1907 Labor Problems

Gold discovered at Goldfield, Nevada in 1902 attracted national attention of miners, gamblers, speculators and others. However a series of labor disputes, 1906-1908 created by the action of Western Federation of Miners and International Workers of the World and other unions also drew national attention. Governor Sparks sent two requests to President Roosevelt for Federal assistance, asserting that civil authority had collapsed in Nevada and labor disturbances beyond the control of the state were in evidence.

Troops were dispatched, but found no necessity to restore order and remained only long enough for the state to adopt measures for its protection.
Comment by DET

Goldfield, Nevada, Dec 7.- At 12:30 this afternoon an engine and six cars, the first section of the train which is conveying United States troops to the Goldfield camp, arrived in Goldfield.

There was no demonstration. Stepping on the platform, Col. Reynolds, who is in command of the soldiers, found that a committee representing the Mine Owners Association had been awaiting his arrival.

A brief consultation was held between the commander and the operators, following which the entire party stepped into an automobile and started in search of a suitable camp.

Goldfield breathed a sigh of relief this morning when day broke without any act of violence having been committed, during the night. It was feared on all hands that anticipation of the coming of the troops last night would be taken advantage of by the lawless to make a demonstration. The worst fear was from fire. The wind blew a gale all night and the air was full of the first snow of the winter. A citizen guard had been posted throughout the town and along the water and light lines several miles beyond the town limits.

The strain was tense and few slept, awaiting the break of day and the arrival of the promised troops, which were scheduled to arrive in the early morning. The troop train, failed to arrive on schedule time and word was received that it would reach here at noon, but with a bright sky and the troops only a few hours away complete quiet prevailed. The streets were thronged with people as merry as on a gala day. In the Miners' Union Hall, however, the scene was different, for there the throng was depressed and surly. The hall was packed all night and this morning the street in front of the hall was full of anxious and weary looking men.

The operators and business men of Goldfield are pleased that there is promise of the establishment of a permanent garrison at this point.

Such an assurance has been received from Washington, where the advisability of a garrison for Nevada, has been discussed from time to time.

Nevada has more Indians than any other State or Territory in the Union, there being 17,000 at the various agencies, but there are no Federal troops nearer than San Francisco.

The fact that labor troubles are constantly breaking out and that there is no State militia makes the necessity of a garrison in Nevada all the more pressing.