Hellraisers Journal: From McClure’s Magazine: “Children of the Coal Shadow” by Francis H. Nichols, Part I

Mother Jones Quote ed, Suffer Little Children, CIR p10641, May 14, 1915 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday February 10, 1903
Children of Pennsylvania’s Anthracite “Coal Shadow”
-Part I of article by Francis H. Nichols, with illustrations by Frank E. Schoonover

From McClure’s Magazine of February 1903:

Every child of the coal fields who to-day is ten years old has lived through at least two great strikes [Great Anthracite Strikes of 1900 and 1902]. During these periods the indefinite and sullen discontent takes a concrete and militant form. There is talk by idle men of “the rights of labor” and the “wickedness of riches.” Deputies armed with rifles are guarding the company’s property. A detachment of militia is encamped at the end of the street…..

…The Child learns that the worst crime a man can commit is to be a “scab,” and that his noblest privilege is to join the union….

…..[Conversation with a little coal picker:]

“Why does the company guard all this so carefully? I asked of the girl.

“All the people round here is striking,” she replied. “So, of course, the company wants them to starve, and if they can’t get coal to cook their food with, they will starve faster.”

This was a seven-year-old child’s idea of justice-and of the company…..

[Emphasis added.]