The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-09-03

MT. CARMEL, PA.-Ask any old
resident of Mount Carmel if they be-
lieve John r. Lawson guilty of kill
ing the mine guard Nimmo during the
recent Colorado strike, for which he
now stands convicted with a life term
as the sentence, and you'll find out
things about Lawson from the time of
his birth until he crossed the divide
into manhood and departed from the
town of his boyhood, to cast his for
tunes in pastures new that will con
vince you that Lawson possesses the
noble traits of mankind that make for
better and brighter things in life such
as his latter day business associates
and friends have proclaimed for him.
On the top of a great mountain Just
a few miles to the north of Mt Car
mel is located the little mining town
of Bells Tunnel. In a company house
in this obscure village Lawson first
opened his eyes to the light of day
Today a culm bank two hundred feet
high and several hundred yards in
width would greet Lawson should he
visit his humble birthplace
Just west of the city line and still in
operation stands the Alaska breaker
the property of the Philadelphia and
% q yr-bo 7
son performed his first work in or
about the mines, starting as a breaker
boy at the tender age of nine. In the
same colliery there are today several
miners employed who picked slate
with Lawson and who too were forced
to start the weary grind of toll at an
age that robbed them Of childhood s
happiness Ask them about Lawson
and they will tell you that Little
Jack" as they called him, was just
the type of a boy that all of his work
mates and playmates admired
ReIigiousIy Inclined
Six weary shifts from ten to eleven
hours each failed to dim LaWsons re
ligious spirit and every Sunday, rain
or shine, found him a deeply interest
ed participator in the Sunday school
services of the First Presbyterian
church. His Sunday school teacher OF
that period, to whom he was devoted
with all the love and admiration of q
boys heart, who is nov the wife OF
eX-Judge NOris Auten, one of the best
known and most prominent attorneys
in the anthracite coal region, still re
members with a great degree Of affec
ton her little faithful worshipper and
is ever willing, yes, even to make sac
rifices to give testimony in his be
half. When interviewed at her beau
tiful home in Mt Carmel, Mrs. Auten
responded with an eagerness that re
moved all doubt of her esteem for
the Colorado labor leader.
Asked for an expression as to Law
sons guilt or innocence, she said: 81.
of course, have no personal knowledge
of the facts of the case against him.
but from my intimate acquaintance
with him when a boy can Hardly be
lieve it possible that he could be guilty
of the crime of which he stands con
victed. When a lad living in Mount
Carmel, he was a member of my Sun
day school class, and had strong re
ligious inclinations and convictions
His manner was mild and disposition
kind and gentle. He had a thirst for
knowledge, and l frequently loaned
him good, WHOLESOME books, which,
after reading, he would discuss in an
intelligent manner. The trend of his
mind was toward the peaceful the
moral and the elevated / therefore
cannot think that his disposition and
inclinations have so far changed that
he would deliberately conspire to com
nit heinous crime"
Chief of Police Worked With Lawson
Nicholas Morgan, who played and
worked with Lawson, is now chief of
police of Mt. Carmel He, in common
with all other old residents who knew
Lawson, is also loud i'm his praise of
his sterling uuaIitips 81 do NOT no