By 1910, the nation’s largest union, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), had been trying for nearly two decades to organize southern Colorado. The UMWA was an industrial union, meaning that it sought to incorporate all wage workers in and around the nation’s coal mines and coke ovens, no matter what job they did. UMWA-led strikes had halted production in southern Colorado in 1894 and again in 1903–1904, but both disputes resulted in defeat for the union. The mine disasters of 1910, though, offered the union an ideal opportunity. Casting itself as the mine workers’ savior; channeling widespread, deeply felt, but often incoherent discontent among southern Colorado’s mine workforce; and emphasizing the counterbalance that labor unions and government regulation would give to mighty mining corporations that had demonstrated little regard for the employees’ well-being, the UMWA roared back to life in the wake of the 1910 explosions. In this letter, Robert Uhlich, a local union leader, warned state officials that workers might soon take up arms against corporate rule. Uhlich’s letter proved prophetic: Starting in 1913, mine workers attempting to unionize under the UMWA squared off against coal companies and state militia. The result was the deadliest labor conflict in U.S. history.
Trinidad Miners’ Union, Western Federation of Miners
No. 198
P.O. Box 387
Trinidad, Colo., July 17, 1910
Hon. Edwin V. Brake
Deputy Labor Commissioner of Colorado
Dear Sir,
Friday, 17th. July 1910, our Organizer John Ferko stood on the ground of the Station Segundo (Colo. and Wyoming Railroad) awaiting the Train for Trinidad, Colo. He had his Ticket already boughth [sic]. A short time before the Train arrived came the Deputy Bublio and told him to walk to Trinidad. Our organizer protested, but he had to walk. Bublio told him, never to come to Segundo.
I beg you now for advice what action we shall take. The Ticket is in our Office. Surely, there must be somewhere be had justice, do we live outside the World? Even in Russia is more liberty as in Southern Colorado. There may be bloodsheet on[e] day in Southern Colorado. The miners are aroused against this System which exist here, All over this part, they talk Strike, till yet, we could prevent a class war but it on[e] Day, we will loose [sic] control over the miners, and when this unorganized go on Strike, it will be a terrible lesion [sic], showing to the World the lawlessness of the Coal Companies and of the political offizers [sic]. Everyon[e] in Southern Colo. working in and around the mine will go on Strike, no matter if they are organized or not. Sunday the 3th [sic] July, there stood 18 Deputies and Watshmen [sic] before our meeting hall to spy out all members. Over 20 miners have been killed since the Primero explosion and many kripplet. Wath [sic] shall be done?
Awaiting your answer.
Respectfully yours,
Robert Uhlich
Financial Secr.
Box 387,
Trinidad, Colo.
By Order of Trinidad Miners Union 198. W.F.M.
Source: Roberth Uhlich to Edwin V. Brake, July 17, 1910, folder 4, box 26732, John F. Shafroth Papers, Colorado State Archives, Denver.
Questions