The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-06-06
DYNAMITERS KILL
COLORADO MINERS.
Plot Against Nonunion Men in
Cripple Greek
y Region.
Victims of Internal Machine
Hurled High in the
Air.

Cripple Creek, Col, June 6.-Twelve
miners were instantly killed and eight
or ten others badly injured by an ex-
plosion that occurred after midnight
at the Independence station of the
Florence & Cripple Creek railroad.
The cause of the explosion has not
been ascertained, but apparently 1t
was the result of a plot against the
nonunion miners on the night shift
at the Shurtloff, Findlay and Lost
Dollar mines, who had just finished
work and were about to return to
kheir homes.
These men had no warning what
ever Of their impending fate.
The explosion occurred beneath the
platform on which they were stand
ing, hurting many Of them high into
the air. destroying the adjoining de-
pot and rending a great hole in the
earth.
1t Is believed a large quantity of
dynamite had been placed under the
platform and that it was set off by
means of electricity or by the con-
Cussion caused by the approaching
train. The train had not arrived at
the Independence depot, but was
within a short distance Of 1t when the
explosion occurred.
About forty-flve or fifty miners
from the Shurtloff, Findlay and Lost
Dollar mines had gathered at the de-
pot platform and they were blown
fanto the air in every direction. One
mans body, cut in two, was found
100 yards from the scene Of the ex-
plosion. Seven bodies were laid out
together and the remnants Of 9TH
ers were secured as fast as possible.
On account of the terrible nature OF
their wounds, identification was diff
Gcult.
1t Is supposed that at least 200
Inn 60 ~ 70
used to produce such an explosion
The depot was entirely destroyed. The
ground on which 1t stood shows 6
great cash, as IL an earthquake hac
torn UP the country and left this
Tawning cavity to remind the people
of great upheaval. The impact o.
1.-The explosion was felt in every direc
tion. The miners who stood on the
Eplatform were literally shot far int
the air. The accident theory is scout
ed by every one.
- Later detectives found the machine
4 (which set off the dynamite under thu
platform. It consists Of revolver AND
WAS placed underneath the platform
Eclose to the powder. The other enc
tof the wire was fastened to ~ Chez
a1eg which was used as a lever fra H's.s
9eribbings Of the Delmonico prpl,
+ tSatastrophe and further tTot4S5el /
Feared. A number OF fist fights hat
I lhlready occurred.
K independence Is about six mile
4 E3rom this city. A special train carry
Fing physicians was dispatched to tn
i scene Of the explosion and the injure,
were taken to the Victor hospita
Sheriff Robertson, with deputies an
police officers of both Cripple Cree
and Victor went to Independence OF
the special train and Immediately be
gan a careful search for clues to tn
perpetrators Of the outrage.
Altho the strike of union miner
in the Cripple Creek district, whic
began Aug. 10, 1908, and which lie
to the declaration of martial law
Telluride county by Governor Pes
body, Is still in effect, good order hs
been maintained for the past 81
months and military rule has bee
suspended and all troops withdraw
The mine owners, with the exceptio
of the Portland company, claim
have as many men working as the
need, and they require all miners
denouce' allegiance to the WEBSTER
Federation.
A committee appointed by tt
Western Federation, now in session
Denver to investigate the situation
the district, visited the camp la
week. Charles H. Meyer, president
the federation, Is in Jail at Tellurid
which is under martial law, beir
held as a military prisoner by Co
ernor Peabody, who charges him wit
melting insurrection and rebellion.
Telluride Is in southwestern Col
RADIO and Is about 400 miles fro
Cripple Creek. The strikes in Il
metalliferous mines of Colorado we
ordered by the executive board of tt
Western Federation of Miners for tt
purpose of cutting off the ore supp
0f mills and Srpa1tarS at which c
eight-hour day was refused to the er
iDlOYeeS,