The Grit-advocate., 1904-03-25
NATIONAL GUARD
SENT TO LAS ANIMAs COUNTY.
Governors Proclamation Declares
That an insurrection Exists
in Coal Mining Section

:" SS' ''''''S
Denver. March 23.-Conditions in and
about Trinidad have become SO alarm.
ing that Las Animas county has been
declared by Governor Peabody to be
in state of insurrection and rebellion
| The governor has issued proclamation
| declaring this fact which was followed
| shortly by an order to Adjt. Gen. Sher-
| man Bell, directing him to order Major
| Zeph T. Hill, commanding the First
| squadron of cavalry of the Colorado
| National Guard, to order out necessary
| troops and report to the sheriff OF Las
| Animas county and assist him in re-
| storing and maintaining peace in the
| southern coal fields.
To this end about 400 troops and OH
GERS from Denver Boulder, Brighton.
Rocky Ford and Colorado Springs were
| ordered out yesterday afternoon. Most
Of them departed from Denver last
| night for Trinidad. over the c. & S. on
special train consisting Of six coaches.
three baggage cars and three palace
stock cars, many of the men being
taken on board at Colorado Springs and
Pueblo.
The proclamation and executive or,
der issued yesterday by Governor Pea
body, which result.d from reports made
by Maj. Zeph r. Hill, and requests for
troops from the mayor of Trinidad and
sheriff of the county. as well as State
Senator Frank d. Wood and Casimiro
Barela, were as follows:
state of Colorado, Executive Cham
Der, Denver.
.PrOclamatiOn
Whereas, there exists in Las Ami
mas county, state of Colorado, certain
IL ,,e 4 ,J- ft1
armed and are acting together. resist.
ing the laws of this state and Offering
violence to citizens and to property
located in said Las Anmas county;
and.
Whereas. at divers and sundry
times verious crimes have been commit
ted in Las Animas county, by said indi-
viduas, or by and with the aid and un-
der the direction of said vicious and
lawless persons: and,
Whereas. from time to time at
temptS have been made to destroy
property in said county by the use OF
dynamite or other explosives. which
would have resulted in the destruction
of vast amount of property and con-
siderable loss of life; and,
Whereas. threats. intimidatiOnS and
violence are daily threatened and fre-
luenty resorted to by said lawless
class of individuals; and,
Whereas. the civil authorities of
said Las Animas county have notified
me that there is great body of unem-
ployed men in said Las Animas county.
who are arming themselves with dead
ly weapons in apparent anticipation OF
an open and violent conflict without
any respect for our government or its
constitution and laws; and,
Whereas. it is estimated by the
sheriff of said Las Animas county that
not less than 1900 men are fully
equipped with shotguns. rifles, pistols
and deadly weapons. thoroughly in
structed in their use and ready for
prompt action. and,
Whereas. such outbreak of violence.
in opposition to the constitution and
laws of this state is imminent. which
would involve serious destruction of
property and the loss of life to many
innocent citizens; and,
Whereas. by reason of such lawless-
ness. acts of violence and disturbances
the civil authorities are unable to cope
with the situation.
Now, therefore. I. James H. Pea
body, governor and COMMUNICATIVE chief
Of the military forces. by virtue of the
power and authority in me vested, do
hereby proclaim and declare the said
county Of Las Animas. in the state OF
Colorado. to be in a state of insurrec-
ton and rebellion.
In testimony whereof. l have here
unto set my hand and caused to be af-
fixed the great seal OF the state, in the
city of Denver. the state capital, this
22nd day Of March A D. 1904.
JAMES H. PEABODY.
By the Governor. attest:
JAMES COWIE. Secretary Of State"