Labor Pains

Labor Pains [[Start|Welcome to Ludlow]]

Welcome to Ludlow, Colorado! The year is 1913. You are Joseph Allegretti, a 29 year old Italian immigrant. You moved to Ludlow May of 1912 with your wife, Isabella, and you’re two daughters, Anna and Mitta. You struggled to find work when you came to the United States, but you followed the trains and they helped lead you to Colorado. There was hope that you would find work here and be able to support your family. And what luck you found a job working the mines for the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company. Only maybe you weren’t so lucky after all. After a few months of working here you realize this job and this town aren’t all their cracked up to be. You and everyone else in the mines gets paid by the weight of the coal you pull out, so no ones doing the ‘Dead Work’ to make sure it’s safer in there. On top of that the company owns the whole town and you’re forced to shop in the company owned stores and live in the company owned homes. Now you and your family are barley getting by, hopefully things will soon change for the better. [[Begin Your Story|Story Begins]]

September 3, 1913 I hate how cold it is already. I sit up from my bed, wiping the sleep from my eyes letting them adjust to the darkness of the room. For a minute I just sit and listen to Isabella’s breathing. I kiss her shoulder and she lifts her head with her eyes half closed. “Time for work?” she asks half asleep. I nodded getting up and getting dressed. Isabella gets up slowly and trying not to wake Anna and Mitta. “It’s 5 already? Feels like we just went to sleep. I’ll pack you a lunch for the day,” she says leaving the room. I finish getting dressed and meet Isabella outside the room. “How are we on food?” I asked her “We’re running pretty low, but we should get by for a little while longer,” she says. A little while longer means we’ll be eating much less to make it stretch as far as possible. I lower my gaze. It’s my job to feed my family, to support them, to make sure they're fed, and I can’t even do that right. We came here for opportunity and to become something more than farmers, I just feel like I’m letting them down. Isabella always seems to know what I’m thinking. “It’s ok Joseph, everything will work out. Things can only get better,” she smiles and kisses my cheek. She walks me to the door. “Just be safe and come home to us,” she says. [[You feel a little bit better about the day.| Heading to the Mines1]] [[You still feel guilty and hopeless.| Heading to the Mines2]]

You feel a little better about the day. You lift your head high and stay strong for you’re family. You start to head toward the mines. You look over to see your neighbor heading the same direction. You flash him a smile. He’s originally from Greece, but he does speak some English. You’ve been practicing your English so you decide to say something. “Good Morning,” you say and smile. Your neighbor smiles back and waves. He walks in your direction and decides to walk with you. You both speak in broken English, but you understand each other. It turns out his name is Etor and he has a baby boy who was just born. Though you both don’t speak English well you feel like you made a new friend. [[You decide to work with him today, instead of going alone.| Mining Together]] [[You decide not to work with him today, you feel like he would slow you down and keep you from getting the coal tonnage you need.| Mining Alone]]

You still feel guilty and hopeless. You keep your head down and start your usual march to work. You see your neighbor from the corner of your eye. You’ve been practicing your English lately, but you’re in no mood to test it out right now. You just want to keep to yourself today. But maybe you should work with someone to help speed things along [[You decide to work with him today, instead of going alone.| Mining Together]] [[You decide not to work with him today, you don’t feel like talking to anyone. | Mining Alone2]]

You and Etor make your way to the mines with all the other miners. As you come to the entrance you both are serious knowing that this place is not a place to make mistakes. Many people, people you’ve known, have died here in these mines. You both make your way into the a lower tunnel that seems to be a bit unstable. You notice the ceiling looks like it could cave if you’re not careful. [[You decide to be shore the ceiling and walls, better safe than sorry. | Safety First Etor]] [[You decide to go ahead and start working, your family needs food, and you need money to get that food. | Screw Safety Etor]]

You decided that working alone would just be easier today. You just want to focus on getting in and out of the mines with as much coal as possible. You and all the other miners make your way into the mines. When you enter the light feels like its disappearing, but you keep moving going deeper and deeper. You come to the tunnel you need to be at and notice that the ceiling looks unstable. If you’re not careful it could cave at any moment. [[You decide to shore the ceiling and walls, better safe than sorry. | Safety First Alone]] [[You decide to go ahead and start working, your family needs food, and you need money to get that food. |Screw Safety Alone Death 1]]

You decide to go ahead and start working, your family needs food, and you need money to get that food. After working for most of the day you start hearing deep rumbling sounds. Small rocks start falling from the ceiling, then larger rocks. In a panic you throw down your tools and try to make a run for the exit of the tunnel. It’s too late. The ceiling caves in and you are crushed under hundreds of tons of rocks. No one was ever able to recover your body. Time of Death: 5:26 pm Date of Death: 10 - 3 - 1913 YOU DIED [[TRY AGAIN? |Story Begins]]

You don’t trust this tunnel. The last thing you want is a cave in that could kill you and other miners. You decide to do some “dead work”. You know you’re not going to get payed for the work, but you’d rather not die today. You end up spending most of the morning and some of the afternoon working on shoring up the ceiling. Many of the other miners mention that they appreciate what you did and give you a pat on the back. You do get to mining finally, but by the end of your work day you don’t get the tonnage you were hoping for. [[Looks like you and your family will be a bit hungry tonight.|Hungry]]

You don’t trust this tunnel. The last thing you want is a cave in that could kill you, Etor, and other miners. You decide to do some “dead work”. You know you’re not going to get payed for the work, but you’d rather not die today. You end up spending most of the morning and some of the afternoon working on shoring up the ceiling. Etor says he is thankful for you doing this. You do get to mining finally, but by the end of your work day you don’t get the tonnage you were hoping for. Etor notices this and to give thanks he asks if you and your family would like to come over for dinner. [[You appreciate the offer and accept, after all you pretty much earned it.|Dinner With Etor2]] [[You are prideful and will not take hand outs, you politely decline dinner.|Hungry]]

You decide to go ahead and start working, your family needs food, and you need money to get that food. After working for an hour or so Etor says “Do you feel that?” You stop what you’re doing and sit still and silently. You do feel something. “We need to leave,” after Etor says that you start hearing deep rumbling sounds. Small rocks start falling from the ceiling, then larger rocks. In a panic you both throw down your tools and try to make a run for the exit of the tunnel. Etor is ahead of you and just as the tunnel starts to cave in on you Etor pulls you forward saving your life. You look at Etor tearing up saying thank you over and over. You’re saying it in Italian, but Etor understands none the less. You both lost all the coal you had gathered for the day and your tools. Etor, knowing you’re family is low on food invites you and your family over for dinner. [[You are so thankful for him saving you, of course you say yes to dinner.|Dinner With Etor]] [[You are prideful and will not take hand outs, you politely decline dinner.|Hungry]]

You accepted Etor’s invitation for dinner. He smiles year to ear. “Come by around 7,” he said as he walked to his house and I walked to mine. I opened the door to see Isabella prepping some potatoes in the sink. ”Don’t worry about dinner tonight, Isabella. Etor invited us over for dinner.” “Oh, well that sounds lovely,” she smiles. “I’ll get the girls ready.” At 7, you walked over to Etor’s home with your family. You are greeted by Alexa, Etor’s wife, with Hagen half asleep in her arms. Her English is terrible and broken, but she is kind and inviting. You walk into Etor’s home. You look around, it feels odd to be in a home that looks exactly like yours except for the few personal items that Etor had. You notice that it’s not just Etor and his family present. The man introduces himself as Louis Tikas. We all sit for dinner, enjoying a hot meal making small talk. After dinner Mitta, Anna, Isabella and Alexa go to the other room to give little Hagen some attention. You ask Tikas if he is a miner here as well. “I was a miner, but my primary job at the moment is a union organizer for United Mine Workers.” he says. Your body become rigid. “So the UMW is planning on organizing a strike here?” you ask “Yes, but only if our demands are not met.” he says “What exactly are the unions demands?” you ask “Well, the first thing we want is recognition of the union as a bargaining agent. Shorter work days, stronger enforcement of Colorado’s mining laws, and all that. The UMW is going to have a meeting soon to discuss everything. Including if the demands are not met.” “Ah I see,” you say. “I would be a good thing if you could come to the meeting, it’s important that everyone be on board. I’m sure you’re tired of the dangers of the mines and how they treat your life like it’s nothing. Just consider it, I hope to see you at the meeting.” Etor walks him to the door talking to him in Greek. Etor closes the door and turns to you smiling weakly. "Well?" he says. [[You think maybe the strike could be a good thing. Anything is better than the ways things are now.|Positive]] [[You become frustrated with Etor. Things are hard enough as it is, it’ll be even harder if the Union follows through with the strike.|Negative]]

You come home defeated. Twelve hours of work and almost nothing to show for it. Not getting enough coal means only a little bit of food for the family and not enough money for rent. It’s time you and Isabella had a talk. You buy a few thing from the general store for dinner, everything is over priced as usual making your money almost worthless. When you get home Isabella has some food ready and you all sit down to eat. You try not to talk about your day and keeping your head down. Isabella notices, but says nothing knowing to wait for the girls to go to bed before bringing it up. After the girls are asleep she confronts you. “What happened today? Did something go wrong? Is everything ok?” she asks. “We need to decide if this place is worth the effort, Isabella.” you say “We’re barely getting by, there’s talk of a strike, and this place is starting to feel like a prison with the guards and curfews. I just don’t know what to do anymore.” you say putting you head in your hands. She rubs your shoulders. “I go where you go, if you want to leave we’ll leave. I f you want to stay we’ll stay. I’ll stand by your decision either way” she says kissing you head. [["We should leave, it’s not worth it any more."|End 1]] [["We are tough people, I think things could work out for the better. No point in giving up just yet."|Stay1]]

You accepted Etor’s invitation for dinner. He smiles year to ear. “Come by around 7,” he said as he walked to his house and I walked to mine. I opened the door to see Isabella prepping some potatoes in the sink. ”Don’t worry about dinner tonight, Isabella. Etor invited us over for dinner.” “Oh, well that sounds lovely,” she smiles. “I’ll get the girls ready.” At 7, you walked over to Etor’s home with your family. You are greeted by Alexa, Etor’s wife, with Hagen half asleep in her arms. Her English is terrible and broken, but she is kind and inviting. You walk into Etor’s home. You look around, it feels odd to be in a home that looks exactly like yours except for the few personal items that Etor had. You notice that it’s not just Etor and his family present. The man introduces himself as Louis Tikas. We all sit for dinner, enjoying a hot meal making small talk. After dinner Mitta, Anna, Isabella and Alexa go to the other room to give little Hagen some attention. You ask Tikas if he is a miner here as well. “I was a miner, but my primary job at the moment is a union organizer for United Mine Workers.” he says. Your body become rigid. “So the UMW is planning on organizing a strike here?” you ask “Yes, but only if our demands are not met.” he says “What exactly are the unions demands?” you ask “Well, the first thing we want is recognition of the union as a bargaining agent. Shorter work days, stronger enforcement of Colorado’s mining laws, and all that. The UMW is going to have a meeting soon to discuss everything. Including if the demands are not met.” “Ah I see,” you say. “I would be a good thing if you could come to the meeting, it’s important that everyone be on board. I’m sure you’re tired of doing deadwork and not being payed for it. Just consider it, I hope to see you at the meeting.” Etor walks him to the door talking to him in Greek. Etor closes the door and turns to you smiling weakly. "Well?" he says. [[You think maybe the strike could be a good thing. Anything is better than the ways things are now.|Positive]] [[You become frustrated with Etor. Things are hard enough as it is, it’ll be even harder if the Union follows through with the strike.|Negative]]

You decided to stay. You know you’re going to be apart of the strike, you’re no strike-breaker. You’ll stand by your fellow miners. You just hope that things will get better from all of this. September 1913 The demands of the union were ignored and the UMW has called for a strike. As soon as the company was told, you and everyone else involved were evicted from your homes. The main union organizer, Louis Tikas, figured this would happen so you’re relocating to the outside of town at the entrance. You and your family pack the few belongs you have and start walking to you’re new living space. While you’re walking you see your neighbor with his wife and child. You strike up a conversation with them. It turns out they speak a bit of Eglish as well. You find out that their names are Etor, Alexa, and little Hagen. You all talk about the situation and how hopeful you are for the out come.You all talk til finally you reach the edge of town where the UMW has set up a tent colony. <img src="http://www.planetizen.com/files/styles/content_image/public/img/1%20Colony.rev_.jpg?itok=CMqr8Jgt" alt="TestPic"> The tents have a wooden platform for floors and a wood stove. You realized that this winter was not going to be fun. Good news is that your family and Etor’s family will be sharing the same tent. October 1, 1913 It didn’t take long for the company to find people to come work the mines. The whole point of putting the tents where they are was to make it easier for us to keep strike breakers from making their way in, but of course the Company hired free agents to protect the strikebreakers. They hired some men from the Baldwin–Felts Detective Agency to protect the new workers. From the way they act with us it seems like harassing us strikers maybe part of their job as well. You watch as group of men walk past surrounded by guards, they’re walking in and working the mines making everything you all have been working for worthless. You become furious. [[You and other men become enraged, and you attack the strikebreakers.|Rage Quite Death 2]] [[You gather yourself and walk away, there is no point in attacking these men. After all, they’re just trying to keep themselves fed. Eventually the company will have to cave.| Move forward]]

You stand up and pat Etor on the back. “I suppose it is time for me to consider it. Maybe the strike could lead to some real changes. Anything would be better than the way it is now,” you say. “So you’ll come to the meeting?” he says. “Sure, I want to know more. Isabella, Anna, Mitta, it’s time for us to go home,” you all thank Alexa for dinner and head home. Once you get the girls to sleep you talk to Isabella about the talk you had with Louis Tikas. “The meeting isn’t right away, but I think after the meeting we’ll have to decide what we’ll do.” she nods and you both head to bed. Things are business as usual for the weeks that pass, the only change is that you do decide to work with Etor everyday now. Before you know it, it's the day of the meeting. The meeting has to be held in secret, if the company knew they would evict and fire everyone before the strike even began. Once it begins you find out the demands of the union. The union wants be recognized as a bargaining agent for workers, they want miners to be compensated for coal at a ton-rate based on 2,000 pounds, the eight-hour work day to enforced, for there to be payment for “dead work”, for workers to be able to elect a weight-checkman to be sure the company weightmen are kept straight, for workers get to have theright to choose their boarding homes, doctors, and stores, for the company guard system become none existant, and finally for the strict enforcement of Colorado’s mine safety laws. The demands seem fair to you and the other workers, but the company doesn’t seem to feel the same way. It is obvious to everyone that the strike will be happening. You just have to decide know if you want to stay and fight or leave. You come home from the meeting and explain whats going to happen to Isabella. “We need to decide if this place is worth the effort, Isabella.” you say. “We’re barely getting by, there’s for sure going to be a strike soon if the unions demands aren’t met, and this place is starting to feel like a prison with the guards and curfews. I just don’t know what to do anymore.” you say putting you head in your hands.She rubs your shoulders. “I go where you go, if you want to leave we’ll leave. I f you want to stay we’ll stay. I’ll stand by your decision either way” she says kissing you head. [["We should leave, it’s not worth it any more."|End 1]] [["We are tough people, I think things could work out for the better if we stick it out. No point in giving up just yet."|Stay2]]

You stand up angrily. “Things are bad enough as it is here, if everyone strikes then it will only get worse. The company will just bring in strike-breakers and armed guards,” you yell. “Etor, I don’t want any part of this, I really don’t” you say pacing the floor. This was not how Etor was hoping you’d react. “Will you at least go to the meeting to learn more, maybe you’ll change your mind?” say he’s defensively. You look at him angrily. “Isabella, Anna, Mitta it’s time to leave,” you say walking towards the door. Isabella thanks them for dinner and follows you home with the girls. “What was all that about?” she asks. You explain the situation. “Well, will you go?” she asks “I don’t know,.I think we need to decide right now if we should leave or stay,” you say looking at Isabella. “It’s up to you Joseph, we’ll be by your side either way,” she says kissing you cheek. [["We should leave, it’s not worth it any more."|End 1]] [["We are tough people, I guess things could work out for the better if we stick it out."|Stay2]]

You decided to stay. You know you’re going to be apart of the strike, you’re no strike-breaker. You’ll stand by your fellow miners. You just hope that things will get better from all of this. September 1913 The demands of the union were ignored and the UMW has called for a strike. As soon as the company was told, you and everyone else involved were evicted from your homes. The main union organizer, Louis Tikas, figured this would happen so you’re relocating to the outside of town at the entrance. You and your family pack the few belongs you have and start walking to you’re new living space. While you’re walking you see Etor with his wife and child. You strike up a conversation with them. You talk about the strike, your fears, your hopes, and the things to come. You all talk til finally you reach the edge of town where the UMW has set up a tent colony. <img src="http://www.planetizen.com/files/styles/content_image/public/img/1%20Colony.rev_.jpg?itok=CMqr8Jgt" alt="TestPic"> The tents have a wooden platform for floors and a wood stove. You realized that this winter was not going to be fun. Good news is that your family and Etor’s family will be sharing the same tent. October 1, 1913 It didn’t take long for the company to find people to come work the mines. The whole point of putting the tents where they are was to make it easier for us to keep strike breakers from making their way in, but of course the Company hired free agents to protect the strikebreakers. They hired some men from the Baldwin–Felts Detective Agency to protect the new workers. From the way they act with us it seems like harassing us strikers maybe part of their job as well. You watch as group of men walk past surrounded by guards, they’re walking in and working the mines making everything you all have been working for worthless. You become furious. [[You and other men become enraged, and you attack the strikebreakers.|Rage Quite Death 2]] [[You gather yourself and walk away, there is no point in attacking these men. After all, they’re just trying to keep themselves fed. Eventually the company will have to cave.| Move forward]]

"We should leave, it’s not worth it any more." Isabella nods. "We'll start gathering things tonight and we'll try and leave tomorrow," she says. September 4, 1913 You and your family gather only what you need to get out of Ludlow, Colorado. You wait until evening to try and leave. The company has armed guards on hand and they do not like people coming and going into town. They don't want anyone stirring the pot. You and your family decide to follow the train tracks out of town, being still at every sound. You finally reach Trinidad, Colorado many hours later. With what little money you have have you settle here and work the railroad. April 21, 1914 Time passes, things aren’t great, but they’re not as back as they were in the mines. Coming home from work you stop by the general store to pick up a few things. A newspaper catches you eye. <img src="https://65.media.tumblr.com/07781aab43b4275621ee6d200cf0d3a0/tumblr_n4qwk3nSCj1tqopy5o1_500.png"> You look in disbelief and you thank the heavens you and your family were not among the twenty-five dead. You don’t know much about what happened, but you do know that you’re glad you left when you did. YOU LIVED THROUGH THE LUDLOW MASSACRE [[BACK TO THE BEGINNING |Story Begins]]

October 20, 1913 A short amount of time passes, things get worse. The company agents have set of this armored car that has a machine gun mounted on it. Etor and some other people in the camp have been calling it the “Death Special”. It’s always rolling around the camps border. They have snipers along the outside of camp as well. There’s been shootings at night and people are worried. You talk with Etor, he thinks we should dig a hole under our tent and that we should sleep down there. Of course the wife’s are not too thrilled about this idea. [[With things the way they are it’s better to just play it safe and dig the hole. You may sleep in a hole, but you’ll sleep a little easier knowing you and you family are safe.|Dig It]] [[You didn’t feel like it was necessary to dig under your tent. It’s bad enough that you’re living in tents in the freezing cold you don’t want to live like a rat as well.|Don't Dig It Death 3]]

October 28, 1913 The governor of Colorado, I think his names Elias Ammons or something, called for the National Guard today. They should be showing up soon. Everyone feels a bit relieved. There’s been so much violence since the strike was called. You and everyone in the ten village greet the National Guard with smiles and celebration. These men don’t work for the company, they won’t treat you the way the company agents did. Unfortunately that was not the case. The Guard leaders are on the company’s side, you’re the trouble makers in their book. Things didn’t really calm down from there, some time passed. Food rations have gone down a bit and you're told the union’s money won’t last forever. At some point somethings got to happen. By spring the National Guard had really done a number on the strike by helping the mine operators bring in more scab workers. Eventully the govonor had to recall them, since money doesn't grow on trees. [[April 20, 1914|April 20, 1914]]

You didn’t feel like it was necessary to dig under your tent. It’s bad enough that you’re living in tents in the freezing cold, you don’t want to live like a rat as well. The company agents don’t want to kill or anything they’re just doing their job. Etor is reluctant, he really wants to dig under the tent, but he says he will not force you to do it. Though he does say he won’t stay in the tent. “It’s not safe, me, Alexa, and Hagen will stay in another family’s tent.” October 17, 1913 “Daddy, I had a bad dream,” Mitta says waking you in the night. Though with the spot lights they keep shinning on this place you could swear it was dawn. “It’s ok Mitta, come here,” you pick her up and hold her in your arms, and you give her a tight hug. “You have nothing to be scared of, I’m right here with you,” you say kissing her forehead. Suddenly a gun shot rings out and you feel a searing pain. You look at Mitta and her eyes are wide and mouth open, but she’s not moving. Isabella screams. ”Please God no!” she yells trying to hold on to both you and Mitta as you slip to the ground. You close you eyes and everything goes cold. The last thing you remember is Isabella yelling of help and Anna crying. During the night you and Mitta were both shot in the chest. The bullet passed through her and then into you, killing you both. Time of Death: 11:45pm Date of Death: 10 - 17 - 1913 YOU DIED [[TRY AGAIN? |Story Begins]]

You and other men become enraged, and you attack the strikebreakers. The company guards retaliate with force. You are beaten and shot in. Time of Death: 9:24 am Date of Death: 10 - 01 - 1913 YOU DIED [[TRY AGAIN? |Story Begins]]

[[Stop to help Etor|Helping Hand]] [[Leave Etor Behind|Left Behind End 4]]

YOU LIVED THROUGH THE LUDLOW MASSACRE [[BACK TO THE BEGINNING |Story Begins]]

Etor dying request is to save his family [[Look for Etor's family|Search Party]] [[I need to save my own family|Some Left Behind End 2]]

YOU LIVED THROUGH THE LUDLOW MASSACRE [[BACK TO THE BEGINNING |Story Begins]]

[[Search in the tents that you think my have groups of women and children hiding|Search Tents Death 5]] [[Search for Louis Tikas, maybe they are with him|Find Tikas]]

YOU LIVED THROUGH THE LUDLOW MASSACRE [[BACK TO THE BEGINNING |Story Begins]]

Find Tikas and Etor's family. [[Make a break for it as soon as possible.|Tikas and You Death 4]] [[Wait til the train comes through to make a break for it.|You All Made It End 5]]

YOU DIED [[TRY AGAIN? |Story Begins]]

YOU LIVED THROUGH THE LUDLOW MASSACRE [[BACK TO THE BEGINNING |Story Begins]]

You and your family wake early and dress in the best cloths you have. Etor invited you to come to Easter service with him and you thought that was a great idea. You may not be an Orthodox Christian and you already had your Easter service earlier this month, but you’ve been feeling down and thinking about the Lords sacrifice makes it feel like this might all be worth while. While on the way to the celebration you see three Guards in the camp, you stop to hear whats going on. They’re saying a man was being held against his will and that they needed to see Louis Tikas at once. You a bit confused, but Louis Tikas was present within minutes. “Is everything ok?” you ask. “Hopefully, I’ll be back soon,” Tikas said. You exchange looks with Etor. You both are a bit uneasy. After some time Tikas came back to camp. “Something wrong, they’ve placed multiple machine guns near the camp.” he says gathering up men. Etor starts running. “Where are you going?” you ask. “I need to grab my gun,” Etor says running in the direction of your shared tent. Many of your fellow miners decide to try and flank the soldiers positions. Fighting breaks out, gun shots and screaming is all you hear. You and you family look for a safe place to find refuge. You find a tent with women and children hiding in it. [[You feel like it will be safer for you all to just stay together, that way if a window opens up to try and escape the town you and your family can make a run for it. |Safer Together]] [[You thing it would be better for your daughters and your wife to hide with a few of the other women and children in the tent. Who knows how long with fighting will last, you’d rather they be hiding and safe, than try and risk escape. |Better Apart End 3]]