Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1893 — COLORADO’S CRISIS. [ARTICLE]

COLORADO’S CRISIS.

There has been serious trouble in Denver and throughout the mining regions tributary to that city. The decline in the price of silver finally compelled the practical abandonment of all further production of the metal and the thovsands of miners, in a large number of cases penniless, were turned loose to drift elsewhere in the search for employment, and the necessaries of life, that it was no longer possible to obtain from their former employers. Naturally they drifted to Denver, and the city soon became overrun with thousands of able bodied,starving men, unable to.find. employment and also unable to go elsewhere in search of it. The situation became desperate, and at the beginning of August measures for their relief became imperative. The parks of the city were converted into camps, and the men of wealth contributed liberally to a fund for the purchase of

food and supplies, Yet in spite of these preparations great suffering resulted. The crowd was unique and composed of all grades of humanity from the common tramp to the giant miner who had squandered his wages recklessly, and the young man lately arrived from the East “to see the West.” Hundreds of miners bitterly confessed to their own improvidence, stating that they had for years been making from $3 to $4 per day, and had squandered it recklessly without any attempt to save for a rainy day. Their pride was completely broken down as they accepted their rations thankfully. Several cases of fainting in the line while waiting to be served occurred, and investigation showed that the men had not tasted food for several days. As fast, as transportation could be obtained the men departed for various places in the East. Strange as it will appear there was but little lawlessness and scarcely any brawls or fights. Good order was the rule, which Of itself was a substantial evidence of

the good character of the majority of the men. The question where to go to find work was a matter of grave consideration. Indiana’s prodigal sons were numerous, and one was heard to say: “I tell you what I am going to do. lam going back to old Indiana where my old friends are, and ask them to help me.", Hoosiers think they are having pretty hard times themselves, nowadays, but such scenes as these have not afflicted any of our centers of population as yet, while great plenty is the rule in our rural communities. Few will doubt that the starving miner referred to found a generous welcome to a bounteous feast on his return. Yet Colorado is not alone in the matter of improvident laboring men. The better paid artisans and laborers in our own Hoosier cities are notoriously prodigal in the disposition of their incomes, and a very small percentage of these classes could maintain themselves for a single month in case they were suddenly deprived of their regular employment. If the financial troubles of the time shall duly impress this class with the importance of a radical change in their manner of life, the calamities that have afflicted us will not have been altogether without recompense.