OCR Text |
Show I' TRINIDAD HORRIFIED j BY FA TE OF HELPLESS TRINIDAD, Colo., April 21. Vith seven identified dead in Trinidad morgues and a long list of missing and reported dnad. the toll of yestcr-I yestcr-I da."i battle between state troops and strikers at and near Ludlow will probably prob-ably roach from twenty-five to titty. Among those reported missing arc four women and thirteen children, who are believed to have been suffocated by the fire that, destroyed tho strikers' teuts at tho close of yesterday's fight. Earlier Ear-lier in the day they had hidden in trenches in the colonv to 'escape tho riflo and machine gun" firo that raked tho tents. The list of known injured consists of threo sobjiers who were brought to Trinidad tonight. Trinidad is horror-stricken tonight by reports of the number of women, children chil-dren and noncombatants who lost their lives in yestcrdav 'a fight and in tho lire that 'followed. "It is horrible," said- John McLon-nan. McLon-nan. president of district No. 15, United Unit-ed Mine Workers of America, who is in charge at local headquarters. "Thev wero caught like rats in a trap," he added. "The bodies of two women and ten children wero seen in one trench," was stated at tho Ludlow military camp tonight. "God only knows how many yet will bo found."'" Denies Soldiers' Responsibility. Major llamioek tonight, denied the report that tho Ludlow tents were set oa firo by the militia. Tho blaze started, start-ed, ho said, near the southwest corner of the colony while the troops were engaged in an attnok upon the strikers entrenched in the pttinphousc. Fanned by a brisk west wind tho dames spread with incrodiblo speed and in a few minutes min-utes the entire colony was a smolder, ing heap nr' nshes. lie also reiterated the statement that the fighting was precipitated by a bund of Greek strikers under Louis Tikas, who opened fire upon military tents at Ludlow. Tikas, he declared, 'had promised prom-ised a few minutes previously to go out among a party of strikers that hud intrenched in an arroyo west of the colony and induce them to disarm. Tho soldiers were driven out of their camp by a hail of bullets, according to the officer. Later, ho said, tho strikers strik-ers moved around back of the colony and took a position along tho Colorado & Southern tracks nnd attacked tho Lindcrfelt detachment. 3rajor Ham rock then moved up and placed his men in the railroad yards. Union Officials Silent. The union officials issued no statement. state-ment. More than 200 women and children, refugees from the burned colony, are tonight being oared for in Trinidad. Tho hall of the Trinidad Trades Assembly Assem-bly has been turned into a temporary dormitory and hospital. Many are suffering suf-fering t'rom burns and injuries, but none is said to bo serious. Food. and bedding is being provided by the union. A forco of armed strikers, estimated at GOO or more, is intrenched in tho hills north and east of tho ruins of tho tents. Two hundrod militiamen, under ilajor Hamrock, Captain Carson, Lieutenant Lieu-tenant Linderfolt, Lieutenant Lawrence Law-rence nnd Lieutenant Chase, are stationed sta-tioned in and about Ludlow. "Militiamen "Militia-men and strikers today profcased fear of an attack should they appear to search for bodies among the ruins of the colony. Undertakers, -with a flag of truce, loft tonight to search for bodies. A now supply of ammunition is said to have been received by both militiamen militia-men and strikers during tho day. Extra Ex-tra sentries have been posted by both sides. The troops are said to be preparing to move upon the men in the hills. The troops are in possession of four machino guns. Tho problem of food and water has bccouio a serious one on both sides. James Fylcr, who was killed during the fighting- late yesterday, has, been a promiuent union figure during the strike. lie was a witness for the union during the recent congressional strike investigation here, and testified that he had been arrested by the militia whilo hunting rabbits, and, with several others, was backed against a wall fac-iug fac-iug a loaded cannon and threatened with death. Charles Costa, who, with his -wife and two children are reported to have been killed, was also a prominent striko leader. Identified Dead: A. MA&TIN, private company A, Denver. LOUIS TIKAS. strike, organizer United Mine Workers, Ludlow. JAMES FYTjEE-, striker, secretary union, Ludlow. FBANK BOBINO, striker, Ludlow. JOHN" BABTOLITO, striker, Ludlow. PREMO LAESIE, brewery worker, Trinidad. FEANK SNYDER, aged 12, son of William Snyder, striker, Ludlow. Missing and reported dead: CHARLES COSTA, striker, Ludlow. MRS. CHARLES OOSTA and two childreu, MRS. FRANK PEDRTNO and two children. MRS. NICK- MEL'ASOVITOH and seven children. MRS. - CHAVEZ and two children. chil-dren. Exact information concerning tho number of bodies still in the colony is still unobtainable. Many reported dead have been found at ranches near by and in Triuidad with friends. Buried Under Debris. Buried under a pile of smoldering bedding the bodies of eleven children and two women were discovered Into todav by a telephouo lineman who went to the Ludlow colonv to repair tho broken lines. Tho bodies wore lying in a rudo cave, the entrance of which was hidden under a bed. When tho burning bod fell over tho opening, lt.es women and children wero Buffocated. Tiqhtly clasped in tho arms of a little ginwas a big doll, and two of the othor children wero wrapped in each other's arms. Dr. E. M. Curay of Hastings, who visited the colony tins afternoon, stated tonight that there were at least fifteen bodies in the trenches. "Undertakers from here who left for Ludlow late today, turned hack when warned that there was danger of an outbreak. Greek, Italian and Austrian striking miners late today called on tho consuls for protection, according to a statement state-ment given out at union headquarters tonight. John McLennon also 'asked S. P. Morris, Denver representative of the American Red Cross, to assist him in the recovery of the bodies. Saloons Are Closed. All saloons in Trinidad wore closed at 6 o'clock tonight on order of Mayor DunJavy. At a meeting of local citizens at the chamber "of commerco quarters tonight, 8heriff J. F. Grisham afked assistance in the event conditions became worse. rlddlod tents of striking miners and set flro to tent colony. Four men, three women and seven children murdered. State not only falls to protect, but allows uniforms and ammunition of the commonwealth to destroy the lives of tho workers nnd their families. We shall be compelled com-pelled to call on volunteers In the name of humanity to defend these helpless people unless something: Is done. Tent colony burned to tbe ground. Message to White. A messaga also was sent to John P. White, International president of the union, asl:lntr him to urjo President Wilson Wil-son to use his power to protect helpless menr women and children from' beln slaughtered In southern Colorado. Messages nl vero sent to BOO editors throughout the country and to the local unions n Colorado. Lieutenant Governor Stephen Fitzgerald Fitzger-ald late today wired Governor E. M. Ammons Am-mons In Washington asklnc authority to call a special session of the legislature to decide on the matter of ordering the mllltla back Into the strike zono. The action of Fltzsrald was taken after General John Chaao had declined to order the mllltla Into the strike field again oh tho ground that there wero no fundn a valla hi o to meet the expenses. Tho lieutenant governor's telegram set forth the facta of the present situation In tho Ludlow district, so far as obtainable, obtain-able, without recommendation. I Accompanying this telegram were rec- i ommcndatlous from General Chase and citizens of the coal districts strongly -urging that nn extra session of the legislature legis-lature bo called to handle the situation. State officials here expressed the belief be-lief that a reply might nc received tonight to-night and stated that. If It was favorable the call would bo Ixsued tomorrow. General Chase Issued orders to the mllltla In tho Meld to permit strikers to remove their dead and wounded from the Ludlow Held without Interference. Horace N". Hawkins, attorney for the United Mine Workers of America, pivo out h list of drad on the strikers' Mdo. which -he had received by long-distanco telephone from Trinidad. Reports received by Frank E. Gove, attorney for tho Victor-American Fuel company, from an agent of the company, were to the effect that the bodies of 'leven women and two children had been located In a tunneU The location of the tunnel was not given. |