 The concept of industrial unionism may have been obvious to union miners, but it wasn't a persuasive philosophy to their creditors.Many of the merchants announced that they would sell only for cash, cutting off credit for miners on strike.Then Craig arrived to help the merchants establish the Cripple Creek District Citizens' Alliance, with about five hundred businessmen and others joining up in the first week.p.88

By the end of August 1903 the entire district was polarized and tense, with any chance for a settlement rapidly slipping away.