Casper Daily Tribune Newspaper, June 23, 1922, Page 1

AUTHORITIES ARE BLAMED FOR MINE MASSACRE Murder Horrors Following Surrender of Men Revealed TWO KILLED IN WEST VIRGINIA STAKE FIOT BY NON-UNION MEN Blood Runs When Union Sympathizers Mob Car; Two Shot to Death in CLARFSBURG, W. Va., Tune 23.—Two men _ were killed, a deputy sheriff suf- fered a broken arm and a doxsen other persons received minor injuries, when a mob attacked an interurban traction car carrying nomunion miners and offi- cera of the Hudson Coal company, guarded by “eputy sheriffs, from this city to the Lewis mine near Reynolds ville this morning. The mob stopped the car, pulled off the trolley and swarmed aboard. Two of the atiack- ing party were shot as they crawled through the windows. The mine was operated on an open shop basis Mon- day. e BPAIRMONT, W. Va. June 23.—A crowd of men which the autzorities es principal streets of Fairmont this morning, across the Monongahela river to the east side of the city. County officials watched the situation on reports that they were headed for working coal mines near North Fain mont. Later it was reported that the marchers had passed working mines at Norwood without making any effort to disturb the miners. It was said the men were going to Montana, W. Va., to attend a union meeting. CLARKSBURG, W. Vs, June 23— The Harrison county court late today authorized Sheriff Eotol Young “to deputize 1,000 men to assist him to preserve order in confection with the mniners’ strike in this region. The court took up the question after it received reports of an attack by # mob on a street car carrying non- Che Casper Daily = rine! th | BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IS PLEDGED BY G. 0. P. CANDIDATE CASPER, WYO., FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1922. PROGRAM COMPLETED FOR BIG FOURTH OF JULY FETE T0 BE STAGED AT THE FAIR GROUNDS Fuil program of events for the giant Fourth of July cele- bration to be staged under the auspices of the Standard Em- association together ployes’ Athletic with prizes posted by Casper merchants and individuals was announced today and reveals a day crowded with entertainment. The program will begin at the Natrona county fairgrounds at 9:30 o’clock union miners and officials of the Bnd- Hubbell, Wet eon Coal company. Two men were killed in the fight. ‘CHALLENGE IN THREE WEEKS NEW YORK, June 23.—The New York state athletic commission to- day set July 10, as a time limit for Jack Dempsey, heavyweight cham- pion to accept or decline the chal- lenge of Harry Wills, New Orleans negro. Dempsey must accept Wills’ chal- lenge by that date or his title will be thrown open to competitica in this state, an official of the commis- sion explained. Should Dempsey ac- cept, it would not prevent his carry- ing through other fights already planned, tho official said. Noted Author Is Late Convert To Cause of ‘Drys’ NEW YORK, June 23.—Sir Arthur) Conan Doyle, author, who leaves to- morrow for Englarid on the Adriatic is a: convert to prohibition. He de- clared today he would work to bring | prohibition to his home land, although | + would haye to forego public hes on the topic because of his psychic investigations. “There {s little drinking here today compared with what there used'to be,’ he said. “Today if you want Hquor you haye to go and find it. Formerly it came out looking for you.” no! would appointment here. | Pennock and Ruel. CHEYENNE DISAPPOINTED. |“ CHEYENNE, Wyo. June 23—An- that President Harding unable to leave Washington during the summer caused keen dis- It had been hoped that he would attend the Frontier days celebration here July 25, 26, 27 and 28 § precedented beom. complete program for the day follows: 2.50 a. m., 50-yard dash—First prize $28 fishing pole, Tripenny Drug com- pany; sa ond prize $5 pass book, Wyo- ming theater; third prize, one necktie, CampbeliJobnson company. Shot- put—First, electric YOUNG WIFE SHOOTS SELF, NUMBER 218. | Plea of John W. Hay for State Economy, Through Bureau Consolidation and _ | Other Measures Before a well crowded and enthusiastic audience which in- cluded leading Republicans, workers in various industries, candidates for office and prominent business and professional men of Casper, John W. Hay of Rock Springs, candidate for government, delivered a straightforward speech at the court- house last night. in which he outlined the necessity ‘for in- Harding} augurating a business administration im the state and explained what he intended to do if the voters of Wyo ming selected him the next governor. His speech, which was delivered: without oratorical thrills, showed ihe sincerity and earnestness of the man’ and created the impression amorg the audience that the candidate was 2) successful business man who intended to put into effect a business adminis tration should he be elected. When! he spoke of the necessity of obtaining @ dollar’s worth of road for every dol lar expended on the highways of the state, the audience broke into spon- taneous and continued applaure. At the beginning of his address Mr. Hay enlogizd the constructive work being done by the Young Men’ apa Tican club, under whose atisp! meeting 1 held last night. Hes: spoke of the period of unrest and pov erty which was prevalent in the Unit- ed States when McKinley wes elected President and recalled the similarity of| Wins Support : conditions when President took office, mentioning that follow ing the return of the Republican party to power in both cases, business picked up, industries which had lain dorman resumed activity, and poverty and Want became scarce, where waste wa Fampant in 1918, efficiency was estab Ushed and the country, under the pres ent administration, is en the borde:.o {an era of prosperity. | ‘The revival of the war finance bn reau through the efforts of President Harding was the means of saving the livestock business of the state of Wyo ming, according to the speaker, for { was through this act that the W. lining stockmen’s loan company wes formed, with a loantng power of $10, 1 090,000. Later the joint tand stock ] ' |\Death Toll May Never Be Known in Mine Debauch; Men Guilty of ‘Atrocities in Killing Prisoners Boast of Exploits and Citizens Joke of Murder Tales HEERIN, Ill, June 23.—(By The Associated Press.) — | numerous fatalities, “Bloody” Williamson county, so-called because of many acts of violence in recent tir .s, most of them accompanied by action is expected in Lester strip mine when after striking union miners hac ed the sixty or more strikebr operating the mines. An tnquost in to the weaths waa ©, pected today, Coroner McGown, say that he hoped today to have time get to thie feature of the affair. Ther was no indication that a grand jury would be summoned, although this was a possibility, for it was said that officials doubted, if they could obtain evidence which would be of any value. So far as the number of dead was concerned, there still was little but speculation. A score were in morgues. newspaper men previously had coun’ ed 26 bodies in the woods and roads; one man died in a hospital; Frank Farrington, state president of the miners, announced that his official re- ports showed 44 killed; citizens still brought in reports of bodies lying around the country: but through all of it there was no way of fixing a defi nite number. - In the wounded list there were six- teen in the Herrin hospital, three re ported in the Carbondale hospital, and a number of others—union striking miners—betieved to be lying in their homes. There was little question that the number of dead never will be known. A dozen or so were tbiieved to be at the bottom of a pond. No one seemed inclined to drag the pond. No searching parties have been organized to seek bodies in the woods. All re- ports, whether from miners or from strikebrenkers or mine operators— agree that he killh:gs really were a tmassacre—that the victims were shot down in cold blocd after they had put up their flag and surrendered them- selves and their arms to the attack- ing forces. Many persons in the act of judgment. rightful poten came into existenco, partly, t the eqPhest efforts and busi ness acumen of John Hay. Whero the loan company oftered short tirde loan to stockmen, the land bank offers long (Continued on Page Hight) fy. Wiltiamson county.” “Inthe morgue, women and children, as they passed through, commented on the accuracy of the ‘brotight down these victims. Men who openty boast that they HUSBAND HELD FOR PROBE Mammoth Wool Sale Planned For Cokeville CHEYENNE, Wyo., yane 23—One of the largest wool’ sales scheduled in Wyoming this year will be held at Cokeville, Lincoln county, June 30 and July 1, when 800,000 pounds will be offered under ‘the sealed bid system: Whether prices offered are satisfac tory will be decided by a committee representing the Lincoln County Woo growers’ association. Rapid Rise In Mexican Pete To Be Probed | automatic lodged in the head. After Suicide of Mrs. New angles surrounding th the coroner’s inquest is held. ties, pending action by the coroner's] jury. At 6:40 p. m. Thursday police were notified) by terrified neighbors that the body of Mrs. Dennis had been found in the closet, a bullet from a .32 a thorough investigation by Chief Alexander Nisbet, Captain Clayton, Undersheriff Seidel and other officials a marked difference of opinion regard- ing circumstances of the case was noted. At the time of the arrival of the po: lice, Everett Dennis was found in the NEW YORK, June 23.—The com- mittee on business conduct of the New York Stock exchange Thurs- when GOMPERS IS RE-ELECTED 1 D GETS MEETING PORTLAN CINCINNATI, Obio, June 23. — (By The Associated Press.}—Samuel Gompers today was-reelected pres!- dent of the American Federation of Labor without opposition. An un- imous ballot was cast. Fight incumbent vice presidents also were re-elected. The only oon- test developed when Thomas Fia- herty, of Washington, representing the postoffice clerks union was nominated to oppose the re-election | et Jacob +Fischer—of—Indianapolis, president of the barbers union as seventh vice president. Fischer, however, was returned In a second and minor contest, Daniel J. Tobin, of Indianapolis, president of the teamsters union, won reelection as treasurer over Joseph A. Franklin of Kansas City, Kan., president of the boilermakers union. ‘The election of officers was com- pleted except election of fraternal out opposition of Frank “Morrison, of Washington, as secretary. He fs a member of the printers’ union and has been secretary for 25 years. CINCINNATI, June 23.—(By The Associated Press.}—fortiand, Ore., today was chosen over Houston, Texas, as the seat of the next con vention of the American Federation of Labor which will be held in Oc with-aj-tober, 1923, -delegatea,—by_ the re-election tober, 1 = room adjoining the closet. According to the story told police by Dennis, he had quarreled with his wife on numer- ous occasions and only last week, when she found him at the American Legion carnival in the company of anoiher woman they separated. It seems that the wife was unable to stand the separation for Thurs- day, she begged Dennis to drop their dispute and visit her that evening after work at her apartment He consented to do #0, and entered ber apartment to talk over the terms of a settlement “T believed she had a gun fn her possession, and so I asked her for it,” Dennis told police Thursday night. According to his version, the words ‘were no sooner out of his mouth, than she rushed into the closet, climbed upon @ steamer trunk, reached for the automatic and shot herself, the bullet pusuing a downward course from the temple toward the jaw. Dennis, it is waid, described a pro- fuston of blood which he says shot from the wound in her head. Careful investigation by Undersheriff Seidel disclosed only a small pool of blood on the floor of the closet near where her head had rested. Her husband is known to have been the only eye witness to the affair. However, a woman in the apartment next to Mre. Dennis’ eat near the par- tition between the two rooms and d rectir behin@ the death She heard no shot at the time the tragedy is euid to have taken place, although{ closet | Grace Dennis, Wife of Railroad Employe e violent death Thursday eve-| ning of Mrs. Grace Dennis, when she is said to have com-| mitted suicide in a clothes closet in her apartment at 153 North Durbin street, will be revealed sometime today, when} { | Her husband, Everett Dennis, | an employe of the Northwestern railway, is held by authori-| she sat there for several minutes both | before and after the given time. The fact that a numter of friends} aad relatives were in the yard before| the apartment At theetime of the} shooting, and heard no shot may be| explained by the fact that the clothes | and closet door muffled the sound. | Police were puzzled over the fact | that no powder bucns could be found | on the woman's temple until it was! disclosed this morning that a smoke- less brand of powder was used. H This morning found Dennis confi-| dent that the claim of suicide would be upheld by the coroner's jury. He alleges that his siory is “straight”| and hangs together in every way. | Sheriff Joe Marquis, recently re-| cently returned from conducting a} posse into the badlands west of Cas-| per, made a thorough examination of | the body this morning, and will prob-/ ably give his opinion at the inquest. Authorities are about equally divided as to the probable outcome of the in quest. 1 EX-MINISTER TO WASHINGTON IS EAD IN CHINA SHANGHAI, June 23.—(By The As- sociated Press.)—Wu Ting-Fang, for- mer minister to Washington, more re- cently foreign minister for Sun Yat Sen in the disrupted southern Repub- lican government at Canton, died at Canton this morning, according to a Reuter dispatch. Wu, an outstanding politice snd purisprudence of China tee many remained. at last ports, loyal to Sun Yat-Sen and was believed to have fled Canton with the| deposed south China president. The] Reuter dispatch gave no. details. leader in the years, Authorities Seek Further Explanation of | Falls Asleep Beside- Track; Hit by Train LANDER, Wyo., June 23,—Leroy Eustace, 6-year-old son of Oliver Eustace, was severely cut about the head and face and otherwise bruised when he fell asleep beside % was preparing for what official ttion with the massacre at the en 27 and 45 persons were slain \were in the attacking force related with apparent pride the stories of what * wartimes would be called brutality. @ story of the attack on C. K. Me Vell, strikebreakers’ superintend was related by many. McDowell, ‘nly one leg, was beaten to death ‘ones defore being riddled with according to persons who say © e\myitnesses. <dsed to march with the other Prisners who were tied together and told to run down the road between limes of attackers who poured buck: shot, rifle and pistol bullets into them 4s they fled. saying that he'd just as soon die where ha was. He died where he was said .o have made this state ment. . The mine safe war looted and cne man, with some $1,500 in bills, stoud with a semi-circle of men around him and dealt out the bills like cards, ac cording to wounded men who were there. The correspondent saw men wound ed almost to death, kicked around in the scorching sun in dusty roads. He saw men chased through fields like rabbits by shouting persons who open- ed fire, once catching him accidentally between two fires, Surrounded by armed men, he saw a knife plunged Into the throst of a wounded man wh} in his dying breath gasped a plea “In the name of my mother, in the name of your mother, in the name of our God, give me water,” only to re- ceive laughs and jibes such as: “Where you're going you won't seo water,” as a reply. Mothers carried babies “into the morgues and up to piles of bodies in the roads with such remarks as: “Take shooters ~who],, @ look at what your papa did, kid.” He watched a man walk to the bed- county uphold the slaughter as /side of a dying mati and curse him Citizens hand jeer at hin gathering on street corners last night |jast. m aa he breathed, his and today laughed and joked over the | nght area was tr: affair and proudiy boasted that “some | there was not aa of these ays people will realize that it] bathy for a vic ‘doesn’t pay to try to Mteak @ sttike! neomed to be that Through it all, although the tim. served slaughter and hat these had received tt. Mew of the dead could be positively identified. Most of them had been rifled of all effects. After tying piled in the morgues yesterday, they were embalmed last night. Scores watched the procese ali through the night, making unprintable remarks about the bodies. That today would bring official ac- tion of some kind was undoubted. ‘That this action would bring little in the way of results was the prediction of every One in touch with the situa- tion. The order of Governor Small last night to hold 1,000 men of the militia}. in readinoss in Chicago, was greeted on the street here with sarcastic com- ment A member of the police force told the correspondent that if troops were sent here he'd take “the night police force and clean them out.” In- quiry developed that he was the night police force himself. The request of the governue for an offictal report brought more sar- casm, the gist of which seemed to be that there was nothing to report offi cially. Official statements Everyone talked of were scarce. the fight and the railroad track and awoke to be |many freely related their own experi- struck on the head by the steps of the waycar. It is believed that he was aroused by the passing train and sat up quickly in confusion as to his predicament. Numerous stitches were required to close cuts in bis head and face. $<» H earing On Yard Charges Delayed WASHINGTON, June 23.—Post- ponement of hearings to be held at Chicago, Peoria and South Omaba on complaints ot lItvestock dealers against yardage charges made by the stockyards at these places was an- nounced by Secretary Wallace. In- stead of the dates previously sched wed, the hearings will be held at Chicago July 26; at Peoria July 6 and at South Omaha July 10. The complaint of the livestock men was made against the service and weigh- ing charge assessed at the yards in addition to the regular yardage fee which they ‘assert to be unjust and discriminatory. ences, yet none even knew of it offi cially, The kiled simply “dropped dead” it was explained when official statements were asked. No one was murdered, it was said--officially. It was remarked that heve had been 27 killed here since Januery 1. Early this morning jrveral news. paperme. were priv: informed that plas were afoot + ™ @ num- ber of mines which in Sre. is years had labor troubles, The correspond- ents were told to go to a certain mine at 1 o'clock this morning, they would see what was termed a “party.” Many automobiles carrying men passed in the direction of the mine, but there was no fire and no trouble. All that remains of the Lester mine is a heap of ashes, for it was set on fire shortly after the attackers cap tured it. Mr, Lester, the owner, was reported to have come here from Chicago but no one has been able to/ find him this morning. Farty today Sheriff Thaxton told newspapermen that the situation was ‘well in hand and there was no danger. That was the only official statement in the early hours of the day HERRIN, Il., June 23.—(By The As- (Continued on Page Fight) COUNTY SHOULD FOR AID, CLAM PROBE LAUNCHED Special Grand Jury to Follow Inquest; Labor Secretary Davis Urges Vigorous Prosecution WAUKEGAN, IIL, June 23. —(By The Associated Press.) —Gov. Len Small at noon to- day received a telegram from Col. Samuel N. Hunter, repre- sentative of the adjutant gen- eral at Herrtn. Placing the blame for the rioting which led to the massacre of more than 25 non-union workers on he shoulders of the Willia 0" ty officials. Eesqiees Colonel Hunter who was sent to Her. rin & week ago to report to the gover nor and Adjutant General Black on the situation, told the governor in te- day's message that he at no time thought the Williamson comnty an- thorities could handie the situation and that they should have asked for troops before the rioting started. HERRIN, m. .—(By TI sociated Press).—Official inveatineting of the mine war which killed from 2T to 45 near here, began today in re- sponse to insistent demands from Gov- ernor Len Small for action by local authorities, when Coroner McGowan announced that an inquest would be held Immediately and State's Attorney De Louis L. Duty stated that a special grand jury would be convened from the inquest to investigate the massa ore. The state's attorney expressed doubt that any definite results would be ob- tained through tho investigation, say- ing that it was virtually impossible to obtatm evidence. Ho insisted, however. that every ponsible step would be tak. en and telexraphed Governér Bipall an official statement to that effect Mr. Duty said that the disaster could bd blamed directly on the coal operators, who imported non-union strikebreakers when they knew that such action would lead to war. “This massacre was due entirely to these efforts! to go againat the known foelinge” of this county,” ho sald “Thue have been many disorders here in the past. There have been many mine troubles. All have re- sulted tn bloodshed. It Is well known that a strike cannot be broken. in Wiltiamson county. Yet non-union strikebreakers were sent in here.” Herrin was absolutely quiet today. Someone found a couple of St. Louis newspapers and a crowd immediately gathered to read about the massacre, Few out-of-town papers are availahl most of these having been brought 1: by traveling salesmen. It was believed the inquest would be given only a formal start and thar it then would be adjourned for a week or 50, CHICAGO, June 23.—New threats of viclence have been made in the Williamson county mine field within the last 24 hours, Dr. F. C. Honnold, secretary of the Ilinois Coal Opera- tors’ association, declared today. He said pumpmen at three mines of the Madison Coal company had been threatened that unless they quit work they would “get the same dose we gave the strikebreakers in Herrin." PROSECUTION OF SLAYERS URGED. WASHINGTON, June 23.—Declara- tion that those responsible for the Southern IMinois mine disorders shovld be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law was made tv Jay by Secretary of Labor Davis in « statement issued after consultation with President Hard- ing. The secretary said one of the untor- tunate features of the disorders, which he added, the department of: labor deeply deplored, was that the death of the score or more workers accom. plished nothing toward settlement of the coal strike. WASHINGTON, June 23.-—The coal strike situation and particularly the mine disorders in southern Mlinois was understood-to have largely occu pied the attention of the cabinet at to- day's: meeting. THREE RUSTLERS SEIZED SHERIFF MAKES ARRESTS Long chases into the wild coun try are becoming regular diet with Sheriff Joe Marquis and his depu- ties. Charles Royce, aiteged cattle kill er, Charles Bentley and Ben Ewing accomplices, are under arrest at the county jail as the result of x long chase into the country west of Cas. per, Thursday afternoon and early Friday morning. Upon receipt of word yesterday that Archie Sanford, rancher, mi ed two head of cattle, a large posse in two machines was immediately Gispatched to the scene of the kill ing. Careful inquiry and painstak ing trailing brought the men to the tumbled down cabin, of Bentley and wing, the heart of the bad lands. A thorough search was made, and as the men were about to leave for in further search for thetr quarry, a small trap door tn the ceiling was found and opened. Boyce was placed under arrest for cattle killing and the owners of the cabin ustody charged with man wanted b t law Boyce’s motive for killing instead of stealing k is unknown, but the penalty is the same either way. ken into ssisting « HAVE APPEALED