Morenci: 1903 Strike

The store pictured here was constructed at Morenci in 1901 by the Detroit Copper Company and known as the DC Store. Its rear wall and basement were fashioned from limestone and the balance of the structure was built with red granite quarried from nearby Morenci Canyon. Not long after its completion, and following Phelps Dodge’s acquisition of the Detroit Mine, it became known as Phelps Dodge Mercantile.

The tents fronting the building were not placed there by eager shoppers awaiting an early morning sale. Instead, they were put up by Army troops sent to Clifton-Morenci to enforce martial law during a massive strike by Mexican immigrant mine workers.

During this time, mine owners were using a dual-wage system that allowed them to pay Mexican miners much lower wages than Anglos for the same work. There were also unfair labor practices being aimed only at Mexican-Americans. Most Mexicans weren’t members of unions, and many — in order to retain their jobs — submitted to the mining company’s dictatorial rule.

On Jan. 19, 1903, Arizona’s Legislature passed an act directed specifically at companies that employed Mexican contract labor. It forbade underground labor of more than eight-hour intervals. The new law appeared to be a significant victory for all workers. When it went into effect on June 1, it was with the understanding that wages would remain the same, but they did not. The ten-hour day was reduced to eight, but wages were reduced by 10 percent.

Two days later, 3,500 workers in Morenci — the ringleaders said to be disgruntled Mexicans — left their jobs, forcing closure of the area’s smelters and mills.

On June 6, Arizona Gov. Alexander Brodie received reports from the copper companies that the strikers were armed with pistols, rifles and knives. He dispatched the Arizona Rangers to the scene, but the county sheriff felt they were ill equipped to handle the task and asked for reinforcements. Brodie sent in six companies of national guardsmen.

Although the strike remained largely peaceful, the strikers were adamant in their protests. Because of this, President Theodore Roosevelt was forced to order up federal troops from Fort Grant and Fort Huachuca and to declare martial law.

Then, unexpectedly, something happened that no one could control — the skies opened up and torrents of rain poured over Clifton-Morenci and its adjacent mountains. Chase Creek filled rapidly and so did the San Francisco River. As the swollen waterways converged and crested, a wall of water descended on Clifton. Fifty people were killed and more than $100,000 in property was destroyed.

The largest military force assembled in the Arizona Territory since the closing days of the Apache Wars was unable to put down a strike that Mother Nature quieted in a matter of hours.

The miners set aside their arms and returned to work, but the mining companies insisted that the ringleaders be arrested. Three were tried, convicted and sentenced to the Territorial Penitentiary at Yuma.

— W. Lane Rogers. Photo courtesy Arizona Historical Society, D.C. La Moine Album.