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Hellraisers Journal – Saturday December 1, 1900
Mother Jones News Round-Up for October 1900, Part VI
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Mother Jones Learns of Great Victory
From the Wilkes-Barre Daily News of October 27, 1900:
“MOTHER” JONES TALKS OF THE STRIKE.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 26.-When “Mother” Jones left the coal regions for this city yesterday the strike had not ended, and it was not until this morning that she learned that the differences between the miners and the operators had been satisfactorily adjusted until April at least. This afternoon, just previous to her departure for Hazleton, “Mother” Jones called at the headquarters of the Allied Building Trades, in Odd Fellows’ Temple. She was jubilant over the result, and spoke encouragingly of the future for the coal miners and their families. She modestly received the congratulations of a number of prominent labor men.
[She said:]
It is the greatest victory in the history of organized labor. Of course, the strikers did not get all they asked for, but they have paved the way towards getting more. There is no telling what may happen in the spring, when the agreement of the operators terminated. There may be more trouble if the concessions made are not to be permanent. There never was a strike of such magnitude in which there was less disorder. Throughout there was a respect for law and order manifest on all sides.
The one deplorable feature of the great battle for human rights was the calling out of the militia by a hot-headed Sheriff. There was no more need of soldiers there that there is in this city at the present time
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[Photograph added.]
From the Philadelphia Times of October 28, 1900:
Special Telegram to THE TIMES.
HAZLETON, October 27.
While the miners have won a great victory, the climax was reached to-day when the Cross Creek Coal Company and G. B. Markle & Co. posted notices granting the advance in accordance with the Scranton convention. This action in reality is the wind up of the strike.
Early this morning John Markle sent for President John Mitchell; but Mr. Mitchell, being otherwise engaged, was unable to accommodate Mr. Markle, so “Mother” Jones and several other of the organizers were dispatched to Jeddo. After a lengthy deliberation between them and a committee Mr. Markle finally consented to post notices, and did so at 4.30 o’clock…..
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From the Freeland Tribune of October 29, 1900:
The end of the great successful strike became an assured fact this morning, when the mine workers of the anthracite region resumed their labors in a body, just as they had laid down their tools as one man on September 15.
When the whistles blew at 7 o’clock tho breakers swarmed with workers and the mines were filled with jubilant men, and the rattle and roar of the machinery was cheerful music to the 140,000 mine workers and those depending on them for support…..
CELEBRATION.
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Greatest Labor Parade in the History of Freeland.The announcement that Coxe Bros. & Co. had complied with the United Mine Workers’ demands was the signal on Saturday for the beginning of preparations for a parade of the mine employes of this section. The word was quickly passed through town and on to the surrounding towns. Flags, bunting, decorations, pictures of President Mitchell and banners containing inscriptions of rejoicing sprang up as if by magic. Musical organizations volunteered their services, and long before nightfall Freeland had assumed a holiday appearance.
The report of Markle & Co.’s consent to the demands carried forward the victory preparations as nothing else could. The news that the Jeddo company’s employes had won their battle sent a thrill of joy through everybody, and crowds began pouring into town from every direction.
Continuously from 6 to 7 o’clock the locals unions from the outside villages came marching into Freeland, and at 7.30 p. m. the line was ready to march. At this hour, however, messengers arrived from Ebervale and Harleigh and stated that the mine workers of those towns were on their way to Freeland and asked that they be waited for. After a wait of nearly an hour they arrived, and [at about 8:30 pm] the parade, led by eighty horsemen, started from the Grand opera house.
The route of the parade was up Ridge street to Chestnut, to Washington, to Carbon, to Centre, to Walnut, countermarch to South, to Washington, to Front, to Public park, where the marchers were dismissed and afterward listened to appropriate addresses delivered by “Mother” Jones and Attorney D. J. McCarthy.
During the parade the men marched four deep. There were 2,300 in line, every town turning out its full strength, and one long cheer was heard from end to end of the column. Many banners were carried on which the joy of victory was expressed.
After the parade a free dance was given at Yannes’ opera house for those who desired to celebrate in that manner, and in all parts of town the saloon men donated refreshments to the strikers.
The night, as a whole, was one which will be long remembered by the mine workers of the vicinity…..
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From the Hazleton Plain Speaker of October 29, 1900:
Labor Celebrates.
The greatest labor demonstration ever seen in [Freeland] took place on Saturday evening. Over 3.000 men were in line. The mining patches were deserted and men, women and children came to participate in and view the parade. The business men vied with each other in decorating their establishments with Chinese lanterns, flags and bunting. The parade was headed by a carriage containing “Mother” Jones and the local officials of the Mine Workers. By her side sat Attorney D. J. McCarthy….
After the parade a monster meeting was held at the public park where the Burgess made an address of welcome, and in behalf of the citizens of town congratulated the men on their victory. “Mother” Jones spoke at length, on the course the men should pursue in the future. She interspersed her remarks with sallies of wit blended with a sarcasm that is peculiarly her own, and set her audience fairly wild with enthusiasm. Many ladies were in the audience and they appeared as enthusiastic over the result as the male population.
Mrs. Jones said she was going out to Massachusetts to see her shoemaker friends who were having some little trouble in that section, but would return again to spend the winter where coal was plenty…..
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[Paragraph break added.]
Note: emphasis added throughout.
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SOURCES
Quote Mother Jones, Phl Tx p5, Oct 18, 1900
https://www.newspapers.com/image/53783435/
Wilkes-Barre Daily News
(Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)
-Oct 27, 1900
https://www.newspapers.com/image/204316097/
The Times
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
-Oct 28, 1900
https://www.newspapers.com/image/53783571/
Freeland Tribune
(Freeland, Pennsylvania)
-Oct 29, 1900
https://www.newspapers.com/image/465089035/
The Plain Speaker
(Hazleton, Pennsylvania)
-Oct 29, 1900
https://www.newspapers.com/image/501622662/
IMAGE
Mother Jones, at Her Lecture Stand, Detail, Phl Iq p1, Sept 24, 1900
https://www.newspapers.com/image/167226270/
See also:
Hellraisers Journal – Friday November 30, 1900
Mother Jones News Round-Up for October 1900, Part V
Found Declaring Victory in Grand March on Panther Creek
Tag: Great Anthracite Strike of 1900
https://weneverforget.org/tag/great-anthracite-strike-of-1900/
Oct 29, 1900, Freeland Tribune
-PA Anthracite Strikers Victory, Return to Collieries as One Body
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64391000/oct-29-1900-freeland-tribune-pa/
Oct 31, 1900, Carbondale Daily News
-Honor to UMW Pres. Mitchell for PA Anthracite Strike Victory
Note: No evidence found that Mother Jones was present at this celebration.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64396049/oct-31-1900-carbondale-daily/
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There is Power in a Union – Street Dogs