The Washington times., 1907-07-11
Meyers Recital
Lasts f Hours
In Boise Trial

BOISE. Idaho, July H-For four hours
Charles H. Meyer. president OF the
Western Federation OF Miners, indicted
with Haywood and Pettibone for the
murder Of former Governor SteunenberE.
told from the witness stand the story
OF the stormy career OF his organiza-
ton since no became its chief execu-
tive and the resultant trouble and suf-
fering visited upon himself Meyer
wore a blue sack suit and appeared in
good health and spirits
The room was crowded, and many
women were in attendance Among
those seated near Meyer were his wife
and sister-in-law. Meyers examination
brought out a long recital OF strikes,
violence, deportatioRs. and assassina-
uons-historical OF the strike troubles
in the far West-hastIly sketched: a
picture that had been confronting the
jury for many weeks.
Other than for the crime for which he
Is indicted. Meyer has been arrested for
three murders, but has never had even
preliminary hearing or trial on any
one OF the cases He was a prisoner in
the Telluride (ColOradOl military prison
for ten weeks. at the time OF the hide
pendence railroad station explosion, and
was in Missouri when the explosion in
the Nin6icator mine in Colorado oc-
CURED He testified mat he never gave
Harry Orchard the actual murderer OF
former Governor Steunenberg, a dollar
for any purpose and never discussed
crime or violence with him.
Miner Since 1883.
When Meyer was ushered to the wit
ness chair. he said in answer To oues-
lions by Mr.. barrow for the defense.
that he had been a miner since 1883.
The Black Hills was the scene of his
early labors. and for years he worked
In the Golden Reward. Homestate, and
Horseshoe mines. He did not join any
labor union until 1897, when he became
charter member OF a smelterman's
union, at Lead. S D., local OF the
Western Federation, and subsequently
was elected president. He served two
terms as president OF this union and. in
June, lSsS, was elected to the executive
board or the Western Federation. He
was selected president OF the Western
Federation in June. 1902 Haywood had
been elected secretary-treasurer the
year before. He first met Haywood in
1900 and Pettibone about year pre-
vious.
The first time he met steve" Adams.
asserted by Orchard to be an associate
assassin, was on this occasion. He first
met orchard IN January. 1904. in the
Denver headquarters.
I do not," said he, "recollect of hav-
Ing much conversation with him re-
member that he was a delegate to the
convention Of the State Federation of
Labor from a Cripple Creek union.
Darrcw asked: Did you ever meet
him in December, in your office. and
pay him $500 for his good offices in
blowing up the Vindicator miner"
Never Paid Him.
mo, sir; he never talked to me about
the Vindicator, either alone or in the
presence OF Bill Easterly. 1 never paid
him a dollar in my life for a criminal
purpose or for any other purpose. 1
met him in Cripple Creek, bat never
gave him S1C0 for the Yindica5or explo-
sion. I was in Cripple Creek at the trial
of some of orr men for train wreckins
I did not talk to hlm\ to any extent
Again, on March . he came to Denver
with Others and said he had decided 10
quit Cripple Greek They asked my ad-
vice about going 10 a new field TO get
work. told Orchard that SilveTtOn
was the most promising place. lie said
he would go there. I told him 7 was
going 10 Auray IN a few days and he
could accompany me as guard. Several
organizers OF The United Miners had
been badly beaten up in that territory
and determined TO protect myself.
Orchard agreed 10 accompany re.
Il obtained two saweG-off shotguns
from Pettibone. 50 that we could put
them IN our suitcaSes. Orchard paid his
own fare. but paid the hotel bills
Drank With Orchard.
Meyer denied that he had ever asked
Orchard TO kill Neville. He last saw
Orchard, he said, on June q. 1905.
Orchard came TO his Office in Denver
shook hands with him. and asked him
to take a drink. They went ont n.
gether, drank. dineo and parted He
knew Orchard mad taken the name of
Hogan. and supposed it was 10 escape
the blacklist. He next heard Of Orchard
as under arrest for the Steunenberc
murder. Meyer consulted John Muir
ply, counsel for the federation in Den
yer. who told him &c take no steps TO
defend Orchard unless the federation
was attacked. Meyer then left for Chi
cago. and did not return for several
weeks.