Hellraisers Journal: General Bell Blames Socialist and W. F. of M. for All Troubles in Colorado

(4 pm. – promoted by ek hornbeck)

You ought to be out raising hell. This is the fighting age. Put on your fighting clothes.

-Mother Jones

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Monday June 13, 1904

From The Indianapolis News: More Union Miners Deported from Cripple Creek District

Cripple Creek Deportations June 1914

BELL SAYS SOCIALISTS ARE CAUSE OF TROUBLES

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SAYS HE WILL DRIVE FEDERATION FROM GOLD CAMP.

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THE ONLY HOPE FOR PEACE

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CRIPPLE CREEK, June 13.-Gen. Sherman Bell has given out a statement concerning his action in deporting strikers and the causes leading up to the same. He attributes the recent troubles growing out of the miners’ strike, and the strike itself to the Socialist element in the Western Federation of Miners, which, he says, captured the organization two years ago. He declares that the federation has made unionism a secondary consideration, and the organization, root and branch, is being made a vehicle for the promotion of socialism. The leaders, he asserts, have not hesitated to cause “weak and willing members to commit any crime to strike terror to property owners or working men who refuse to abide their dictates.” The murder of non-union men by blowing up the Independence station, he charges, was “perpetrated with the aid and advice of federation leaders and by men in their employ.” The only hope for peace and security of life and property was “to exterminate the federation from the camp.”

General Bell and staff attended church yesterday and transacted no business, except what was absolutely necessary. Another party of 100 deported miners left Victor to-day, their destination being either New Mexico or Utah. The saloons of the district were opened to-day for the first time in a week.

Practically all the large mines in this district which closed down last Monday, after the explosion at Independence, were working to-day. The Portland mine has not yet been reopened and the company has not announced its plans.

[emphasis added]

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An Appeal to Gompers.

KANSAS CITY. June 13.-The Industrial Council of this city, which claims to represent 25,000 union members, adopted resolutions [yesterday] asking President Gompers, of the American Federation of Labor, to call a meeting of the executive board of that  organization for the purpose of devising means to settle the Colorado labor troubles. Telegrams were sent to President Roosevelt asking him to investigate and to Governor Peabody, condemning his actions by the orders of the Industrial Council. Mother Jones addressed the meeting.

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Miners Remain at Holly.

HOLLY, Colo., June 13.-Ten of the deported miners from Cripple Creek left here at midnight Saturday for La Junta, Pueblo and Denver. The remainder are staying in town. They have paid cash for their meals and lodging and made purchases at stores. It is probable that a considerable number of the exiles will go into the country to seek work on the ranches.

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Today’s edition of the St. Louis Republic reports that Mother Jones addressed the Kansas City, Missouri, Industrial Council yesterday, and that the following telegram was sent to Governor Peabody of Colorado:

The Industrial Council of Kansas City, Mo., in regular session assembled, condemns your action as unamerican, uncivilized and barbarous in the extreme, in your treatment toward workingmen and women of Colorado. For such acts Russia, in her darkest ages, would blush with shame.

Western Federation of Miners Button

The Western Federation of Miners has issued a strong statement denying any involvement in the horrific Independence Explosion, for which, without any proof whatsoever, their members are being persecuted. The statement ends:

We are unfortunately forced to abide by the acts of an unbridled military despotism that is driving our members from pillar to post. Their fortitude under these circumstances is the marvel of the age and shows the Western Federation of Miners is composed of the highest type of American citizenship.

Our attitude is fully expressed by the following telegram:

Honorable Theodore Roosevelt,

President of the United States,

Washington, D. C.:

A duty devolves upon you as president of the United States to investigate the terrible crimes that are being perpetrated in Colorado in the name of law and order. We will render every possible assistance to the proper authorities in such investigation, to the end that the people of the country might realize the outrages that are being inflicted on innocent persons by those in temporary official power.

                                                                                    (signed)

                                                                                    W. D. HAYWOOD

                                                                                    Secretary.

SOURCES

The Indianapolis News

(Indianapolis, Indiana)

-of June 13, 1904

The St. Louis Republic

(St. Louis, Missouri)

-of June 13, 1904

http://chroniclingamerica.loc….

Deseret Evening News

(Salt Lake City, Utah)

-of June 13, 1904

http://chroniclingamerica.loc….

IMAGES

1). Striking Union Miners Being Deported from Cripple Creek District

http://www.rebelgraphics.org/w…

2). WFM Button

http://www.nps.gov/kewe/histor…

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They’ll Never Keep Us Down-Hazel Dickens

[The power wheel is rolling, rolling right along

And the government helps keep it going, going strong

So working people get your help from your own kind

Cause your welfare ain’t on the rich man’s mind

Your welfare ain’t on the rich man’s mind

Your welfare ain’t on the rich man’s mind

They want the power in their hands

Just to keep down the workers and

Your welfare aint’ on the rich man’s mind


                  -Hazel Dickenshttp://riseupsinging.wordpress.com/]

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