Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1907-05-07
WHAT LEAD UP TO
THE ASSASSINATION.

Former Governor Frank Steunen-
berg's assassination and the arrest of
Meyer, Haywood and Pettibone were
features of war that has been
waged by the miners and mine own
ers since 1892.
The scene of the struggle in Idaho
has been in the Coeur d'Alene noun
tains, in the northern part of the
state. From 1892 to 1899, when the
miners were in control, ii is said,
many non-union men were run out of
the country. Since 1899, when the
mine owners gained the ascendancy,
there has been an organized effort to
make the country Undesirable for un-
ion men. 1t is the boast of the mine
owners that a man cannot get work
except through two employment bu-
reaus maintained by them. The sys-
TEN of inspection is Pinkerton-like.
Men have been killed on both sides.
The miners observe a formal annual
decoration day, when they place flow
ers on the graves of their dead.
While Steunenberg was governor in
1899 miners to the number of 1000
blew up big mill at the Bunker Hill
and Sullivan mine and killed two
men The governor called in the
federal troops. The latter establish
ed the stockade, held 600 miners
without right of trial, and rode rough
shod over the country. Congress in
vesigated, but upheld the military.
Because he had called in the fed
eral troops the feeling against Steun-
enberg was intensely bitter Threats
were made, but he was not molested
Steunenberg retired from office six
years ago. Since then there has been
quiet in the Coeur d'Alenes, the mine
owners with their private detectives
being in complete control. A friend
or the governors, however, is author
lty for the statement that he always
felt that his life was in danger. He
made 1t a rule before taking a seat to
look about him, and he never told
even his best friends of his move
ments.
Steunenbergs home was at Cald-
well, Canyon county, in the south
western part of the state. He en-
gagged in sheep raising and other en-
terprises after leaving office and
amassed about $4,000.
The Assassination.
The assassination occurred in the
evening of December 80, of 1905. A
bomb had been planted at the gate
leading to the Steunenberg home. 1t
was contrived so as to be exploded by
the opening of the gate.
When the late governor sought to
enter there was terrific explosion.
His body was blown fifteen feet.
His right side was fearfully man
gled' his right arm and both legs were
broken, and death came in a few
minutes.
Part of the fence was blown down
ana the windows of the house were
shattered. The trees were peppered
with bits of metal
Governor Gooding, with a party of
prominent citizens, Travelled from this
city TO Caldwell in a special train.
They found that Sheriff Nichols had
placed Gordon Of deputies around
the town.
on the next day Capt w. 5. Swain.
Of the Thiel detective agency, who
has for years had charge OF detective
work for the Occur d'Alene mine
owners, arrived and took charge.
On January l, 1906, a man who
had said he was Thomas Hogan. of
Denver, was charged with the crime.
Explosives We're found i'm his room
and in his trunk at the depot He
had spent several weeks i'm Boise and
Caldwell yariously representing him
self as am agent for "a high explosive,
an insurance agent and "a real estate
man.
Henry Orchard Arrested.
ON January the sheriff of Teller
county, Colorado, identified Hogan as
Harry Orchard, who had BON sus-
pected of blowing up the depot at In
dependence, Colo, during the strike
there, when thirteen men We're killed.
James Mcfarland, head of the Pin
hrrton agency al Denver, who has
done the work of the Colorado mine
owners came into the case
The detectives announced that they
mad evidence that l.. j. Simpkins, a
prominent member of the Western
Federation Of Miners. had been seen
with Orchard in Caldwell. A heavy
reward is offered for Simpkins, but
he has not been found.