Ex-governor assassinated over dispute with miners On this day, Dec. 30, in 1905, targeted for his role in quelling a miners’ strike in 1899, former Idaho Gov. Frank Steunenberg was wounded by a powerful bomb rigged to the front gate of his home. He died shortly afterward. The case was one of the most sensational and widely reported of the first decade of the 20th century.
Labor activist Harry Orchard was arrested by Pinkerton agent James McParland. McParland compelled Orchard to implicate three prominent union officials.
The trial included Sen. William Borah for the prosecution and Clarence Darrow for the defense. But the prosecution had little evidence outside Orchard’s testimony. The union men were acquitted.
Orchard was found guilty in a separate trial, and sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to life in prison.
– Scott McCabe Scott McCabe
