Fighting for progress
May 17: Harry Large and Andrew Lane die in a rock slide; May 18: Fred Olsen dies in a premature explosion; June 26: Ray Hapland dies of heat prostration; June 27: Pat Shannon dies of heat prostration; June 28: Mike Madzia dies of heat prostration.'
It was too much: the misery of life in Ragtown, and the danger and exploitation at the dam site inspired a strike. On 8 August the workers walked. Claiming to be fearful of riots, and of the influence of the Industrial Workers of the World union (IWW), the government shut the project down and ordered all workers to leave the area.
The Six Companies sent in strike-breakers with guns and clubs. Women and children, trapped in Ragtown, survived on food that was donated by Las Vegas merchants but was delivered by Six Companies agents - who made sure photographers were present to record their generosity.
'The Six Companies sent in strike-breakers with guns and clubs.'
The strike lasted one week, and the project resumed on 13 August. Hiring was formalised, and workers were no longer allowed to come onto the construction site for work, but had to go through a hiring hall in Las Vegas. Autumn, however, brought happier times with the cooler weather; there was more work as the project moved ahead, and the government rushed through the construction of Boulder City, on a wind-swept ridge seven miles from Ragtown.
In January 1932 the government issued an order known as the April 1 Rule. Under this rule, by April 1, 1932, everyone living in Ragtown had to leave, and the settlement was to be abandoned. It didn't take much persuasion, and by late spring 1932 Ragtown was empty.
Published: 2003-09-23