Denver labor bulletin., 1915-08-21
People eofLawson's Boyhood T Town
Interested in Fate of Little Jack
.EIw-,
By X. c. ADAMS.

q sT.3E' By X. c.
Ask any old resident OF Mount Carmel.
Pa, il they believe John X. Lawson
guilty OF killing the mine guard Nimmo
during the recent Colorado strike for
which lie now stands convicted with a
life term 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 boyhood, to cast his fortunes in
pastures new that will convince you that
Lawson possesses the noble traits of
mankind that make for better and
brighter things in life. such a. his latter
day business associates and friends have
proclaimed for him.
On the top OF great mountain just u
few miles to the north of Mount Carmel
is located the little mining town OF
Bells Tunnel. In 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
4 operation stands the Alaska breaker. the
property OF the Philadelphia and Read
son performed his first work in or about
the mines. starting as a breaker boy at
/ the tender age of nine. In the same col
/ liery there are today several miners EN-
/ ployed who picked slate with Lawson
l and who too We're forced to start the
weary grind OF toll at am age that robbed
/ them of childhood's happiness. Ask them
| about Lawson and they will tell you
/ that Little Jack a. they called him,
was just the type OF boy that all OF
/ his wnrkmates and playmate- admired.
Religiously Inclined.
/ Six weary shifts from ten to eleven
hours each failed to dim Lawson's re-
/ ligious spirit and every Sunday. rain or
shine. found him IA deeply interested par.
\ ticipator in the Sunday school services
1 OF the First Presbyterian church Hi,
| Sunday school teacher OF that period to
whom he was devoted with all the love
and admiration of boys heart. who is
now the wife OF EN Judge Noris Auten,
one OF the best known and most promi-
nent attorneys in the anthracite coal re-
| gion. still remembers with great de.
gree of affection her little faithful wor-
shipper and is ever willing yes. even to
make sacrifices to give testimony in his
behalf When interviewed at her beau
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: II. 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 believe il pos
| sible that he could be guilty OF the crime
| of which lie stands convicted. When a
lad living in Mount Carmel, he was n
member OF my Sunday school class, and
| had strong religious inclinations and
convictions. His manner was mild and
disposition kind and gentle He had a
thirst for knowledge. and ! 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 can
not think that his disposition and in
clinations have so far changed that he
would deliberately conspire to commit n
| heinous crime"
Chief of Police Worked With Lawson.
Nicholas Morgan, who played and
worked with Lawson. is now chief of po-
lice at Mount Carmel lie, in common
| WIN all Otner oiu f"siHeHiS VINO knew
Lawson. is also loud in his praise Of
his sterling qualities. Il do not believe
that he is guilty OF the crime of murder
or any other wrong and believe time
will demonstrate this fact"
Ask most any old time mine snpcrin-
tcndcnt, newspaper editor, lawyer, doc
tor or merchant on the street corner. in
their home, or at their place Of business
about Lawson, who knew him and they
will all pay the same splendid tribute
to his name. And they are his friends
ready and willing to go the full limit
for him. They are keenly alive to the
seriousness of his present position in his
battle for simple justice. This was evil
denced last week on the occasion of the
visit of John p. White. president of the
United Mine Workers, to Mount Carmel
when Ten thousand cheered for fully ten