Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-11-16
Piteous Scenes Among Grief
Stricken Relatives of Miners
Killed in Horrible CataStro-
phe of Saturday,
URGENT NEED OF PROMPT
RELIEF FOR UNFORTUNATES
Families Left Destitute, Some
Without Means to Live Out
the Week; Red Cross and
Miners Union Lend Aid.
IBy Morning Journal Special Leased wlr.I

TBy Morning Journal Special Leased Wirsl
Cherry Ills, Nov. 15.-Just before
dark the officials of the miners union
began taking an official roll call of the
widows and orphans. The work was
dii,ult because of the hysteri al eon-
di on Of the women. The women
some oe " hom tad as many as ;Eree
or four small children Juggling at their
skirts. roamed over the fields crying
out piteously the names of brothers
or husbands Many when questioned
for data for the roll call, were so in
coherent in their replies as to be un-
able to tell who they We're or for
whom they We're searching.
Albert, Albert cried one, beating
her breast and walking away
The charity work is in charge of
Duncan Mcdonald, of Springfield,
president Of the district No -, Uni
ted Mineworkers. Edwin Perry secre-
taIy, treasurer of the United Nine
workers of America; e. p. Bicknell,
of Washington, d. C., director of the
National Red Cross and Professor
Graham Taylor, of the state mining
committee.
Up to a late hour tonight no defin-
ite list of the number of widows and
orphans was obtained Roughly esti-
mated Mr.. Mcdonald said there would
be 1000 orphans and 200 widows.
Practically all are destitute. For each
death the state miners union will pay
$3.50, In addition this same organiza-
ton will contribute for distribution
IS, 900 and the national union will
give Il like amount Whatever other
help there is probably viii come from
public funds. it was said.
Almost two-thirds of the men leave
widows" said Mr.. Mcdonald Each
OF these widows has from three to
five children. ! saw one woman here
who has nine children, all under
twelve years Old. She has not enough
ahead to pay for weeks provisions
I'm a month from now the distress
Of these families will be pitiahle
Whatever the public has to give
should be offered now, so we can plan
ahead to take care of these poor peo-
pie for the winter
The demeanor of the stricken
women has varied from stoical to hys-
terical. AT times in the afternoon
when il was expected that some of the
bodies would be taken out and when
the suspense had reached its climax,
the women mourned audibly. or with
set features, grimly stood against
the hempen barrier, hoping against
hope, fearing the worst.
The one school of the town has not
held a session since Friday and proba-
bIv will not hold one until the end OF
the week.
Since Saturday night not a saloon
has been open. There has been no
sign of drunkenness among the men.
Edwin Perry secretary treasurer
of the United Mine Workers. who is
here, received today from Secretary
Frank Morrison of the American
Federation of Labor, the following
telegram:
"The delegates to the twenty-ninth
annual convention of the American
Federation of Labor at this mornings
session adopted the following resolu-
ton:
Whereas, we. the delegates 10 the
twenty ninth annual convention of the
American Federation of Labor, have
learned. with deep regret, that as a
result of fire in a coal mine at
Ill. on Saturday, November
IS, more than 400 miners, members
Of the United Mine Workers of
America. lost their lives. and
Whereas. the Information of this
shocked the people of the
whole country and especially the or
ganized workmen whose efforts have
always been directed toward securing
legislation for the protection of life,
limb and health. Therefore, be 1t
Resolved. That we delegates in
assembled, extend to the
families and dependents of our
former fellow workers our heartfelt
sympathy and coincidence in the great
sorrow that has overtaken them.
that the secretary be instructed TO
convey this resolution to the afflicted
through the representative OF the
miners organization
Charity Director Bicknen OF the
National Red Cross society tonight