M. F. Bowers facts for kids

M. F. Bowers was the sheriff of El Paso County, Colorado, from 1894 to 1896. Before becoming sheriff, Bowers worked as a night marshal in the town of Altman, Colorado.

The Cripple Creek Miners' Strike of 1894

M. F. Bowers is best known for his role in the Cripple Creek miners' strike of 1894. This was a time when mine workers stopped working to ask for better pay and working conditions. Bowers tried to get the governor of Colorado, Davis H. Waite, to send in the state militia (a group of soldiers who help keep order).

Bowers' Early Actions

Bowers told the governor that the situation in the Cripple Creek area was much worse than it actually was. He hoped this would make the governor send in the soldiers quickly. About 300 state troops arrived, but their leader, General T. J. Tarsney, found the area was calm. He then sent his soldiers back to their barracks.

Bowers then acted on his own. He arrested the mayor and town marshal of Altman, along with several miners. He hoped this would make the striking miners lose their spirit. However, after a quick trial, all of them were found not guilty.

Forming a Private Force

Later, Bowers secretly met with the mine owners. He agreed to take a large sum of money from them. He used this money to hire and equip a group of 125 men. These men were supposed to act as special deputies. Their job was to protect workers who would cross the picket lines and take the place of the striking miners.

News of this secret agreement soon reached the miners, and they were very upset. On May 25, 1894, Bowers' deputies tried to attack a camp where the striking miners were staying. But the deputies quickly ran away when an explosion happened at a nearby mine.

That same night, the mine owners offered to pay for even more deputies. They wanted to hire another 1,200 men. Bowers agreed to create this larger force. He hired men from all over Colorado, many of whom were known for causing trouble.

Governor Waite Steps In

Governor Waite found out about Bowers' large private force. He ordered Bowers to break up the group of more than 1,300 deputies. However, Bowers did not follow the governor's order.

A few days later, the strike ended with an agreement between the miners and the mine owners. But Bowers had lost control of his private force. These 'deputies' then started causing trouble in the local towns. They made the citizens feel unsafe.

Governor Waite had to act again. He ordered the state militia to come back and restore law and order. Bowers argued with the general in charge of the state troops about who was in control. While they were arguing, Bowers' 'deputies' tried to attack the miners' camp again. The state militia quickly stepped in. Their fast action stopped what could have been a very violent conflict.