Mr. Gresham to Baron
Fava.
Department of State,
Washington
,
April 18,
1895
.
No. 20.]
Excellency: Referring to previous
correspondence and your oral inquiries relating to the killing of
Italian miners near Walsenburg, Colorado, I have the honor to inclose a
copy of a letter just received from the governor of that State reporting
the action thus far taken by its authorities.
Accept, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Governor McIntire
to Mr. Gresham.
State of Colorado,
Executive
Office Denver
,
April 12, 1895
.
Sir: Replying to your letter of April 5, I
have the honor to say that I have not yet been able to ascertain
positively anything further as to the nationality of the three
laborers lynched at Walsenburg. I have questioned the district
attorney of the proper district, but he was unable to give me more
definite information than that [Page 948] which I already had and telegraphed you on
March 19. He assured ine that he would gain the information as early
as possible and place it at my disposal. In the same consultation
with the district attorney the propriety of calling a special term
of the district court for the purpose of investigating the lynching
was discussed.
It was impossible at that time to arrive at a definite conclusion
without an interview with the judge of that district, and since, as
I am informed, the judge and district attorney are constantly
engaged in other counties of the district. I am assured that as soon
as the terms which must be held under the law have been disposed of
the judge and district attorney will take up this matter and dispose
of it as speedily as possible. The disposition shown by the district
attorney and, as I am informed by him, by the judge of the district
mentioned, is such that I am satisfied that all necessary measures
for the arrest and punishment of the guilty parties will be taken,
so far as lies within their jurisdiction. So far everything possible
has been done looking to the protection of Italian citizens and to
the discovery of the guilty parties.
I have, etc.,
Albert W. McIntire, Governor.
