
Mr. Jasper Butero Sr. - Ludlow, CO
N 37° 20.360 W 104° 35.028
13S E 536866 N 4132597
Under the pavilion at the site of the Ludlow Massacre is a table with benches that is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Jasper Butero, Sr.
Waymark Code: WMYZV0
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 08/16/2018
Views: 1
There are actually four benches, all joined to a table, and the bronze memorial plaque is on the table surface. It reads:
In the Memory of
Mr. Jasper Butero Sr.
A man who understood & supported organized labor
June 27, 1999.
Mr. Butero is buried in Trinidad, about fifteen miles from here. The University of Denver references some recorded interviews with Mr. Butero, likely about his time spent as a miner and working on behalf of labor. They are in the collection of the Bessemer Historical Society, but are not available for download. In any event, the University of Denver provides a short biography (slight edits):
"Jasper Butero was born at the Sopris Mining town owned by C[olorado] F[uel] and I[ron]. His father moved there in 1901 after living three years in Louisiana. Butero was one of five brothers and graduated high school in 1936. He went to junior college for two years while working in the coal mines in the summer. In total he worked in the coal mines from 1941-1960, even making up to $4,800.00 one year. Butero was married in 1939."
There is no indication that Mr. Butero was directly affected by the events of April 20, 1914, but he later battled black lung, and some of his family are still involved in the industry.