Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-02-13
CASES DISMISSED
DISTRICT ATTORNEY THURMAN RE-
FUSES To PROSECUTE CITIZENS.
SAVES COUNTY MUCH EXPENSE
MOST DESIRABLE ENDING OF LOCAL
LABOR DISTURBANCES.

The closing chapter OF the Idaho
Springs labor troubles was listened to
with marked interest by a crowded court
room at Georgetown las, Monday. and
now the book has been closed. Early
last spring the story opened when the
members of the local miners union wen,
on strike because OF differences, largely
imaginary on the part of the laborers,
and from a sympathetic standpoint, every
member in the district quit his job. nent-
ally cheating the slogan of Grand Pada-
shaw Chandler to 'soon see grass grow
ing in the streets of Idaho Springs"
The second chapter was of mere SEN
sational character. The Sun and Moon
transformer house was wrecked with
dynamite one night, and the remains Of
Phillip Fire was found near the scene of
the explosion. On his person was found
a card detailing the fact that he was a
member in good standing of the local
miners union. Excitement, OF course.
ran high. and the ringieaders were all
arrested and placed in Jail as suspects.
pending an investigation. The chapter
closed with the recital of the fact that
number of the best citizens of the city
decided that for the good of the commnu-
ity, q number of the men arrested be
asked to leave the district, and backed
the decision by furnishing them with an
escort to the eastern limits of the town
Some quiet humor was injected IN this
chapter by the attorneys for the FEEDER
alton disseminating this sscort as a mob
when bankers and merchants. prince and
psuper. participated in this promenade.
Then came the arrest Of the citizens.
some two haudred or more. charged
with tearing the law-abidiug producer"
from the bosoms of their families, etc..
eeuuterscted by the arrest Of the miners
and sgi,asors charged with conspiracy in
with blowing up Of the Sun
and Moon. A Clear Greek jury was un-
able to decide as to the guilt Of the men
charged with conspiracy. and upon this
techecaiity, the MEN went scot free.
Three Of them. however, were rearres'ed
IN Cilpin county on similar charge. and
today are languishing in the Centrsi
City Jail. deserted by their beloved feder-
alton.
Last Wednesday the citizens of this
city we're given an inning. Some eighty
or more. charged with the deportation
of the miners, went to the county seat to
answer for their crimes. all OF them hav
ing Eve or more. entered upon the CON-
plant.
At the opening Of court the injunction
and damage suits for $4,000 each
brought against Lay faette Hsdchett, j..
Shefwin, o. W. Lowell and Thomas b.
Crow by Lew T. Bender. Edwin Comp
ton. George J. Decker. Albert D. oicoa.
Patrick O'Brien and other members OF
the miners union who were deporteo'
were set for trial at Golden at 10 O'Clock
a. m March u.
In calling up the balance Of the citizens.
District Attorney Thurman said;
"Iu these cases charging Lafayeit Han
cbett and about So other citizens ofIdaho
Springs with riot, Asssult, inhmfoa''on,
etc. l have investigated as fully as pos
sible all their details and ! am sstish-d,
in view of the recent experiences IN the
trial of other cases closely connected
Herewith. tina, it would be inadvisable to
attempt to proceed further in this matter.
Owing to the large number OF defendants
and the numerous indictments. It wouid
present . list ., 400 challenges and as that
is more than the voting population of
the county, outside Of those who were
summoped and excused n the last sitting
of this court, il would be almost imPos
sible to secure jury in this county.
The Conspiracy cases recently tried IN
this court entsiled an expense Of approx
imately $1,000 and the prosecution o.
these cases will cost approximately $4,000
more. do not believe the necess'ties
Of the occasion, q the punishment OF the
crime charged jassi6es the enfa'iing o.
such an expense upon this county. me
couditiou Of the community 10 nov sucn
that no law abiding citizen need oe III
tear Of violepce or intimidatiou. These
defesdeuts, who represent the oest c'"'
.ens Of Idaho Springs. may have over
stepped the bossds Of law and Pfopnesy'
but IL view of the circumstances connect
nected with the case. sbail ask the conft
TO ester writ Of sole psosequi snd ''-'
the defsudants be d:schssEed." Il
rhis listie speil brought rise ont o.
Attorney Rjebasdspn Who codbe mp hke
. huuaa yeaa cake Who denominased tne
stsosuey's pserogstive o "the most os"'