Biography
John R. Lawson was a United Mine Workers of America organizer and a leader of the 1913-14 Colorado Coalfield War, which culminated in the Ludlow Massacre of April 20, 1914 in which Colorado National Guard troops killed roughly two dozen striking miners and their families. In 1915 Lawson was singled out for prosecution and convicted of the murder of guard John Mimms during the strike, drawing a life sentence at the Colorado State Penitentiary in Cañon City. The Colorado Supreme Court reversed the conviction in April 1918, and the charges were ultimately dropped.
Case
Colorado State Penitentiary
