It is a privilege and a duty even by sacrifice
to advance our priceless cause.
I am therefore ready to receive the sentence this court should declare itself
without either authority, right or justification to impose.
-John R Lawson
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Tuesday May 4, 1915
Trinidad, Colorado - Strikers' Hero John Lawson Found Guilty, Given Life Sentence
Strikers Policy Committee of U. M. W. A.
John McLennan, President District 15; E. L. Doyle, Secretary-Treasurer District 15;
John R. Lawson, International Board Member from District 15; Frank J. Hayes, International Vice-President
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John Lawson was found guilty of the murder of the deputized company mine guard, John Nimmo, yesterday in Trinidad, Colorado. The jury spared him the death penalty, and imposed a sentence of life in prison. Before the sentencing, Lawson issued a long statement which Hellraisers will publish in full tomorrow.
From South Dakota's Lead Daily Call of May 3rd:
LAWSON GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER
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Jury Arrived at a Verdict
This Afternoon and Fixes Penalty
at Life Imprisonment
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By Associated Press-
TRINIDAD, COLO., May 3.-The jury trying the case of John R. Lawson, charged with the murder of John Nemmo [Nimmo], a deputy sheriff, on October 25, 1913, this afternoon returned to court with a verdict of first degree murder, fixing the penalty at life imprisonment.
John R. Lawson was charged with the murder of John Nimmo, a deputy of Las Animas county who was killed in a battle between deputies and striking coal miners near Ludlow on October 25, 1913. Lawson is the member of the International executive board of the United Mine Workers of America for District No. 15. He was one of the prominent leaders in the recent coal miners' strike in Colorado.
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[Photograph added.]
Below the fold we offer press coverage of the trial leading up to the verdict.
From the Chicago Day Book of May 3rd:
From the Lead Daily Call of April 30, 1915:
JOHN R. LAWSON TAKES THE STAND
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Labor Leader Goes on the Stand
in His Own Defense Today.
By Associated Press-
John Lawson with Louie Tikas during the strike.
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TRINIDAD, COLO., April 30.-John R. Lawson, who is on trial for the alleged murder of John Nimmo, a deputy sheriff, in the battle of Ludlow on October 25, 1913, took the stand today in his own defense. Previously John Barulie testified that he had driven Charles Snyder and Pat Murphy to Ludlow that afternoon and to the tent colony, arriving at the latter place between 6:30 and 7 o'clock, and that no shots had been fired at them; that he did not see Lawson until he had reached the colony. Snyder, who had been called by the state previously, testified that he had reached the vicinity about 4 o'clock and that he had seen Lawson coming from the railroad cut, where the strikers had been stationed during the battle.
Lawson testified that he had counselled the strikers to obey the law and to refrain from violence. He said that he had imported arms and ammunition to the tent colony after he had received legal advice to the effect that it was permissible to defend it.
----------
[Photograph added.]
From the Lead Daily Call of May 1, 1915:
LAWSON CASE IS NEAR END
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John Lawson with Mother Jones
It Will Probably Be Given to Jury
Late Today---
Crimes For Which He May Be Convicted
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TRINIDAD, COLO., May 1.-John R. Lawson, the labor leader, charged with murder in connection with the killing of Deputy Sheriff Nimmo at Ludlow during the strike battle of October 25, 1913, may be convicted of first or second degree murder, voluntary manslaughter or acquitted, according to the instructions given by the judge to the jury. The instructions preceded the closing arguments of counsel. The case may be given to the jury late today.
Assistant Attorney General West, in his argument, asked that the jury impose the death penalty, if it should find Lawson guilty of first degree murder.
----------
[Photograph added.]
From the Wichita Beacon of April 26, 1915:
~~~~~~~~~~
SOURCE
Lead Daily Call
(Lead, South Dakota)
-Apr 30, 1915
http://www.newspapers.com/...
-May 1, 1915
http://www.newspapers.com/...
-May 3, 1915
http://www.newspapers.com/...
IMAGES
Colorado Coalfield Strike of 1913-14,
Strikers Policy Committee
https://archive.org/...
John Lawson with Olive and Fern
from Day Book of April 23, 1915, Last Edition
http://www.newspapers.com/...
Principals in the Lawson trial from the
Chicago Day Book of May 3, 1915
http://www.newspapers.com/...
John Lawson with Louie Tikas during the strike.
http://ludlowsymposium.wordpress.com/...
John Lawson & Mother Jones,
Wichita Beacon, Kansas, Apr 22, 1915
http://www.newspapers.com/...
John R Lawson at Ludlow followed by guard,
Wichita Beacon, Apr 26, 1915
http://www.newspapers.com/...
See also:
John Lawson Trial + JayRaye
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Battle of Ludlow + JayRaye + Oct 2013
http://www.dailykos.com/...
The American Labor Year Book, Volume 1
Rand School of Social Science, 1916
https://books.google.com/...
The Lawson Case
https://books.google.com/...
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Dedicated to John Lawson and Louie Tikas,
Heroes of the Colorado Coalfield Strike of 1913-14
Working Class Hero - John Lennon
Yes , A Working Class Hero is something to be
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
-John Lennon
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