Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-11-22
MINERS CLAIM
SIX KILLED BY
FIREOF GUARD
Strike Leaders At
tempt to Fix Res
possibility for Af-
fray on Officers

DENVER. Gala, Nov. 2l.-IP--
With national guardsmen patrOlling
the northern Colorado coal field
where several persons were killed
and upwards az n score injured BY
gun fire yesterday, both state Of
ficials and representatives Of miners
who answered IA strike call issued NV
Industrial Workers or the World five
weeks ago, today disclaimed RESPONSE
bility.
In describing the skirmish at the
Columbine mine in Weld county,
north of here. representatives Of
strikers declared six were killed on
died Of injuries, N received gun shot
wounds and IA were arrested.
The state casualty list showed
five dead. 20 injured and four al
legged strike leaders i'm Jail. I'm ad-
dition, the state claimed all of the
score or special officers guarding
the mine were injured by stones or
clubs.
Frank Palmer. member OF the
strikers committee and former pub
Usher of the Denver Labor Advocate.
In nm address 20 miners in Weld
county, declared a machine gun had
been used on "defenselcss and peace
able miners" and that there wAa nn
justification for the shooting.
MIR. Palmer said the state police
opened fire when a group Of min
ers made a peaceful attempt to 80
70 the post office, located ON the
Il wwMFw MmM
4 there wnH mo intention t0 cause dam
age 70 mine works and that none of
the workers were armed.
Declares State Of Riot
Governor WI. H. Adams, who Hn-
clAred m state 0f riot and insurrec-
tion existed In Weld and Boulder
counties in an order modifying part
Of the national guard, said he be-
lievcd the state police fired in SELF
defense when large body of strike
sympathizers attempted % storm the
mine.
The executive order gave Adiutant
General Paul P. Newton authority 10
take such action ns he desired tu
control the situation with the same
powers as he would have under mar
tial law.
Five companies cf infantry. two
troops of cavalry, two armnrcd tanks
and N medical detachment com
prized the guard forces. Four air
plans from the guard squadron al
ready were In the area, having been
assigned to patrol duty last week.
Louis Nv. Scnerf, chief VII the stats
law enforcement department, I'm COM
mand Of the special police, reported
that he ordered his men 90 fire only
after the leaders of 600 or GOO per-
sons VA The miner delegation Fe-
fused 20 heed his command ~ halt
and stormed the gate 70 the property
about $3.50 a. m. Monday.
Report of Eye Witness
An eyewitness report of the fight
was made 20 Governor Adams NV
Sterling b. Lacy, state budget com
missioner.
"Day was iust breaking when tho
mob Of curainR men. hurlinR stones.
sticks and welding knives, came cn
like a tornado" Lacy said. Retreat
ing slowly before them was Louis
Seherf with his twenty state police
men, pleading. begging and cntrnnt-
inF the mob members tn stop.
adam Bell. RI wv. WV. organizer.
gave the order for the mob 70 ad-
vance. Come on boys. Let's no i'm nt
EN- Bell shouted. Ha refused to
heed Scherf'B pleas. IA few feet he-
hind Scherf were the state police
in two lines. Scherf was cut and
bleeding. so were all the members Of
his force. ~When in became apparent
that there was nD stopping The force
or strikers. Echerf issued nn order
TO fire. The first vollsy went over
the heads Of the mop. II did not