Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-04-30
PHYSICIANS DEATH
ADDS To THE TENSE
FEELING IN COLORADO
Nine Identified Dead Marks Days
Toll in Western Coal
Fields
STRIKERS BREAK PLEDGES
Agree to Truce, But When Soldiers
Advance They Again
Open Fire
STRIKERS BREAK PLEDGES

Denver, Colo, April 30.-Nine identi-
fled dead and probably many more
whose death was not reported was the
result of the fighting yesterday and
last night in the strike zone of the
Southern Colorado coal fields.
The killing of Major p. p. Lester, a
prominent physician of Walsenhurg
while trying to save the life of a
wounded guardsman was one of the
agencies which added to the tense feel
ing to-day.
The battle at Forbes where seven
mine guards and two strikers We're
known to have been killed yesterday
caused State officials to announce that
drastic action would have to be taken
Immediately to prevent further blood
shed. For this work. Governor Am
mons looks to the United States
troops.
Detachment For Walsenburg
What disposition would be made OF
the troops from Fort Leavenworth
under Major Holbrook, who arrived
in the Trinidad district was not known
early to-day. The battle at Walsen-
burg was between one hundred State
soldiers and more than 400 strikers
entranched in rife pits behind the lava
formation of the hills which form a
semicircle around Walsenburg for a
distance of three miles
Under Lieutenant Scott, one detach-
ment of militia advanced along the
hills. Captain Swope commanded the
other which followed. The soldiers
were armed with rifles and service re-
volvers and proceeded without thought
of attack.
Orders Fire Returned
Suddenly from the rifle pits came
rni nf hirll no Of h.
first detachment. Lieutenant Scott
drew his men up in fighting line and
ordered the fire returned. Soon he
saw that the attacking force greatly
outnumbered his men, that they had
the advantage of the natural fortif-
cation, and he ordered his men into
the arroyo.
Captain Swope hurried to reinforce
the vanguard, his men firing as they
ran. When the two commands join
ed they gradually withdrew from the
arroyo and advanced upon the
trenches.
Then from the south came a small
command under Captain Barrett
hurrying to relieve them. Captain
Swope deployed his men back to the
north flank of the strikers who faced
fire from three sides. Finally Horace
n. Hawkins, attorney in Denver for
lllt oh hlllt w oIhtIS VI
who was in telephone communication
with the strikers called upon Colonel
Nerdeckberg in Walsenburg to agree
to an hours truce, to consider terms
of surrender.
Renew Their Fire
1t has said the strikers agreed to
deliver their arms to the soldiers pro-
vided they We're not held prisoners
To this, it was said Colonel Verdeck-
berg agreed. 1t was arranged that
seven officers were to go forward tC
receive the arms of the strikers as
they filed past.
Colonel Verdeckberg so Informed
the militia and they ceased firing. The
officers, it was stated, advanced con-
siderable distance and the strikers left
their position, passed the militia, and
then renewed firing.
1t was at this moment that Major
Lester was killed. During the lull in
battle he had gone forward to the
aid of Private Glen Miller. who had
fallen $50 feet from the point at which
the strikers then were.
So hot was the fire that the militia
men were unable to advance to the
point where Major Testers body lay
and were fully occupied in defendine
themselves.
For two hours more the fightine
continued and finally the strikers
withdrew, carrying their guns with
them.