Hellraisers Journal: Battle at Mucklow Between Miners and Company Gunthugs Leaves One Dead, Many Injured

31st July 202231st July 2022 Janet RayeHellraisers Journal

Quote Fred Mooney re July 1912 Battle of Mucklow, Ab —————

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday July 31, 1912
Mucklow, West Virginia – Striking Miners Battle Company Gunthugs

From The Wheeling Intelligencer of July 27, 1912:

From The Pittsburgh Post of July 30, 1912:

Top, left to right:
Troop train arriving at Mucklow, W. Va. Every man on Paint Creek goes armed, and the excitement is intense.
General view of Mucklow, showing the company store and tipple on the left, and troops beginning their encampment on the right.

Bottom, left to right:
Prisoners accused of murdering mine guards. Twenty-two of these were taken on Saturday by Baldwin men, who surrounded them with an armed guard.
Tent and family of one of the destitute and evicted miners.

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Hellraisers Journal: Eugene Victor Debs, S.P.A. Presidential Candidate, Speaks at Grand Socialist Picnic in Pennsylvania

30th July 202229th July 2022 Janet RayeEugene Victor Debs

Quote EVD, SPA Campaign Opens, Riverview Park, Chicago, June 16, 1912 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday July 30, 1912
Cascade Park, New Castle, Pa. – Debs and Seidel Speak at Interstate Socialist Picnic

From The Coming Nation of July 27, 1912:

Note: Photograph was taken June 22, 1912 at Cascade Park, New Castle, Pennsylvania, at the Grand Interstate Socialist Picnic. Speakers included Eugene Debs and Emil Seidel, candidates for President and Vice-President, Socialist Party of America. Transportation was provided from as far away as Pittsburgh.

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Hellraisers Journal: United States v Haggerty et al., Judge Jackson Rules Against United Mine Workers of America, Part II

29th July 202229th July 2022 Janet RayeHellraisers Journal

Plea for Justice, Not Charity, Quote Mother Jones —————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday July 29, 1902
Parkersburg, West Virginia – Judge Jackson re “Organizers” and “Agitators”

From The Pittsburg Press of July 24, 1902:

JUDGE WAS SEVERE ON MINERS
[…]

Parkersburg, W. Va., July 24.-There was the most intense interest in the crowded room of the United States District Court this morning when Judge Jackson began reading his lengthy decision declaring “Mother” Mary Jones, the angel of the miners, and seven other organizers of the United Mine Workers and four Hungarians to be guilty of contempt of disregarding his injunction of June 19, against holding a meeting or creating a demonstration at or near the Pinnickinnick mine of the Clarksburg Fuel Co., or near the residence of miners at work. Judge Jackson, after concluding his decision, sentenced the defendants as follows:

Thomas Haggerty, 90 days in jail; Wm. Morgan, Bernard Rice, Peter Wilson, Wm. Blakeley, George Bacon, Thomas Laskavish, 60 days each. “Mother” Jones’ sentence was passed till afternoon. It is said she will receive a stiff fine and will not be jailed. Albert Repake, Joseph and George Roeski and Steve Teonike, Hungarians, passed until the afternoon session……

[Photograph and emphasis added.]

Ruling of Judge Jackson, July 24, 1902:

UNITED STATES ex rel. GUARANTY TRUST CO. of NEW YORK
v. HAGGERTY et al.
(Circuit Court, N. D. West Virginia. July 24, 1902.)

[Part II of II]

In the case we have under consideration the bill alleges that there is a combination of persons who are known as “organizers,” “agitators,” and “walking delegates,” who come from other states for the purpose of inducing a strike in the soft coal fields of the state of West Virginia; that their object and purpose is to induce persons who are not dissatisfied with the terms of their employment, and who are not asking any increase in their wages, to cease work for their employers, thereby inflicting great damage and injury upon them. It is to be observed that a very large portion of the miners in the employ of the Clarksburg Fuel Company do not want, in the language of one of the agitators who is enjoined, “to lay down their picks and shovels and quit work.” I do not question the right of the employes of this company to quit work at any time they desire to do so, unless there is a contractual relation between them and the employer which should control their right to quit. At the same time I do not recognize the right of an employer to coerce the employes to continue their work when they desire to quit. But can it be said that where a conspiracy exists to control the employes, as in this instance, either by threats, intimidation, or a resort to any other modes usually accompanying the action of strikers, that such action upon their part is not only illegal, but a malicious and illegal interference with the employer’s business? The question is its best answer.

While I recognize the right for all laborers to combine for the purpose of protecting all their lawful rights, I do not recognize the right of laborers to conspire together to compel employes who are not dissatisfied with their work in the mines to lay down their picks and shovels and to quit their work, without a just or proper reason therefor, merely to gratify a professional set of “agitators, organizers, and walking delegates,” who roam all over the country as agents for some combination, who are vampires that live and fatten on the honest labor of the coal miners of the country, and who are busybodies creating dissatisfaction amongst a class of people who are quiet, well-disposed, and who do not want to be disturbed by the unceasing agitation of this class of people.

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Hellraisers Journal: United States v Haggerty et al., Judge Jackson Rules Against United Mine Workers of America, Part I

28th July 202228th July 2022 Janet RayeHellraisers Journal

Quote Mother Jones, Injunction Shroud, Bff Exp p7, Apr 24, 1909 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Monday July 28, 1902
Parkersburg, West Virginia – Judge Jackson re “Organizers” and “Agitators”

From The Pittsburg Press of July 24, 1902:

JUDGE WAS SEVERE ON MINERS
[…]

Parkersburg, W. Va., July 24.-There was the most intense interest in the crowded room of the United States District Court this morning when Judge Jackson began reading his lengthy decision declaring “Mother” Mary Jones, the angel of the miners, and seven other organizers of the United Mine Workers and four Hungarians to be guilty of contempt of disregarding his injunction of June 19, against holding a meeting or creating a demonstration at or near the Pinnickinnick mine of the Clarksburg Fuel Co., or near the residence of miners at work. Judge Jackson, after concluding his decision, sentenced the defendants as follows:

Thomas Haggerty, 90 days in jail; Wm. Morgan, Bernard Rice, Peter Wilson, Wm. Blakeley, George Bacon, Thomas Laskavish, 60 days each. “Mother” Jones’ sentence was passed till afternoon. It is said she will receive a stiff fine and will not be jailed. Albert Repake, Joseph and George Roeski and Steve Teonike, Hungarians, passed until the afternoon session……

[Photograph and emphasis added.]

Ruling of Judge Jackson, July 24, 1902:

UNITED STATES ex rel. GUARANTY TRUST CO. of NEW YORK
v. HAGGERTY et al.
(Circuit Court, N. D. West Virginia. July 24, 1902.)

[Part I of II]

1. INJUNCTION.—GROUNDS—COMBINATION TO INDUCE STRIKES.

The power of a court of equity may be invoked to restrain and inhibit by injunction a combination which is formed to induce employes who are not dissatisfied with the terms of their employment to strike for the purpose of inflicting injury and damage upon the employers.

2. SAME.

While employes have the right to quit their employment whenever they desire, unless contractual relations exist between them and their employers which should control such right, the action of third persons, having no interest in the contracts between workmen and their employers, in conspiring to control the action of the workmen and to induce them to strike by means of threats, intimidation, or a resort to any other modes usually employed in such cases, is an illegal and malicious interference with the employer’s business, which a court of equity may properly enjoin where it is necessary to prevent irreparable injury.

3. SAME—Violation—CONTEMPT OF COURT.

Defendants, who were alleged to be unlawfully interfering with the business of a coal company and its employes by attempting to incite the latter to strike, were enjoined from assembling together, in camp or otherwise, at or near the mines of the company, or at or so near the residences of its employes, as to disturb, alarm, or intimidate such employes, so as to prevent them from working in the mines, or to prevent or interfere with them in passing to or from their work at the mines, or in otherwise interfering with them as the employes of the company.

After being served with the injunction, defendants assembled and held an open-air meeting within 1,000 feet from the opening of the mine, and within 300 to 400 feet from the residences of the miners, and in plain view of both. It was also near where the miners were obliged to pass in going to and from their work, and 150 feet from the company’s property. At such meeting violent speeches were made by defendants, in which they stated that the injunction did not amount to anything, and would not stop them; that, if they were arrested, others would take their places; and they criticised the court for granting an injunction, stating that the judge was a tool of the company, and no attention should be paid to his order, but that the miners should be made to lay down their tools and come out. It was shown that such meeting disturbed the miners, who were afraid of violence, and that the works would be blown up; that they had no disagreement with their employer, and a large majority of them did not desire to strike, but many said they would quit work unless they could be protected.

Held, that such action by defendants was a violation of the injunction, and a contempt of court.

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Hellraisers Journal: Judge Jackson Gives Mother Jones Suspended Sentence, Advises Her to Devote Her Time to Charity Work

27th July 202228th July 2022 Janet RayeHellraisers Journal

Plea for Justice, Not Charity, Quote Mother Jones —————

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday July 27, 1902
Parkersburg, West Virginia – Judge Jackson Will Not Send Mother Jones to Jail

From The Pittsburg Press of July 25, 1902:

LECTURE BY JUDGE TO “MOTHER” MARY JONES.
———-
Told Her She Most Obey the Law or Suffer.

Parkersburg. W. Va., July 25.-Thursday, after he had suspended sentence on “Mother” Jones, Judge Jackson started to lecture “the miners’ angel.”

“It must be distinctly understood,” he said, “that you must obey this injunction. If ‘Mother’ Jones is the good woman they say she is she will obey law and order. I will not send her to jail to pose as a martyr, nor shall she break into jail.”

Mother Jones arose and dramatically declared that she did not ask the mercy of anybody; she was simply trying to do her duty as she saw it, and whenever the court wanted her it could send for her. “I hope we will both meet on the other side of life when we die,” she finished, and at this Jackson smiled and the audience broke into applause. “Mother” Jones then went to the bench and shook hands with Judge Jackson, both smiling. “Now take my advice and go back home, keep the peace and obey the law,” Jackson softly said to her.

“Oh. but I must keep up the fight as long as I live,” she replied.

“Well, don’t fight In my district,” was the judge’s parting shot.

—————

Mother Jones Undaunted.

Parkersburg, W. Va., July 25.-Mother Jones says she will continue to work in behalf of the miners of West Virginia [as an organizer for the United Mine Workers of America] in spite of Judge Jackson’s threat that if she does he will have her arrested again and sentenced. She says she is doing her duty and fear of jail will not prevent her from continuing along that line.

—————

[Photograph and emphasis added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Judge Jackson Severe on U. M. W. Organizers in West Virginia, Condemns Utterances of Mother Jones

26th July 202227th July 2022 Janet RayeHellraisers Journal

Quote Mother Jones, Told the Court in WV to Stay, Ipl July 19, 1902, UMWC p86 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday July 26, 1902
Parkersburg, West Virginia – Organizers Sentenced, Mother Jones Berated

From The Pittsburg Press of July 24, 1902:

Parkersburg, W. Va., July 24.-There was the most intense interest in the crowded room of the United States District Court this morning when Judge Jackson began reading his lengthy decision declaring “Mother” Mary Jones, the angel of the miners, and seven other organizers of the United Mine Workers and four Hungarians to be guilty of contempt of disregarding his injunction of June 19, against holding a meeting or creating a demonstration at or near the Pinnickinnick mine of the Clarksburg Fuel Co., or near the residence of miners at work. Judge Jackson, after concluding his decision, sentenced the defendants as follows:

Thomas Haggerty, 90 days in jail; Wm. Morgan, Bernard Rice, Peter Wilson, Wm. Blakeley, George Bacon, Thomas Laskavish, 60 days each. “Mother” Jones’ sentence was passed till afternoon. It is said she will receive a stiff fine and will not be jailed. Albert Repake, Joseph and George Roeski and Steve Teonike, Hungarians, passed until the afternoon session.

Judge Jackson stated that the defendants would not be sent to the same jail. District Attorney Blizzard sprung a sensation by immediately filing an affidavit that Secretary Wilson, of the United Mine Workers of America, had violated the restraining order by making an inflammatory speech at Clarksburg July 7, and at Fairmont July 8. His arrest was asked. Judge Jackson made an order that Wilson be arrested and brought within the jurisdiction of the court. Wilson is said to be in Indianapolis.

Jackson’s huge frame shook with emotion as he dramatically emphasized portions of his decision to “Mother” Jones, who was the center of attraction.

She was surrounded by the other defendants and Vice President Lewis, of the United Mine Workers. The defendants were surprised at the decision and are bitter. The miners agree that this is the most effective blow that could be struck against the men’s cause in their attempt to get out the 12,000 miners in the Fairmont coal field. The judge first reviewed in detail the bill of the coal company which led up to the order of the court and the injunction, which it was claimed was valid. Continuing he said:

The question for this court now to consider is whether or not the defendants violated its order and if so, to determine what punishment shall be imposed on them for its violation. What is an injunction? Is it the exercise of an arbitrary power by the courts of the country or is it a power that has been recognized from a very early date, as one of the branches of administrative justice? I answer this question by affirming that the ordinary use of the writ of injunction is to prevent wrongs and injuries to persons and their property or to reinstate the rights of persons to their property when they have been deprived of it. It is the most efficient, if not the only remedy, to stay irreparable injury and to punish those who disobey the order of court granting a writ. It is a mistaken idea to suppose that the courts of this country abuse this writ. In my long experience on the bench I cannot recall a single occasion where any court, either federal or State, ever abused it in what is known as strike cases.

In the case we have under consideration today the bill alleges there is a combination of persons who were known as organizers, agitators and walking delegates, who came from other States for the purpose of inducing a strike in the soft coal fields of the State of West Virginia, that their object and purpose is to induce persons who are not satisfied with the terms of their employment, and who are not asking an increase in their wages to cease work for their employers, thereby inflicting great damage and injury upon them [the employers].

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Hellraisers Journal: Interview with Mother Jones On Her Way Back to West Virginia to Face Possible Prison Sentence, Part II

25th July 202226th July 2022 Janet RayeHellraisers Journal

Quote Mother Jones, Going to Jail, Cnc Pst p6, July 23, 1902 —————-

Hellraisers Journal – Friday July 25, 1902
Cincinnati, Ohio – Mother Jones Interviewed on Her Way Back to West Virginia

From The Cincinnati Post of July 23, 1902:

[Part II of II]

QUOTES SCRIPTURE FREELY

Mother Jones is a very religious woman. Her conversation is interspersed with passages of Scripture, delivered with all the awe and reverence inherited from her Celtic ancestors.

“You are hopeful, Mother Jones, I ventured. “Many women would be dismayed at the magnitude of such an undertaking as you have shouldered.”

[She replied:

Yes, I suppose a great deal of my optimistic temperament comes from my Irish parents. I had the advantage of being born on the Emerald Isle, and try not to grow old.

She came to America in her teens, and one can easily imagine the courageous little woman was a very beautiful girl.

MARRIED AT EIGHTEEN

“Mother” Jones was married at 18, and her husband is dead. She rarely speaks of this chapter in her life, and is completely engrossed in her work.

She is “Mother” in name only, as no children blessed her married life. With no living relatives to care for, except a brother in Canada, she gives the love and sympathy necessary to every woman to the miners, their wives and children.

[She said:]

I think the most dramatic thing I ever saw in my whole life was the gathering of the miners’ wives and children to whom I spoke after the awful mine disaster at Coalcreek, Tenn.

There they stood staring me in the face-gaunt, wild-eyed and utterly paralyzed by the dreadful blows which took husbands, fathers and sons at one moment.

I felt like shrieking, “The operators murdered your dead.” Those women never saw their loved ones after they left in the morning for their daily work. The bodies were carried past their homes in coffins, and none saw the faces of the dead but the men who put them in the coffins. The 213 graves left gaps in the crowd where I was used to seeing men. There never was a mine disaster in the history of the world which could not have been prevented by the expenditure of money and effort on the part of the operators. Independence Day I helped the women of Coalcreek decorate the graves of their dead. There was wrath in my heart, but I could not add to their trouble by speaking my mind.

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Hellraisers Journal: Interview with Mother Jones On Her Way Back to West Virginia to Face Possible Prison Sentence, Part I

24th July 202225th July 2022 Janet RayeHellraisers Journal

Quote Mother Jones, Coming of the Lord, Cnc Pst p6, July 23, 1902 —————

Hellraisers- Thursday July 24, 1902
Cincinnati, Ohio – Mother Jones Interviewed on Her Way Back to West Virginia

From The Cincinnati Post of July 23, 1902:

[Part I of II]

With a nervous little nod and a deprecating smile, “Mother Jones,” best known throughout the coal regions as “the miners’ good angel,” greeted me in her room at the Dennison House Tuesday evening. “Mother Jones” had stopped over in Cincinnati on her way from the Indianapolis convention of United Mineworkers, to speak before the Central Labor Council at Cosmopolitan Hall.

Mother Jones is at least 60 and a picture of health and comeliness. Her ample white hair is becomingly arranged in soft waves and puffs. A delicate pink tints her cheeks, smooth whiteness when she becomes excited, and her eyes are veritable Irish ones-full of humor, pathos and “the melancholy which transcends all wit.”

OUT ON BAIL

She is out on bail now. Two weeks ago she was placed on trial before Judge Jackson at Parkersburg, W. Va., with 10 miners, charged with violating an injunction order issued during the coal strike in that State. A decision in the case is to be rendered by the Judge Thursday, and “Mother Jones” has said that she wouldn’t be surprised if she were sent to jail.

Unmindful of the prison cell which may be awaiting her, however, the plucky little woman spent the day in Cincinnati shopping. From the middle of a very womanly disorder of tangled twine, torn wrapping paper and articles of feminine adornment, “Mother” Jones begged me to be seated. Considering that she had refused to see me until I had nearly exhausted a very plump and exceedingly warm-looking bell boy with plaintive messages, Mrs. Jones’ smile was a concession.

SUBJECT NEAREST HER HEART

She was unmistakably ill at ease when I opened the conversation with a remark about herself. Her slim, nervous fingers picked imaginary specks off her respectable black gown, and she eyed me with suspicion.

She picked up my note and quoted: “Dear Mrs. Jones, please see me, and you can talk about anything you wish.”

“Seeing that it is so nominated in the bond,” said she, “I choose to talk about my people, the miners.“

Softly stroking a pair of new, gray silk mitts-a purchase of the morning-the dainty old lady began to speak of the work nearest her heart, As she talked every vestige of nervousness vanished and the silk mitts were apparently forgotten.

KNOWS THE MINER’S LIFE

[Said she:]

My dear, I have lived, worked, suffered and rejoiced with the miners. They are my people. When the outside world says it knows all about the miners’ troubles and their wrongs, it has no conception of the home life or the privations and sorrow which dwell under every miner’s roof.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Interview with Mother Jones On Her Way Back to West Virginia to Face Possible Prison Sentence, Part I” →

Hellraisers Journal: Matilda Robbins Arrives in Washington with Truck Bearing Petition for Release of Political Prisoners

23rd July 202223rd July 2022 Janet RayeHellraisers Journal

Quote Matilda Robbins ed, Ben Fletcher, p132 PC —————

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday July 23, 1922
Washington, D. C. – Matilda Robbins Arrives with Petition for Political Prisoners

From The Washington Times of July 20, 1922:

—–

This truck, in charge of Miss Matilda Robbins, arrived in Washington yesterday, bringing a petition signed by a million persons asking for the release of political prisoners.

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Hellraisers Journal: Photograph of Comrade Eugene V. Debs at Lindlahr Sanitarium at Elmhurst, Illinois

22nd July 202222nd July 2022 Janet RayeEugene Victor Debs

Quote EVD No Bitterness on Release fr Prison Deb Mag Jan 1922 p3 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday July 22, 1922
Photograph of Eugene Debs at Lindlahr Sanitarium near Chicago, Illinois

From The West Virginian of July 21, 1922:

—–

Eugene Debs, Socialist leader, is a patient at a Chicago sanitarium where he is undergoing treatment for insomnia. “I am not ill, but for the first time in my life I feel tired and worn,” he says. Shown with him are Drs. Boerma Daniels an Matthiesen Yunkers.

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