WALSENBURG—The decorations were up, the tables set, the a/c was blasting away as 150 Huerfano Democrats invaded the Huerfano County Community Center on Saturday evening. The election year fund raising event was attended by the party faithful, candidates for local, state and federal offices and by a 160 year old Huerfano celebrity, Mother Jones (aka, Carolyn Newman). Red white and blue festooned the community center gym, patriotic music and a power point showing historic pictures of Mother Jones played in the background as the attendees awaited the arrival of their keynote speaker. The appearance of Senator Mark Udall stirred the waiting crowd to action as many of the attendees moved to shake the Senator’s hand. Udall graciously posed for photos and listened attentively to the many people wanting to greet him. No one, however, was as well received as the dinner’s namesake, Mother Jones. Udall allowed “Mother” to tie a red bandana around his neck to show his solidarity with the labor movement as the union miners did during the
Coal field strike of 1914. La Plaza Hotel and Restaurant catered the tasty dinner enjoyed by Democratic leaders from five counties. Between speeches by the assembled politicians, the crowd was entertained by Carolyn Newman and her son, Sheriff Bruce Newman. The Sheriff stepped in to stop a tirade by fiery Mother Jones exhorting the assemblage to fight the stiff necked “capitalists” and join the union. When he physically hauled away the tiny woman, a collection was started and enough “bail” money was collected to free Mother Jones from the lockup. Then El Fandango performed several folk dances from around the world. The silent and live auction completed the night’s excitement. All in all the dinner was a great success and Huerfano Democrats are looking forward to hosting the event again next year.
