Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-11-26
THE MINERS BLAMED
Generators Charge Strikers with
Causing an Explosion.
TWO OFFICIALS LOSE THEIR LIVES.
zGiners' Representatives Characterize the
Explosion MS ''Lamentable Acciden"
"A Utah Sheriff Appeals for Troops
Against Miners Lawlessnoss.

"A Utah Sheriff Appeals fOr EFooVs
Against Miners Lawlessness.
Cripple Creek, COL, Nov. 23.-sheriff
Henry Robertson, after investigating
conditions in the sixth level OF the
yIudicator mine, where Superintend-
emit Charles Mccormick and Shift Boss
Melvin Beck were killed Saturday by
an explosion, coincided with the state
ment of the officials of the Vindicator
company that q deliberate attempt had
been made to wreck the shaft with
dynamite. The active committee OF the
Mine owners and Operators assccia-
ton has offered reward OF 5000 Tor
evidence leading to the arrest and con-
yiction Of the perpetrators Of the
crime. In q published statement the
committee says:
"The killing Of Superintendent Nc
Cormick and Melvin Beck, Of the Vim
dicator mine, was one OF the most
diabolical crimes that ever darkened
the annals Of Colorado and 10 another
step in the trail Of blood which has
been made by the Western Federation
Of Miners in this state. The time has
passed for selecting fine terms In which
to speak OF these matters and we DO
not hesitate to say that this crime
was devised and executed by the inner
circle Of this organization. This state
ment is made only after a careful In
yestigation Of facts which show conclu-
sively that these men met their death
through a scheme 30 cunningly devised
and carefully executed as to tax the
ingenuity Of the most experienced
criminal.
"Of late the district has been filling
M with this class Of men who openly
boast Of what they propose to do. Not
single circumstance surrounding this
crime is compatible with the theory
Of accident and with any other theory
than that Of premeditated murder"
The district executive committee OF
the Western Federation Of SINNERS
characterizes the explosion as q ia
mentable accident regretted by all"
and adds:
"But prejudiced individuals who
rarely know anything Of what they
talk about have already passed judg-
ment and denounce 1t as cold-blooded
murder. Experience teaches, however,
that these people are not above maxi
ing capital out Of any public misfor-
tune"
In consequence of these outrages
Gov. Peabody has reinstated Adjt. Gen.
Sherman M. Bell in commando Of the
militia force in this camp, succeeding
Col. Edward fredericksburg. who has
been in command since Bells retire.
ment at the close Of the court-martial
trial Of Gen. John Chase.
Utah Sheriff Appeals for Troops.
Salt Lake City, Nov. 23.-Sheriff Will
cox, Of Carbon county, has appealed to
Gov. Wells to call out the state troops
to protect the coal mine districts Of
his county, which are included In the
recent strike order issued by the
United Mine Workers Of America.
1.-THE local police authorities and dep
uty sheriffs are not sufficient and are
powerless to cope with the lawlessness
and protect life and property and main
tain law and order" Sheriff Wilcox
explains in his telegram to the gov
ernor. my resources are exhausted
and, therefore, believe 1t my duty to
call upon you, as governor Of the state,
for aid and assistance at Scofeld, Castle
Gate and sunnyside."
Sheriff Wilcox says he has already
arrested several parties who were dis
charging firearms for the purpose Of
intimidating men who wished to work
and reports that at Scoheld men have
been assaulted and threatened with
death II they persisted In working
against the strike agitators.
Brig. Gen. John @. Cannon, COM
mandlng the state national guard, left
yesterday to investigate conditions in
the disturbed district and will report
TO the governor as to the necessity for
calling out Of the troops.
The military authorities have ar
rested IA miners on the charge of be-
ing either directly or indirectly con-
nected with the blowing up of the
mine.