The chronicle=news., 1914-08-18
ERAT|0N
FOR MILITIA
OFFICERS At
LUDLOW
Court Martial Probe
Will Vindicate All
Defendants from
Serious Charge


Denver. Colo, Aug. 1S.-Exoner-
alton for any participation they may
have had in the burning Of the Lud.
low tent colony April 90. when
striking miners and national guards.
men were In conflict, awaits each one
of the twenty-three Officers and en-
listed mon. according to the finding 81
of the general court-martial held tc
fix responsibility for the killing OF
three miners, two women and eleven
children.
Capt. Edwin F. Carson. who was
in command of part Of the troops
in the Trinidad district at the time
the tent colony was wiped out, al
ready has been officially vindicated
in that his resignation from the Colo
RADIO National guard has been accept
ed by General John Chase.
Other militiamen will be official
ly exonerated. in accordance with
the findings, within the next forty
eight hours. according to the pre-
diction made in an unofficial state
ment by General Chase.
Governor Ammons. 1t is under
stood. expects to complete his review
OF the finding within "a hours.
The acquittal of the militiamen
tried for arson. murder. manslaugh-
ter and larceny is expected to be
ground upon which their claims for
back pay. which they insist amounts
to $4,000. will be denied by Cen
eral Chase. his contention being
that they were released from custody
May 20. the last day of the court
martial.
In the approval form submitted to
the governor in connection with
each of the specific cases and which
is similar in each finding. the petit
tion is set forth that 1.-The accused be
discharged from custody. fully exon
Grated"
Lieut.. X. E. (Monte) Linderfelt
was tried on two additional counts
in connection with the death Of
Louis Tikas. Greek colony leader Of
the strikers, one q charge of assault
ing Tikas with intent to kill" The
court-martial finds him guiltless Of
assault, contending the breaking of
hie rifle over the head OF Tikas while
a prisoner to be a justifiable act.
The findings are signed By Col.
William A. Davis. president Of the
court. and by Capt. Ed A. Smith Is
Judge advocate.
That the governor will concur In
the recommendations is taken as a
foregone conclusion in the findings
as drawn and submitted in that no
form for a disap2roval of all or any
part Of the findings accompanies the
transcript.
The form. entitled Approval of
the Records and Findings" Is as fol-
lows:
Upon examination of the record
and testimony. taken in the fOrego-
Ing cause. that is to say. the matter
of defendants name). National
Guard OF Colorado. charged with the
cause Of G) arson. (2) murder, CD
manslaughter. tI larceny.
THE commanding general. being
fully advised In the premises. the
findings OF not guilty heretofore
rendered in this cause as to all OF
the specifications and all Of the
charges are hereby approved. and
1T is accordingly ordered that the
accused defendants name) be dis
charged from custody. fully exoner-
as to all of the charges preferred
against him. and that the findings
OF the general court-martial be pub
lished in the usual manner"
Then follows a blank space for the
governor signature.
Among those who were tried be-
fore the court martial include Mai.
Patrick J. Hamrock. Capts. Thomas
c. Linderfelt and Edwin F. Carson
First Lieut.. X. f. Linderfelt, r. ].
Lindcrfelt. r. w. Benedict, NJ. e.
BiSelow and G. S. Lawrence; Second
Lieutenants l.. B. Elliott and A. c.
Conner, Sergts. T. F. Casey. P. NJ.
Cullen, c. f. Taylor and Privates
Frank Kimmer. George Osborne and
Herbert Keisel.
~. .