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Hellraisers Journal – Sunday October 11, 1908
-Mother Jones News Round-Up for September 1908
In Alabama: “Old Mother Jones..claims every miner as her son…”
At the beginning of the month of September, we found Mother Jones attending a picnic in Girard, Kansas. By the 20th of September, we found the “Miners’ Angel” in Birmingham, Alabama. She went to Alabama in answer to the call of the miners on strike there, cutting short her visit in Girard, as promised in August.
From the Pittsburg Daily Headlight of
August 19, 1908:
WILL GO TO ALABAMA.
Mother Jones to Assist in the Alabama Strike.
—–…[Mother Jones] arrived in Girard only a few days ago from a trip through Oklahoma and Texas, where she has been delivering lectures. She expected to remain for some time, but circumstances have come up which compel her to leave for Alabama, where a strike is on among the miners of the coal fields of that state. Strikes are one of her specialties and she has followed strikes in all parts of the United States for years and has spoke in every state in the union except two and her motherly attitude towards the miners makes her a favorite among them….
From The Biloxi Daily Herald of September 23, 1908:
S. W. ROSE ON HIS TRAVELS
Cullman, Ala. Sept. 20, 1908
To The Biloxi Daily Herald.
[…..]
I came this morning from Birmingham to “this side,” and am now domiciled at Cullman…
Birmingham will not let socialists speak on the streets. They hurt the feelings of the mighty city chiefs and the great governor, who is interested in working children in his cotton mill.
However, the socialists held a hall meeting that was filled to the doors. Old Mother Jones, who claims every miner as her son, was there, and the fire of her tongue is enough to terrify Birmingham city and Alabama’s state government, and yet her kind old mother heart will bring the mist to men’s eyes as she tells the woes of childhood as she has seen them in the miner’s and cotton-worker’s families. Mother Jones has been to jail again and again for her fiery words, but jails have no terrors for this modern “Joan of Arc,” and she is loved by all who known her…..
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Mother Jones – September 1908
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From Lincoln’s Nebraska State Journal of September 1, 1908:
LONG TOUR OF “RED SPECIAL”
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Candidate Debs and Party Begin Campaign Tour.CHICAGO, Ill., Aug. 31.-The whirlwind campaign trip in which Eugene V. Debs and several of his associates of the socialist party started in a special train from Chicago today bids fair to be the greatest campaign tour that has been undertaken by the presidential candidate since the memorable “swing around the circle” made by William McKinley prior to his first election. If the plans are carried out in full the “red special” will cross the country twice, traveling a total distance of about 11,000 miles. The schedule provides for 240 stops for speeches, with meetings each night in cities and large towns…
Tons of campaign literature will be distributed along the route. Mr. Debs will be the chief orator, but Ben Hanford, candidate for vice president, and other socialist leaders will be heard. Mother Jones will be carried along as a special attraction during part of the trip.
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Note: we have, thus far, found no evidence that Mother Jones traveled on the Red Special during the month of September.
From the Appeal to Reason of September 5, 1908:
[…..]
Sundry Agitation.
Galena-The greatest political meeting ever held in Stone county took place at Galena on August 31. Fred D. Warren and W. W. McAlister were the speakers. The people crammed and jammed and stood up in the court house to hear two of the greatest speeches ever delivered here. Warren delivered a student-like Marxian argument and captivated his audience, irrespective of party. McAllister gave them one red hot from the bat. He soon had them on their feet yelling like Indians, and the meeting closed, giving us $13.75 to keep McAllister at work in the school house districts. Galena and vicinity is agitated as never before. Keep your eye on us next November.-Dick Myers.
Mother Jones dropped in on Liberal comrades somewhat unexpectedly, but a good crowd turned out to hear what she had to say. Phil Callery introduced our “grand old lady.”
Until recently no one in Kirksville paid any attention to the Socialists, but that is all changed now. The city authorities have reached the point where Socialist speakers are told to get off the streets. Miss Carrie Hallowell and Comrade Jones of Oklahoma, have stirred up much interest by their work in Adair county. Comrade Haller, of Kirksville, states that Miss Hallowell had fine meetings in the county, but Kirksville churches and school houses were closed to her. They are getting scared of the successful Socialist propaganda.
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From The Pittsburg Headlight of September 10, 1908:
HAD BIG CROWD
—–THE ANTIES HAD A BIG TIME AT GIRARD.
—–
Mother Jones Had Joint Debate With Candidate Birstow,
But He Answered Her
—–Girard. Sept. 4.-A. H. T. A. [Anti-Horse Thief Association] picnic yesterday was well attended and a very enjoyable affair. A large number of lodges were in line in the parade at 11 a. m., which was led by the Slifer band. The crowd then gathered in the park where there was a band concert and Mayor Ryan welcomed the visitors in his pleasant and entertaining style. The Van Sandt twins them gave some fine music, vocal and violin selections, and a collection was taken for their benefit. After dinner excellent addresses were made by Mr. Randall and Senator Bristow, The talk of the former was along lodge lines, while Mr. Bristow dealt with public questions of the hour. At the close of his address Mother Jones and Dr. Munson, Socialists, asked a number of questions which were courteously replied to by Mr. Bristow and there was a little good natured discussion. The remainder of the time was occupied with various amusements, such as burro races, foot races, potato races, etc. The light rain did not seem to interfere with any one’s good time There was plenty of ice water swings, etc., for the comfort and entertainment of all.
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From the New York Daily People of September 13, 1908:
Woman and the Socialist Movement
-By John Halls [of] Paris…..[The Socialist] movement is to-day the great hope of humanity; it offers peace and happiness. By voting, some millions of toilers scattered through the world have declared their allegiance to this great forward movement of the working class; but best of all the great subject half of the race, woman, is slowly but steadily awakening and more and more studying and working with the socialist movement. To-day nearly every little organization of socialists has its women comrades, some of whom are powerful propagandists and some who are entrusted with official work. Every convention of socialists, state, national or international has its women delegates (some are known the world over, like Mother Jones, Rosa Luxembourg, Clara Zetkin and Vera Sassulich) who there equally with the men delegates, help formulate the principles and methods of the movement. Nor can the great change come about until women generally are taking part in this movement, side by side with their husbands and brothers……
From the Charleston Labor Argus of September 17, 1908:
This same article can be found in Hellraisers Journal of August 27, 1907, republished from the Duluth Labor World of August 24th of that year. Therefore, we offer only the headline of the story, a favorite with Mother Jones, of how she famously tangled with Judge John J. Jackson.
“MOTHER” JONES GIVES OUT STORY
—–
Of an Anecdote That Occurred in West Virginia
in one of Its Great Coal Strikes
Several Years Ago.
—–
Also from the September 17th Labor Argus, page one:
Found in the same edition of Labor Argus was this message from the miners of Alabama.
MINERS OF ALABAMA
—–
Pass Resolutions Thanking Officials for
Their Assistance in Seeking to Secure
Freedom and Justice for Them.Be It resolved by District No. 20. U. M. W. of A., in convention assembled:
First-That in this dark hour that we hereby affirm our allegiance and fidelity to the principles of the organization.
Second-That we hereby express our confidence in the honesty and fidelity of our officers, both district and national, to the cause they nobly represented.
Third-That we return our heartfelt thanks to our brothers in other fields for the support given in this struggle, and we bid them God speed in this great work.
To the officers and delegates to the special convention:
Whereas, in this great industrial struggle in Alabama, the mine workers have put a noble and heroic fight, and could win were it not for the opposition of the governor and his allies; and whereas, this action on his part was in our opinion unlawful and unwarranted, as our people are a law-abiding people and respect the laws of the state and nation as much and more than do those who are professing law and order while through the public press and otherwise appealing, through falsehood and misrepresentation, to all the baser passions of men to create disturbance and riot; and while we very much regret the action of our national officials in calling off the strike when victory seemed almost within our grasp, and while we believe with an even break we could have could have won out and established a living wage, with more humane employment, yet we realize that with the combined opposition of the coal operators, their so-called guards with their brutal tactics, and the state government as administered by Governor Comer, the national officers could not do other wise than declare the strike off.
Therefore be it resolved, That we appeal to the national organization not to desert us in these closing hours of this strike until all have either secured employment or left the state for employment in other fields.
And be it further resolved, That we condemn the action of those who assisted in preventing us from securing a fair wage and humane conditions of employment.
And be it further resolved, That, recognizing the great principle of “truth crushed to earth will rise gain,” we appeal to every man to remain loyal to their organization and his fellow man and at the earliest moment rise up again in defense of our rights, and if we cannot secure them here we will seek employment where we can secure the rights of American citizens, with honest weights, fair rages and the right to organize and have free speech.
And further resolved. That we condemn in unmeasured terms the efforts of the mental cripples on he corporation papers who have prostituted their intellect by deliberate falsehoods and misrepresented our cause before the public.
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From the Appeal to Reason of September 19, 1908:
A Tribute to Mother Jones.
A dainty musical composition for two mandolins or violins. Complete as solo. Very easy. Sent to any address for 10 cents. Comrades, here’s a chance to help the cause. Half of all receipts go to keep the grand old lady in the field until after election. No orders will be accepted after election day. You can re-order this piece, but we cannot supply other numbers by the same writer. Send all orders to Richard J. Preston, 55 West street, Fitchburg, Mass.
From The Montgomery Advertiser of September 23, 1908:
Mother Jones to Speak.
“Mother” Jones, the noted agitator and worker for the Socialist Party, who has been in this district for several days, coming from the North, will be the principal speaker at a meeting to be held in Capital Park Wednesday night. The meeting will be for workingmen, but it is expected there will be many others there out of curiosity.
“Mother” Jones is 72 years of age and is an ardent campaigner for the Socialist Party. She is opposed to prohibition also and says that prohibition comes from poverty inasmuch as poverty caused much of the over drinking. She also takes a deep interest in woman and child labor matters.
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From the Appeal to Reason of September 26, 1908:
Article about Mother Jones by Eugene Debs found in newly published book.
From The Montgomery Advertiser of September 27, 1908:
“MOTHER” JONES SPEAKS.
—–
Aged Woman is Agitating Socialism
in Birmingham District.Birmingham, Sept., 26-(Special)-“Mother” Jones, the woman agitator, who is speaking in behalf of Socialism in the Birmingham district, will be heard in Bessemer Sunday.
She says that she does not belong to the Socialist Party, but all of her speeches are in line with the arguments advanced by the Socialists. She is against prohibition and in all her speeches makes known this fact. The woman is 72 years of age, but quite sprightly and is making on an average of three or four speeches a week in this district. Last Sunday she addressed a good sized assemblage of workingmen in Birmingham.
Note: emphasis to names and places added.
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SOURCES
The Pittsburg Daily Headlight
(Pittsburg, Kansas)
-Aug 19, 1908
https://www.newspapers.com/image/94746223/
-Sept 10, 1908
https://www.newspapers.com/image/87230665/
The Biloxi Daily Herald
(Biloxi, Mississippi)
-Sept 23, 1908, page 2
https://www.genealogybank.com/
The Nebraska State Journal
(Lincoln, Nebraska)
-Sept 1, 1908
https://www.newspapers.com/image/313863508/
Appeal to Reason
(Girard, Kansas)
-Sept 5, 1908
https://www.newspapers.com/image/67587432/
-Sept 19, 1908
https://www.newspapers.com/image/67587449/
-Sept 26, 1908
https://www.newspapers.com/image/67587461/
Daily People
-organ of the Socialist Labor Party
(New York, New York)
-Sept 13, 1908, page 5
https://www.genealogybank.com/
The Labor Argus
-a Socialist & Labor newspaper
(Charleston, West Virginia)
-Sept 17, 1908
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85059855/1908-09-17/ed-1/seq-4/
-from page one
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85059855/1908-09-17/ed-1/seq-1/
The Montgomery Advertiser
(Montgomery, Alabama)
-Sept 23, 1908
https://www.newspapers.com/image/412784951/
-Sept 27, 1908
https://www.newspapers.com/image/412785546/
IMAGE
Mother Jones re WFMC Speech, Dnv Pst p2, July 19, 1908
https://www.genealogybank.com/
See also:
“Mother Jones” by Debs from AtR of Nov 23, 1907:
Hellraisers Journal, Sunday November 24, 1907
Eugene V. Debs on “The Grand Old Woman of the Revolutionary Movement”
Mother Jones: “wherever the battle waxes hottest there she surely will be found upon the firing line.”
& also found here:
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924002385379#page/n299
https://www.marxists.org/archive/debs/works/1907/motherjones.htm
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I love this song, but the idea that Mother Jones wasn’t a union organizer is simply not true. During her life, Mother was a long-time paid organizer for the United Mine Workers of America. UMWA President John Mitchell once wrote her that he was sorry that he so often had to send her into the most dangerous areas of West Virginia. He never had to fear that she would not accept, no matter the danger. When Frank Keeney could not find any union officer brave enough to enter Cabin Creek with him, he turned to Mother Jones, and, sure enough, she was willing to go and face the machine guns with him in order to organize the miners there.