This is the Ludlow monument.  Jimmy and I took a scooter ride to blow the carbon out, and we always stop here to have a toke and to give our respect.

In 1913 Miners went on strike after accident after accident…terrible working conditions,  forced “script pay” (money that can only be used at the company store) working for 14-16hrs a day for pennies an hour.

The mining company kicked them out of the company “housing” without a chance to collect their personal belongings and into the coldest winter in Colorado history.

The United Mining workers union came to the peoples aid with tents and food.

The folks were immigrants, Mexican, Local Natives, and poor Europeans.

Since tossing them into the cold didn’t break them, the “Bosses” called in the state militia.
And private mercenaries.

They outfitted a train car with a gattling gun. They armored a truck and mounted it with a gattling gun as well. They called it the “Death car.”

They drove that up and down the road. Then they rolled the train car down the track and opened fire on the miners and their families.

Tents burned, and women and children choked to death hiding in dug out basments under the tents.Men were gunned down where they stood.
They didn’t hesitate to shoot children, laughed as the men mourned their dead wives and children.

People were murdered for wanting a better quality of life.

Today, a memorial stands in place of the burned tents and blood-stained snow.

And yet, no one was ever charged with such a hedious act of deparvity.

So, when people stand up wanting better working conditions, better pay, and hours… remember Ludlow.

It was only 120 yrs ago.