Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-08-18
Formal Charge of Murder Filed
Against Striking Switchmen
Accused of Blowing Up BOuI-
der Depot
PRISONERS HELD IN
DENVER FOR SAFETY
Notwithstanding EXCitement
Has Died Out at Scene of
Crime Officials Deemed It
UnwiSe to Bring Prisoners to
Inquest,

Boulder. Colo. Aug 1.-THE coro-
ner's jury has rendered a verdict
charging Frank Kiser and j. w.
Reeves, two union switchmen who
were on strike, with starting the fire
which caused the dynamite explosion
which brought death to four people,
besides doing enormous damage to
property The district attorney has
filed an information charging Reeves
anu hiser with wilful murder.
The confessions Of Reeves and
Kiser We're read to the coroner's jury
and made deep impression on all
who heard them Neither of the men
held for the fearful crime were pres
ent at the inquest, it being deemed
unsafe to bring them to Boulder not
withstanding the fact that the town is
quiet as usual and there has been no
talk of lynching since the night fol-
lowing in the tragedy.
George w. Teal and George +.
Fonda, both of this city. were yester-
day in Denver and had short talk
with Kiser in the Jail. Kiser said to
them that he was not responsible for
I - fire a the Colorado and Southern
depot Saturday because Reeves set il.
and he could not keep him from do
ing so.
He did not deny however. that he
set one Of the first fires, nor that he
stood by Reeves when the latter put
the waste and the straw In the box
car which caused the cOnflagration,
nor did he deny that he and Reeves
sneaked off together to the brewery,
and from there watched the flames
spread without sending in an alarm.
Kiser impressed the men as attempt
ing. in a cowardly way. to eVade his
share of the responsibility.
The actions Of Harvey Pool may be
inquired into. as he was told by the
men that they would do something,
and after they did commit their crime
he did not tell the officers who the
men were. in fact, did not tell them
that he had been warned To remain
away, because Il was desired he
should not be implicated While the
Officers were on the hunt for the
guilty men he kept under cover.
The aged parents of j. W. Reeves
live ID a small farm I'm New Jersey.
according to people here who are woll
acquainted with the man who has a l.
mitted his guilt of causing the m 81
horrible disaster in the history Of q Is
city. and sunday last they heard Of
the crime of which their son Is guilty
II Is said that IL is largely by Reeves
own endeavors that the parents have
been supported. and the little farm
Kept from the hands of debtors This
afternoon the mail brought a letter
addressed to Reeves in the care OF
Mrs Kiser and the postmark indicat
ed that IL came from the folks al
home. The missive was forwarded To
the Denver Jail. II Is understood
here that the parents Of Reeves in
tend coming To Denver as soon as
possible To be near their son until
his trial is over.
Mrs. Kiser. the mother Of Frank XII
ser. has been taken to 1t. Gertrude's
academy. where she is being attended
by the sisters of the Catholic church. |
This morning she was reported as be- !
ing In a serious condition. but this af-
ternoon she was somewhat better. II |
is feared that when she is made |
aware of the fact that the crime Of |
which her son was guilty has to be |
expiated on the gallows her reason |
will be dethroned
Boulder Is rapidly beginning 10 re- /
sume her wonted appearance Plate |
glass fronts are again being put in |
where the explosion OF last saturday /
morning wrought such havoc. Places I
boarded up are getting rid Of the 1
boards. and daylight is again being 4
admitted into the mercantile estab-
lishments
The Colorado and Southern road /
has begun erecting its temporary 1
platform for freight business al Ninth 4
and Walnut streets II will be sixty I
feet long and twenty wide. and be
between tracks. The plans for the
depot have not been drawn. but are
tu be made Immediately
one singular feature about the eX-
piosion is that many of those who
stood near do not remember of hear
Ing any noise. so stunned OF dazed
were they. George +. Fonda. chief of
the fire department. says he did not
hear II. and he does not remember
that he ever looked up Go see the ef-
fecis " d. He says that for q fact
he does not know what he just did .
De- Tor a few seconds after the dyna-
mite went off Others report similar
experience
one young lady who had just left I
lhe Boulder club dance. Was knocked