CONTENTS

Preface

PART I — THE STRIKE OF 1894

CHAPTER I — PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS
Introduction

Cripple Creek — Location, geology, settlement — General economic conditions in 1894 — Conditions in Colorado and Cripple Creek in 1894

Indirect Causes Of The Strike

Uncertain business conditions — Irregularities in employment of labor

Events Leading Up To The Strike

CHAPTER II - THE TWO CRISES
The First Crisis

Attempts at a compromise — The lockout Feb. 1st, 1894 — The strike Feb. 7th — John Calderwood — Preparation by the unions — The injunction of March 14th — Capture of the deputies — Sheriff Bowers calls for militia — Beginning of friction between state and county — Conference between the generals and union officers — Recall of the militia — Compromise at the Independence

The Second Crisis

Coming of the rough element — The coup of Wm. Rabedeau — The demands and terms of the owners — Formation of the deputy army — "General" Johnson — Preparation of the miners for resistance — First detachment of deputy army — The blowing up of the Strong mine — The miners attack the deputies — Excitement in Colorado Springs — Rapid increase of deputy army — The governor's proclamation

CHAPTER III — THE FORCING OF THE ISSUE
Attempts At Arbitration

Conservative movement in Colorado Springs — The non-partisan committee — The miners propose terms of peace — Failure of the arbitration committee plan — Exchange of prisoners — The mission of Governor Waite — Miners give governor full power to act — The conference at Colorado College — Attempt to lynch Calderwood — The final conference in Denver — Articles of agreement

Militia vs. Deputies

The deputies march on Bull Hill — Call of the state militia — The question of authority — The clash in Grassey Valley — Military finally in control — Movements of the deputies — Conference in Altman — Withdrawal of deputies

The Restoration Of Order

Turbulent conditions in Cripple Creek — Attempts upon life of sheriff — Plan for vengeance in Colorado Springs — The attack upon General Tarsney — Arrests and trials of the strikers

CHAPTER IV-DISCUSSIONS
Peculiarities Of The Strike

The union allows men to work — Exchange of prisoners — Unusual influence of state authority

Arguments Of The Various Parties

The position of the mine owners — The position of the miners — The position of the governor

The Baleful Influence Of Politics

PART II—THE STRIKE OF 1903—1904

CHAPTER I—THE INTERVENING PERIOD
General Development

Increase in population and wealth — Industrial advance — Removal of frontier conditions — Entire dependence upon mining — The working force

The Background For The Strike

Divisioning of El Paso county — Growth of unions in political power — Western Federation becomes socialistic

The Situation Immediately Preceding The Strike

Unions misuse power — Treatment of non-union men — Minority rule — The strike power delegated

CHAPTER II—THE COLORADO CITY STRIKE
The Colorado City Strike

Formation of union — Opposition of Manager MacNeill — Presentation of grievances — The strike deputies and strikers — Manager MacNeill secures call of state militia

Partial Settlement By Arbitration

The Cripple Creek mines requested to cease shipments to Colorado City — The governor visits Colorado City — Conference at Denver — Settlement with Portland and Telluride Mills — Failure of second conference with Manager MacNeill

The Temporary Strike At Cripple Creek

Ore to be shut off from Standard Mill — The strike called — Advisory board — Its sessions — Further conferences — Settlement by verbal agreement

CHAPTER III — THE CRIPPLE CREEK STRIKE
The Call Of The Strike

Dispute over Colorado City agreement — Appeal of the union — Statements submitted by both sides — Decision of advisory board — Second strike at Colorado City — Strike at Cripple Creek

The First Period Of The Strike

Events of the first three weeks — Disorderly acts on September 1st — Release of Minster — Mine owners demand troops

The Militia In The District

The governor holds conferences with mine owners — The special commission — Troops called out — Militia arrest union officers — Other arrests — General partisan activity of the troops

Civil, vs. Military Authority

Habeas corpus proceedings — Militia guard court house — Judge Seeds' decision — The militia defy the court — Prisoners released — Rapid opening of the mines — Strike breakers

CHAPTER IV-TELLER COUNTY UNDER MILITARY RULE
Attempted Train Wrecking And Vindicator Explosion

Attempts to wreck F. & C. C. R. R. trains — McKinney and Foster arrested — McKinney makes conflicting confessions — Trial of Davis, Parker, and Foster — Digest of evidence — Release of McKinney — The Vindicator explosion — Evidence in case

A State Of Insurrection And Rebellion

The governor's proclamation — The power conferred as interpreted by militia officers — Local police deposed — Censorship of Victor Record — Registering of arms — Idle men declared vagrants — More general arrests of union officers — Habeas corpus suspended in case Victor Poole — Rowdyism by certain militiamen — Mine owners' statement — Federation flag posters — Withdrawal of troops

CHAPTER V—THE FINAL CRISIS
The Slxth Day Of June

Independence station explosion — Wrath of the community — Sheriff forced to resign — Bodies taken from undertaker — Mass meeting at Victor — The Victor riot — Militia capture miners'' union hall — Wholesale arrests of union men — Riot in Cripple Creek — Meeting of Mine Owners' Association and Citizens Alliance — The federation to be broken up

The Annihilation Of The Unions

Teller County again under military rule — Plant of Victor Record wrecked — Forced resignation of large number of county and municipal officials — The military commission — Deportations — Militia close the Portland mine — Aid to families forbidden — District entirely non-union — Withdrawal of troops

The Period Immediately Following

Mob deportations — The Interstate Mercantile Company — Second wrecking of the stores — The November elections — The expense of the strike — Summary

CHAPTER VI—DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
The Western Federation Of Miners. Its Side Of The Case

History of the federation — Its socialistic tendencies — Sympathetic statement of its position

The Mine Owners' Association. Its Side Of The Case

History of the organization — The card system — Sympathetic view of its position

The Citizens Alliances. Their Side Of The Case

History of the alliances — Sympathetic view of their position

The State Authorities

Statement by Governor Peabody

The Responsibility And Blame — The Western Federation Of Miners

Cause of strike — Crimes of the strike

Mine Owners' Association

Criminal guards — Mob violence

The State Authorities

Use of troops — Perversion of authority

Arraignment Of Each Side By The Other

The "Red Book" — The "Green Book."

Comparison Of The Two Strikes

The first natural, the second artificial — Frontier conditions vs. complete industrial development — Contrasts in the use of state authority — Civil and military authority — Politics — Minority rule

Significance Of The Labor History

Bibliography

The Labor History of the Cripple Creek District;
A Study in Industrial Evolution
by Benjamin McKie Rastall

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pages 45-49

Militia vs. Deputies

Next day the entire state militia was called out under orders to go with all possible dispatch to the Cripple Creek District and preserve the peace.6 More specific directions were given to General Brooks, in command, by the governor. He was to place his force between the miners and deputies, and prevent a clash between them by every possible means. The disbandment of the deputy army was to be secured at the earliest possible moment. Protection was to be afforded to the sheriff and to the mine owners, but armed bodies of deputies were to be prevented from making arrests, or from occupying the mines.7

Militia and prisoners marching down street in Cripple Creek

MILITARY PRISONERS UNDER HEAVY GUARD

At Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek it was felt that the trouble was over, and there was great rejoicing. The mine owners were rapidly signifying their intention of accepting the agreement, and the miners had sent out word that they would stand by the governor's action, and that they would not resist the militia. But the deputies had yet to be reckoned with. On the night of the 6th they broke camp, and cutting all telegraph and telephone lines, and imprisoning all newspaper reporters, they advanced toward Bull Hill. Morning found them camped in Beaver Park, about three miles from Altman, and in full view of the miners' camp. A small skirmish took place just after day-break. Some of the deputies' horses strayed beyond the picket line, and a squad was sent out to bring them in. The men ran into the picket line of the miners and a lively exchange of shots took place, in which no one was injured.

The militia arrived early in the afternoon, and following their orders, went into camp between the deputies and miners. Later in the afternoon Generals Brooks and Tarsney held a conference with the leaders of the deputies, in which a great deal of friction was created by the question whether the militia or the county officials were higher in authority. Both sides claimed the right to command and be assisted, and there was cause for much anxiety as to what would happen on the morrow.

Early next morning the deputy camp was in motion. The men were formed into line, divided into several detachments, and started off in as many directions. General Brooks kept watch of the movement, and when it became evident from their line of march that the detachments were all headed for Bull Hill, he sent for Sheriff Bowers, inquiring what he intended to do.

From the miners' camp on the hill the movements were being watched closely. As the long lines of men swung out in the valley below and took up their march forward, the alarm whistle at the Victor mine gave forth its warning blasts, and in a few moments the hillsides were dotted with men hurrying in to headquarters. Fifteen minutes saw the ranks complete, and "General" Johnson issuing orders that were to give the deputies a warm reception.

The miners had no cannon, as has been generally supposed, but they had a weapon even more deadly at close range in the shape of a huge bow-gun. This weapon was a home-made affair, and could throw to the foot of the hill. Its missiles were beer bottles filled with dynamite. It would work terrible execution when the deputies attempted the steep climb for the summit. Different points on the hill were mined, and connected with electric wires to explode at the pressing of a button. Every man was well armed, and with a belt or pocket full of cartridges. In the upper left vest pocket of each were five dynamite cartridges the size of pencils. These were fitted with percussion caps and were to be thrown at close quarters as the deputies came up the steep incline. Every advantage was taken of the natural strength of the place in distributing the men. Altogether Bull Hill was an extremely hazardous place to attack.

In the valley below General Brooks had not waited for an answer from his message to the sheriff. The buglers called the troops to arms, and having formed quickly they went off at double quick after the ranks of the deputies. General Brooks rode rapidly on ahead. Coming up with the sheriff a quick dispute ensued. The general inquired what was the meaning of this movement. Sheriff Bowers replied that he was sending squads of men to guard the roads leading from Bull Hill to prevent the escape of men for whom he had warrants, and that he was going on the hill with another squad to make arrests.8 General Brooks replied that he was under orders to prevent armed bodies of deputies from attempting to make arrests, and that they must return to their camp. The sheriff insisted that he should proceed. General Brooks asserted that he must carry out his orders, and would be compelled to fire upon the deputies unless they ceased their march immediately. Sheriff Bowers held a conference with some of his men, and seeing that the general was determined, gave orders for the deputies to return to their camp.

The militia continued on their march, and entered Altman shortly after noon. Upon seeing the deputies turn back, the miners had dispersed again, and following their repeated statements to that effect received the militia without any show of resistance. That night the militia occupied the miners' camp.

Governor "Waite had all along maintained that the deputy army was illegally assembled, and General Brooks had been ordered to secure its disbandment. Even with Bull Hill in the hands of the militia, and the miners' army dispersed, the deputies refused to disband. Under the leadership of Deputy Bob Mullins they marched next morning to Cripple Creek, and passing through the city arrested everybody who in any way met with their disapproval. Then they took up the line of march to the Independence mine, and went into camp around it. General Brooks met the deputies on the way to the Independence, and again demanded that they disperse, but was met with a blunt refusal.

General Brooks had been in constant communication with the governor all day. In the morning he telegraphed that the sheriff had reported the deputies to be beyond his control. Later in the day he sent the following telegram: "Situation critical. Sheriff persists in quartering his entire force at Independence mine. Says he does so at request of owner. There is in my judgment but one solution martial law. General Tarsney indorses this opinion. (Signed) Brooks." To this the governor replied that his orders must be carried out at all hazards. "If the deputies resist your authority I will call out the unorganized militia to suppress their insurrection."9 That meant that every able-bodied man between eighteen and forty-five might be called out, and that the controversy would assume proportions which would make the miners' affair seem small indeed.10

Fortunately, before any further action had been taken, a conference was held at Altman between mine owners, militia officers, and county officials. There were present Sheriff Bowers and County Commissioner Boynton, W. S. Stratton and Chas. Steele of the Independence, Mr. Keith of the Victor, Wm. Lennox, L. P. Airhart, Generals Brooks and Tarsney, and Colonel Hagel. The following agreement was reached.11

1. Deputies to be withdrawn.

2. The mines to be put in peaceable possession of the owners.

3. Military protection to be afforded to mines and miners.

4. Troops to remain for 30 days at least, and longer if necessary in the opinion of the commanding general.

5. Miners to deliver up all arms in their possession, also personal property belonging to other persons or taken from the mines.

6. Troops to be stationed at Cripple Creek, Victor, and Anaconda.

7. Persons for whom the sheriff has or may have warrants to be arrested and turned over to the sheriff at Colorado Springs.

This agreement was carried out and was the final settlement of the difficulty.

6" ... And whereas the riot or insurrection now existing in Cripple Creek has been and now is beyond the power of the civil authorities to control, the lives and property of citizens of said county are in jeopardy, and application has been made by the sheriff of said county for military aid;

"Now, therefore, I, Davis H. Waite, governor of Colorado and commander in chief of the Colorado National Guard and the militia of the State, do call upon all organized companies of the Colorado National Guard to be and appear in the said county of El Paso, under the orders of Brigadier General Brooks, to restore peace and order in said Cripple Creek mining district, El Paso County, Colorado. All persons whomsoever in said county of El Paso unlawfully engaged In strife are warned to preserve the peace, and any unlawfully in possession of real property to yield the possession thereof to the rightful owners, and to cease any and all acts tending to promote civil war, to the end that the laws may resume their sway and the rights of property be determined by the courts.

"Davis H. Walte,
"Governor of Colorado."


7Biennial Report of Adjutant General, p. 48.

8The Adjiitatnt General's Biennial Jfcport says that Sheriff Bowers pleaded that he could not control the men.

9Colorado State Papers. Biennial Report of the Adjutant General, 1893 and 1894, p. 50. Also cf. Office of Adjutant General, impression copies order to militia, May, 1894.

10The telegrams of the 8th and 9th are here given in full. Davis H. Waite, Governor.

The deputies moved from the right and left of our position this morning, contrary to agreement not to do so, and advanced on the miners. It becoming evident to General Brooks that they intended an attack upon the miners, the entire column was put in motion, and the bodies of deputies overtaken at a point 1 mile from Altman. Under orders of General Brooks they returned to their camp.

I most respectfully urge, in view of our close proximity to the miners, that we be Instructed to receive their surrender, which I am credibly informed that all are anxious to make. They sent a committee to confer with me last night, but the committee were arrested by the deputies and I did not meet them.

Answer. T. J. Tarsney,
Adjutant General.
Adjutant General, T. J. Tarsney.

Accept surrender of miners. Do not disarm them, but protect them with all your power. Make a cordon and keep armed deputies out. Advise sheriff and make no arrests. Use no force to compel any arrested man to go with the sheriff. Let that be voluntary. If the armed deputies resist your authority I will call out the unorganized militia to suppress their insurrection. Davis H. Waite,
Governor.
Davis H. Waite, Governor.

Deputies were sent out in squads this morning to arrest parties for whom I have warrants and who are trying to leave the district. While these deputies were in the discharge of their duties they were intercepted by General Brooks, with the State Militia, and ordered to return to camp. I understand the militia are here to aid me in serving process and placing the mine owners in possession of their property. If this is not the case and they are sent here to prevent me from doing my duty and hindering the law, then I most respectfully request their immediate recall. M. F. Bowers, Sheriff.

M. F. Bowers, Sheriff. It is ill advised to send out squads to arrest miners at this time. General Brooks is in the field to compel peace. He Is ordered to prevent any arrests or attacks by armed deputies. The militia are under the orders of the commander in chief, and not of the sheriff. If the deputies resist the order of General Brooks to suppress insurrection they resist the lawful power "of the state.

Davis H. Waite,
Governor and Commander in Chief.
Davis H. Waite, Governor.

Sheriff Bowers admits his inability to control his deputies, and some of his officers agreed with him. This was the reason of his failure to keep faith with.

General Brooks.
T. J. Tarsney,
Adjutant General.
General T. J. Tarsney.

If, as you say, Sheriff Bowers admits that the deputies refuse to obey his orders and are acting in defiance thereof, they are not a lawful body, are only armed marauders, and you must treat them as such. Order them to lay down their arms and disperse. If they refuse to obey and you have not force enough to suppress this new insurrection, notify me and I will call out the unorganized militia to enforce the order.
Davis H. Waite,
Governor.

11Biennial Report of Adjutant General, 1893-4, p. 60.

NEXT: Turbulent conditions in Cripple Creek — Attempts upon life of sheriff — Plan for vengeance in Colorado Springs — The attack upon General Tarsney — Arrests and trials of the strikers