Iron bars and prison walls will not intimidate or swerve me from my duty
toward my fellow men in their struggle for industrial democracy.
-John R. Lawson
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Sunday October 17, 1915
From Las Animas County Jail, John R Lawson Expresses Gratitude to Hometown
John R. Lawson is now back home in Denver, having been granted bail late on October 7th by the Colorado Supreme Court. On October 6th, while still a prisoner in the filthy Las Animas County Jail in Trinidad, Colorado, Lawson wrote a letter to Ex-Judge L. S. Walter of Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania. The letter was published in the
Mount Carmel Item and expresses Lawson gratitude for the "message of encouragement" sent to him in the form of a resolution passed by his friends and former neighbors at the Lawson Mass Meeting held in Mount Carmel on September 24th.
From the Mount Carmel Item
of October 12, 1915:
LAWSON EXPRESSES GRATITUDE
-----
Ex-Judge L. S. Walter has received the following letter from former townsman' John R. Lawson dated at Trinidad, Colorado, acknowledging receipt of letter enclosing a copy of the resolutions adopted at the big Lawson mass meeting on September 24th:
Las Animas County Jail.
Trinidad, Colorado,
October 6, 1915
Mr. Lincoln S. Walter,
Mount Carmel, Pa.
My dear Sir:
Your most welcome letter, dated Mount Carmel, September 27, 1915 with resolution adopted by mass meeting enclosed, has been received.
Permit me to express my heart felt appreciation for the splendid declaration of confidence in my innocence and faith in my integrity in this hour of bitter persecution. This message of encouragement, coming as it dos from friends I have loved during and since my boyhood, from former neighbors and towns people of Mount Carmel and surrounding communities makes it a priceless gift, which will be cherished and preserved through life as a token of love and esteem. Realizing as I must that it is not John Lawson the man, but something far greater than any individual, so far reaching that it is bigger than the labor movement itself. The real issue is Justice, the foundation of God's Throne, effecting as it does every man, woman and child in our generous country.
I shall not touch on the merits of my case at this time, as it has been given wide publicity, except to state that I am most optimistic as to the final outcome, conscious that I have broken no law and committed no crime. I feel confident that I shall eventually receive justice and a complete vindication.
The great work, the uplift of humanity will go forward with increase momentum. Iron bars and prison walls will not intimidate or swerve me from my duty toward my fellow men in their struggle for industrial democracy. My sincere hope is that God will give me the necessary strength and courage to endure like a Christian the acts of tyranny aimed against my life and liberty by the oppressors of Labor, to merit the confidence reposed in me by so many good and true friends and to humbly bear the added burdens of responsibility that are still to come in life.
I am, with best wishes,
Yours very truly.
John R Lawson
4652 York St.,
Denver, Colorado
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Below the fold our readers can find further reporting on the Hero of Ludlow, John R. Lawson, and more news regarding the persecution of the former striking miners by the State of Colorado in the service of the coal operators.
From The Indianapolis Star of October 8, 1915:
COURT ADMITS LAWSON TO BAIL
-----
Mine Leader, Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
for Death of Deputy Sheriff,
Will Be Released Today.
-----
ROCKEFELLER IS GRATIFIED
-----
Owner of Colorado Company Glad of Step
to Dispose of Case and Restore
Friendly Feeling in District.
-----
DENVER, Col., Oct, 7,-The Colorado Supreme Court late today admitted John R. Lawson to bail in the sum of $35,000. Lawson was convicted of first degree murder in connection with strike disorders. Lawson was sentenced to life imprisonment on a charge of murdering John Nimmo, a deputy sheriff [deputized company gunthug] killed in a riot [strikers defending the tent colony from attack] near Ludlow in October, 1913. The Supreme Court several weeks ago granted a supersedeas and writ of error.
Horace N. Hawkins, chief counsel for Lawson, stated that bail would be provided immediately and that Lawson probably would be released at Trinidad tomorrow. Mr. Hawkins declined to comment on the ruling of the court.
John D. Rockefeller Jr., when informed of the action of the Supreme Court, dictated the following statement:
Rockefeller Gratified.
Mr. Rockefeller is gratified to hear of any step looking toward an early disposition of this and the other cases which have so long been pending and which until disposed of will necessarily continue to be a constant cause of irritation standing in the way of that complete restoration of friendly feeling and industrial peace which the citizens not only of this state but of the entire country so earnestly desire.
Lawson was one of the most prominent union leaders in the coal miners' strike of 1913-14. It was in one of the battles between strikers and deputies [deputized company gunthugs] near Ludlow before the arrival of the National Guard that Nimmo was killed.
Lawson's trial started April 21, 1915. The state offered evidence regarding the beginning of the battle in an effort to show that it had been started by strikers, Lawson himself was a principal witness. The jury returned its verdict May 3.
New Trial Denied.
A motion for a new trial was denied July 12 by Judge Granby Hillyer. The Supreme Court Aug. 17 granted a writ of error, and a supersedeas, and issued a writ of prohibition barring Judge Hillyer from presiding at future strike trials. It was charged that Hillyer had been an attorney for the coal interests of southern Colorado.
One outgrowth of the Lawson case was the filing of an information by Attorney General Fred Farrar against Horace N. Hawkins and Fred Clark, attorneys for Lawson, charging them with subornation of perjury in connection with an affidavit used in the motion for a new trial.
-----
[Photograph added.]
From The Topeka Daily Capital
of October 10, 1915:
JOHN R. LAWSON RETURNS HOME;
GOING BACK TO WORK
-----
Denver, Colo., Oct. 9.-John R. Lawson, member of the international executive board of the United Mine Workers of America for district No. 15, arrived home here today after his release on bond last night from the Trinidad jail. Lawson said he was "going back to work" at the Denver headquarters of the United Mine Workers.
-----
From Trinidad we have learned that the bond was delivered by the President of the Colorado Federation of Labor, John McLellan. Lawson's first act of freedom was to call his wife, Olive whom, along with his daughter, Fern, he has not seen for many weeks.
Before leaving the jail he made the rounds to say good-bye to the miners who remain locked behind the iron bars. They shouted to him: "So long, John. We're sorry to see you go but we hope to hell you never comeback to this hole."
Lawson replied: "Don't worry boys, you'll be out of here before very long."
At the Denver station, Lawson was met by his wife who told reporters: "I'm the happiest women in the world."
From The Labor World of October 17, 1915:
COLORADO WILL TRY 1,000 MINERS
-----
Governor Carlson, Friend of Mine Owners
Finally Decides to Press Cases
-----
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER FAVORED DISMISSAL
-----
But Vindictive Executive Stubbornly Refused
to Permit Indictments to Be Quashed.
-----
DENVER, Oct. 14.-The more than 1,000 persons made defendants in cases growing out of the recent coal strike in Colorado must go to trial. Governor George A. Carlson, after several hours' deliberation today, refused to interfere in the prosecutions. This decision was the culmination of a series of conferences between Governor Carlson, labor leaders, State officials, and prominent citizens of the State. Among those who were said to have favored dismissal was John D. Rockefeller Jr., now in Colorado on a tour of investigation of the various mining camps of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company.
He Lost No Time.
The decision of Governor Carlson came only a few hours after the announcement of the action of the Supreme Court, ordering the release on bail of John R. Lawson, labor leader, who has been confined in a Trinidad jail since his conviction several months ago of first degree murder, in connection with strike disorders.
Approximately seventy-five criminal and civil suits were filed, and more than 1,000 persons were made defendants, as a result of the recent Colorado coal strike.
Of the civil suits the case of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Co. against the United Mine Workers of America, charging conspiracy in restraint of trade, and asking damages in the sum of $1,000,000, was the most prominent. Of the criminal cases, that of John R. Lawson was the most noteworthy.
Reviewing the history of cases, growing out of the strike, and their present status, the Governor says:
Governor Is Merciless.
I do not feel that I can now order the annulment of these prosecutions. Considerations, of so-called peace, mercy, and business have been urged as a justification for the actions which it was hoped I would take.
The only question for me to decide was whether or not those who were legally charged with crime should be turned loose without trial the extra-legal reasons urged. It has been asserted that such a course would put an end to the agitation that is going on in certain quarters, and leave this State in a more peaceful condition. Granting such a result would follow, it is in effect to say that a group of persons can commit a crime and receive immunity if they raise sufficient agitation to disturb our peace of mind. I do not believe your citizens are willing to purchase mental peace at such a price.
In my opinion, capital will never invest in this State until it is demonstrated that attacks upon life and property will not be tolerated.
[Photograph added.]
~~~~~~~~~~
SOURCES
Out of the depths:
the story of John R. Lawson, a labor leader
-by Barron B. Beshoar
(First Edition: April 1942)
Denver Area Labor Federation, 1980
https://books.google.com/...
Mount Carmel Item
(Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania)
-Oct 12, 1915
https://www.newspapers.com/...
The Indianapolis Star
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
-Oct 8, 1915
https://www.newspapers.com/...
The Topeka Daily Capital
(Topeka , Kansas)
-Oct 10, 1915
https://www.newspapers.com/...
The Labor World
(Duluth, Minnesota)
-Oct 17, 1915
http://www.newspapers.com/...
IMAGES
John R Lawson, 1915
http://www.loc.gov/...
John Lawson Denied New Trial,
Coshocton Morn Trb, OH, July 14, 1915
http://www.newspapers.com/...
John Lawson with Olive and Fern from Day Book
of April 23, 1915, Last Edition
http://www.newspapers.com/...
Alfred A Carlson, Republican Governor of Colorado,
1915-1917
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
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Hold the Fort-One of Labor's Oldest Songs
We meet today in Freedom's cause,
And raise our voices high;
We'll join our hands in union strong,
To battle or to die.
Chorus:
Hold the fort for we are coming-
Union men, be strong.
Side by side we battle onward,
Victory will come.
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