to the woman's clubs and the other woman's organizations. It is inconceivable that such brutalities should go unrebuked by Colorado's brave but tender women, however the hearts of Colorado men may be steeled to the cruel wrongs done to their helpless sisters.
SOURCES
The Topeka Daily Capital
(Topeka, Kansas)
-of June 17, 1904
http://www.newspapers.com/...
The Cripple Creek Strike
-by Emma F Langdon
(Part I, 1st pub 1904)
NY, 1969
http://www.rebelgraphics.org/...
IMAGES
1). Charles Moyer
http://www.rebelgraphics.org/...
2). Cripple Strike of 1903-04, Deportations
http://www.rebelgraphics.org/...
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Il trovatore - Anvil chorus
Liberty Forever
We broke the yoke of a pitiless class,
And we burst asunder our bonds and chains;
Our organization will win when it strikes,
And no more shall a King or a crown remain
United fast are we with bonds that naught can sever;
Long, loud and clear and far our battle cry rings ever
Liberty for aye and aye!
Liberty forever!
Liberty forever!
Shall be our battle cry.
-Joe Hill
First appeared in 7th ed. of Little Red Songbook, June 1914
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