Bulkeley Wells

Bulkeley Wells
Born	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	May 26, 1931(1931-05-26) (aged 59)
Occupation	Mining executive
Known for	President and manager of Smuggler-Union Mining Company; opposition to labor unions

Bulkeley Wells (March 10, 1872 – May 26, 1931), sometimes spelled Buckeley Wells, was a prominent figure in the American mining industry. He was born in Chicago to Samuel Edgar Wells, a businessman, and Marry Agnes Bulkeley. His education included attendance at Roxbury Latin School followed by studies at Harvard University.

Career

Wells married Grace Livermore, the daughter of Colonel Thomas L. Livermore, thereby aligning himself with a distinguished family. He moved to Telluride, Colorado, where he served on the executive committee of the Telluride Mining Association and led the San Miguel County Citizens' Alliance (SMCCA). Additionally, he held a deputy sheriff position, commanded Troop A of the Colorado National Guard, and participated actively in fraternal groups such as the Masons and Elks. After the assassination of Arthur L. Collins, Wells assumed the roles of president and manager at the Smuggler-Union Mining Company.

Opposition to unions

Wells gained notoriety for his vehement resistance to labor unions, focusing particularly on Vincent Saint John, who was the leader of the Telluride Miners' Union. According to historian MaryJoy Martin, Wells was "born to privilege" and exhibited contempt toward workers. He launched efforts to discredit union leaders by accusing St. John of inciting violent acts, including the supposed killing of mine guard William J. Barney.

He worked closely with Pinkerton operative James McParland and the Colorado Mine Owners' Association to assert that an "Inner Circle" within the Western Federation of Miners was behind assassinations—claims that supported Pinkerton contracts despite lacking concrete proof. At one point, Wells publicly displayed a skull said to be Barney’s alongside a sign condemning union violence; however, Barney was later discovered alive, which discredited these allegations.

Later years

Wells engaged in an extramarital relationship with socialite Louise Sneed Hill while both were still married.

In 1918, Grace Livermore Wells divorced him, resulting in Wells losing $15 million worth of mining assets and financial backing from his wife's family. The affair between Wells and Hill continued until the death of Louise’s husband, Crawford Hill, in 1922. When Wells chose to elope with a different woman instead of marrying Hill, she convinced his last financial supporter, Harry Payne Whitney, to withdraw funding. This led to Wells losing control over his mining ventures as well as his gas and oil investments. After squandering his remaining wealth through gambling, he took his own life in San Francisco in 1931 as he faced imminent bankruptcy.