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 ExCitem ent
Has Died Out at Scene of
Crime Officials Deemed It
Unwise to Bring Prisoners to
Inquest,

Boulder, Colo Aug, I'--I ne Coto-
ners Jury has rendered verdict
charging Frank Kiser and j. wv
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
and Kiser with Viful murder.
The confessions of Reeves and
Kiser were read to the coroner's jury
and made a deep impression on all
who heard them. Neither of the men
held for the fearful crime were pres
ent at the inquest, 1t 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 Iynching since the night fol-
lowing in the tragedy.
George w. Teal and George F.
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
the fire at the Colorado and Southern
depot Saturday because Reeves set it,
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 1t was desired he
should not be implicated. While the
officers were on the hunt for the
guilty men heskept under cover.
The aged parents of j. w. Reeves
live on a small farm in New Jerscy
according to people here who are Wei
acquainted with the man who has . l.
mitted his guilt Of causing the n, 81
horrible disaster in the history of tai'
city, and Sunday last they heard ol
the crime of which their son is guilty
It is said that II 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 lettel
addressed to Reeves in the care Of
Mrs Kiser, and the postmark indicat
ed that It came from the folks a
home. The missive was forwarded t
the Denver jall. y 1t Is understood
here that the parents of Reeves in
tend coming to Denver as soon a
possible, to be near their son unit
his trial is over.
Mrs. Kiser. the mother Of Frank ri
ser. has been taken TO st. Gertrude
academy. where she is being attende,
by the sisters of the Catholic church
This morning she was reported as be
ing in a serious condition, but this at
ternoon she was somewhat better.
is feared that when she is mad
aware of the fact that the crime q
which her son was guilty has to b
expiated on the gallows her reaso
will be dethroned.
Boulder Is rapidly beginning to re
sumo her wonted appearance. Plat
glass fronts are again being put !
where the explosion of last Saturda
morning wrought such havoc. Place
boarded up are getting rid of tn
boards, and daylight Is again beln
admitted into the mercantile estal
llshments.
The Colorado and Southern roa
has begun erecting It's temporaT
platform for freight business at Mint
and Walnut streets. II will be ski
feet long and twenty wide, and
between tracks. The plans for II
depot have not been drawn, but al
to be made Immediately.
one singular feature about the e.
ploslon Is that many OF those WI
stood near do not remember Of hea
ing any noise, so stunned or daz'
we're they. George #. Fonda, chief
the fire department. says he did n
hear IL. and he does not rememb
that he ever looked up to see the G
fects Of IT, He says that for IA
he does not know what he just d
do for a few seconds after the dyn
mite went off Others report simil
experience
one young lady who had just Il
tho pouider Club dance, was knock