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Hellraisers Journal – Friday July 11, 1902
Mother Jones News Round-Up for June 1902, Part III
On Trial before Judge John J. Jackson at Parkersburg, West Virginia
From the Baltimore Sun of June 24, 1902:
PARKERSBURG, W. Va., June 23.-A special car containing 25 witnesses arrived tonight from Clarksburg. They are here to appear against “Mother” Jones and the other persons charged with violating a Federal injunction by holding a meeting for the purpose of influencing miners to quit work. Their defense will be that the meeting was on private property rented by them for that purpose.
[Photograph added.]
From the Baltimore Sun of June 25, 1902:
“MOTHER” JONES ON TRIAL
———-
Thirty Witnesses, And The Case May Last A Week.PARKERSBURG, W. Va., June 24.-The trial of “Mother” Jones and 11 other agitators who are accused of violating an injunction of the Federal Court in regard to interfering with working miners was begun today.
A witness testified that the woman used “insolent language” in a public speech. He said she advised miners to pay no attention to injunctions or to courts.
There are about 30 witnesses and the trial will probably last all the week.
From The Dayton Evening Herald of June 26, 1902:
WERE ACTING WITHIN THEIR RIGHTS
———-
Favorable Testimony Given For Mother Jones
and Strike Leaders, Arrested For Contempt.
———-Parkersburg, W. Va., June 26.-The defense had witnesses on the stand in the “Mother” Jones and other strike leaders contempt cases this morning. They testified to the quiet and orderly behavior of the leaders in all the meetings, and said they counselled obedience to laws and proper conduct. “Mother” Jones especially counselled the “boys,” as she calls them, not to drink during the strike troubles. It was shown that the meeting which caused their arrest was on private property rented for the purpose, and that there had been no assemblage in violation of the injunction on public or company property. It is probable that the case will be concluded today.
From The Dayton Evening Herald of June 27, 1902:
“MOTHER” JONES CASE CONTINUED.
———-Parkersburg, W. Va., June 27.-In the contempt case against “Mother” Jones and others, the defense announced this morning that they had no more testimony to offer. The court set the arguments for July 11, and the case was continued until that date. “Mother” Jones and the other defendants are out on bail.
From the Baltimore Sun of June 28, 1902:
“MOTHER” JONES RELEASED
———-
Judge Jackson Gives Her A Lecture
About Inciting Strikes.(Special Dispatch to the Baltimore Sun.)
PARKERSBURG, W. Va., June 27.-“Mother” Jones and the other strike leaders who were on trial for alleged violation of an injunction by the United States Court were released today until July 11, when their case will come up again.
Upon being released they were given a lecture by Judge Jackson, who warned them against interfering in any way with the miners at work. He told them they had no constitutional right to come here from another State and interfere with workers. The Judge promised severe punishment if they attempt to incite a strike again.
From the Social Democratic Herald of June 28, 1902:
MOTHER JONES ARRESTED.
———-
Her White Locks No Protection From the
Armed Power of the Government
in League with the Coal Barons.Clarksburg, W. Va., June 20.-Marshal C. D. Elliott and deputies left for Parkersburg tonight with twelve mine organizers and strikers. Among those taken were Mary Jones, known as “Mother Jones,” Thomas Haggerty, Bernard Rice, William Morgan, Joe Rososky, George Rososky and Steve Tenki. They are charged with violating Judge Jackson’s injunction.
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Clarksburg, W. Va.-(Special to Leon Greenbaum.)-Of all the slavery man suffered the worst is here. The conditions are almost incredible. The strike is on in full force-and the men only too glad to make this effort to get out of bondage. There are 25,000 now out and others following. Total will reach 90,000 by end of the week.
Mother Jones marching with her army of ‘boys” presents a spectacle not seen since the days of the Revolution, in Virginia. The crowd cheer her and the marchers as they parade carrying the empty dinner pails in their hands.
LATER-Monongah. W. Va.-All strike leaders but Mother Jones arrested last night [about June 10] and she may be taken at any moment. The “permanent injunction” is being enforced by arming thugs with Winchesters to shoot down miners. The Faremont Coal Company forced women into the mines last night to load coal. It is a reign of terror. Mother Jones will lead the miners to meeting place tonight-in a body-and address them. The companies are fearful of arresting her-much as they would like to do so. Imported Italians from New York are armed here by companies and instructed to shoot. Reporters are being paid from $5 to $10 per day to falsify the facts. The Wheeling News is a mass of lies.
From the Baltimore Sun of June 29, 1902:
MINERS MAY NEED A BALLOON
———-
Wilson Says, If The Flood Of Injunctions Continues.INDIANAPOLIS, June 28.-“If the courts continue issuing injunctions against us, there will be but one proposition open. Someone will have to furnish the 400,000 mine workers of this country with balloons in which they can hold meetings privately or publicly and not disobey the mandates of the courts,” said W. B. Wilson, secretary and treasurer of the mine workers’ organization today, when informed that Federal Judge Keller, at Fairmont, W. Va., had enjoined him, Christopher Evans, “Mother” Jones and others connected with the organization from interfering with the miners.
No papers have been served on Mr. Wilson. He said he had not been in Judge Keller’s district, but if his business calls him there he will go. He declared that if he has been enjoined from holding a private conference on business that concerns the organization he will disobey the injunction.
Mr. Wilson had a conference today with “Mother” Jones, who came direct from the West Virginia fields.
Note: emphasis added throughout.
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SOURCES
Quote re Mother Jones, Most Dangerous Woman, Machinists Mly, Sept 1915
(search: “mother jones” dangerous)
https://google.com/books/reader?id=9e_NAAAAMAAJ
Hellraisers Journal for Oct 13, 1907
How Mother Jones Became Known as
“The Most Dangerous Woman in America”
The Sun
(Baltimore, Maryland)
-June 24, 1902
https://www.newspapers.com/image/370599139/
-June 25, 1902
https://www.newspapers.com/image/370599420/
-June 28, 1902
https://www.newspapers.com/image/370600628/
-June 29, 1902
https://www.newspapers.com/image/370600745/
The Dayton Evening Herald
(Dayton, Ohio)
-June 26, 1902
https://www.newspapers.com/image/394072499/
-June 27, 1902
https://www.newspapers.com/image/394072510/
Social Democratic Herald
(Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
-June 28, 1902, page 3
https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/social-democratic-herald-us/020628-socdemherald-v04n52w204.pdf
IMAGE
Mother Jones , Phl Inq p24, June 22, 1902
https://www.newspapers.com/image/168338244
See also:
Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for June 1902, Part I:
Strike Is On in West Virginia Coalfields; U. S. Judge Jackson Issues Injunction
Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for June 1902, Part II
Mother Jones Arrested with Organizers of UMWA at Clarksburg, West Virginia
Tag: West Virginia Coalfield Strike of 1902-1903
https://weneverforget.org/tag/west-virginia-coalfield-strike-of-1902-1903/
Mother Jones – John Mitchell Correspondence, 1902
https://cuomeka.wrlc.org/exhibits/show/mother-jones/documents/jones—mitchell–1902
-Jones to Mitchell (6-23-02) in Mother’s handwriting
https://cuomeka.wrlc.org/files/original/605581213491981db6d5bdaa136af254.pdf
-Mitchell to Jones (6-25-02)
https://cuomeka.wrlc.org/files/original/c3c8845b67f26ca977bf8688c8c92b3f.pdf
Correspondence of Mother Jones for June 1902
The Correspondence of Mother Jones
-ed by Edward M. Steel
U of Pittsburgh Press, 1985
https://books.google.com/books?id=EZ2xAAAAIAAJ
https://digital.library.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt%3A31735057897435
-pages 32-35 (80 of 415) for Correspondence of June 1902:
https://digital.library.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt%3A31735057897435/viewer#page/82/mode/2up
June 13, 1902
-to Mother Jones at Clarksburg WV from John Mitchell, Pres. UMWA
Hotel Hart, Wilkes Barre, Pa.,
June 13, 02Personal.
Mother Mary Jones,
Clarksburg, W. Va.
Dear Mother:Your letter dated June 11th received and read carefully.
Replying will say that I am overjoyed at the success of the strike movement in West Virginia. It is a splendid endorsement of the judgment of the majority who attended the Huntington conference; and a severe rebuke to the gentleman from Ohio [T. L. Lewis] who so vigorously antagonized the inauguration of a strike, and who has refused to go to the Fairmont District to take part in the struggle, remaining at home, quibbling over technicalities as to what his power would be and what instructions he should have.
I earnestly hope that the strike will be prosecuted to a successful issue, and regret that my duties here prevent my being with you to take an active part in the fight.
I trust that you will take as good care of yourself as is possible under the circumstances.
Hire bands, or anything that is necessary.
May God bless all those who do their duty in this supreme crisis.
With love and best wishes, I am,
Yours truly,
[John Mitchell]
June 23, 1902
-from Mother Jones at Parkersburg WV to John Mitchell:
Parkersburg W Virginia
6-23-’02My dear Comrade Mitchell
Just before I go back jail which I expect to have to do after the old zar [Federal Judge John J. Jackson] of West Virginia gets through with me on Tuesday I will write you things as they are. You heard of the poor Italian getting beat up by the corporation thugs. Of all the cowards that Barney and blakely are the worst. They ran away left the poor Italian by himself to be beat up by the Corporation blood hounds. They ran away and left me. If you hunted the U. S. you could not get a gang of bigger cowards than you have got in here. every time those dogs gets after them they Wont show a bit of fight. They have made up their mind they have us all coward. I would not give Tom H[aggerty] for the whole shooting match. There are some of them whould like that this thing would a failure for when ever anything happens that gives us a little back set the silent glances exchange with a smile of derision.
Dont trust this fellow Blakely he wont do to bet on. he is a T. L [Lewis] man dont be fooled in him.
This came over the Telephone Sat. I was in the jail office, heard all. T L called Morgan up asked what he could do. Said he would like to come over here. Where are you said M—in Bridgeport. doing anything. No. Ill see said M then he went up talked to Barney. B said tell him come on at once he is to be here today. I gave Barney H— for tying your hands. he is no man for this place to deal with these tricksters. between you and I the whole shooting match outsid of Tom ought to have a Nursing Bottle. keep up dont worry. I think the others will all go free. I will take my medicine gracefully perhaps after it will better for the cause I feel it will. Take care of yourself the cause would miss you. God bless
Mother
June 25, 1902
-to Mother Jones at Parkersburg WV from John Mitchell:
Hotel Hart, Wilkes Barre, Pa.,
June 25, 1902.Mother Mary Jones,
Parkersburg, W. Va.
Dear Mother:Your letter dated June 23rd is just received and read carefully.
Replying, it is a source of much regret to learn of the actions of some of those who should give the cause for which we are struggling their very best effort, and be willing to make any sacrifice in the interest of our cause. However, the time will come when those who take pleasure in our reverses will be called upon to give an accounting of their actions.
I regret, more than it is possible for me to express, that I cannot be with you in West Virginia. My own time, from early morning until late at night, is consumed with my duties here; and it is absolutely impossible to absent myself even for one day. I trust that you and other organizers will be acquitted by Judge Jackson, although we can expect little justice and no mercy from him; at least, he has the reputation of being bitterly opposed to the organizations of labor. If you are convicted I shall carry the matter to President Roosevelt and ask him to issue pardons.
I am, with love and best wishes,
Yours truly,
[John Mitchell]
President U. M. W. of A.
Note: emphasis added throughout.
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She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain -Ken Carson and the Choraliers