Mrs. Martha Todd relates the early days of her family, who all emigrated from Scotland. Despite poverty, she fondly remembers her childhood among friendly neighbors in Taltec (possibly Toltec). Born in Dawson, New Mexico in 1904, she vividly recalls the coal strike beginning in 1913 and a mine explosion with fatalities in 1914. She describes winter in Floresta, Colorado with 2 feet of snow and hand-made skis. Many miners were hard drinkers, and her father (Alexander Marshall) often assembled his work-crew in the saloons. During the coal-mining boom, Walsenburg had many thriving businesses. She worries about future prospects in the area for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She recalls dancing in the street on Armistice Day, 1918. Her mother witnessed a speech by Mother Jones from the courthouse steps during the 1913 strike, and at least 2 young friends were shot down in the street. Another strike followed in 1927, called by the IWW.
description
Mrs. Martha Todd relates the early days of her family, who all emigrated from Scotland. Despite poverty, she fondly remembers her childhood among friendly neighbors in Taltec (possibly Toltec). Born in Dawson, New Mexico in 1904, she vividly recalls the coal strike beginning in 1913 and a mine explosion with fatalities in 1914. She describes winter in Floresta, Colorado with 2 feet of snow and hand-made skis. Many miners were hard drinkers, and her father (Alexander Marshall) often assembled his work-crew in the saloons. During the coal-mining boom, Walsenburg had many thriving businesses. She worries about future prospects in the area for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She recalls dancing in the street on Armistice Day, 1918. Her mother witnessed a speech by Mother Jones from the courthouse steps during the 1913 strike, and at least 2 young friends were shot down in the street. Another strike followed in 1927, called by the IWW.
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