Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday October 11, 1899
Arnot, Pennsylvania – Agitator Mrs. Mary Jones on Scene of Miners Strike
From the Philadelphia Times of October 9, 1899:
Elmira Daily Gazette and Free Press October 7, 1899
MINERS EVICTED
FROM THEIR HOMES
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Blossburg Miners Are Facing
Starvation by Reason
of Their Strike.
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WILL NOT YIELD A POINT
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Special Telegram to The Times.
Arnot, October 8.
The strike situation hereabouts is becoming serious, and the sufferings of the miners will be severe if an agreement is not soon reached with the Blossburg Coal Company. During the past week the company has discharged its superintendent, ordered the mules sold and made preparations to close down the mines permanently.
Although the strikers have been out sixteen weeks, and are facing certain starvation, they are as determined as ever not to “cave in” to the company, as they term it. The action of the miners in deciding to return to work, and then changing their minds after hearing the harangues of Mrs. Mary Jones, a woman labor agitator of Pittsburg, has apparently aroused the ire or the officials of the company.
Evicted Their Tenants.
As soon as the intention of the miners to remain out became known the company took steps to evict the men who occupied houses belonging to the company for non-payment Thus far thirty-six families have been forced from the houses which they have occupied for years. The evictions were effected by Sheriff Johnston and a force of deputies from Wellsboro. There was no show of force. Those who had no place to go were taken in by neighbors who own their own houses, and are therefore out of reach of the company’s eviction process.
Tho miner of the region have the sympathy of everybody in Northern Pennsylvania, for they have always been law abiding. Through the strike there has been no serious demonstration, and at no time was there any damage done to the property of the company.
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From The Wilkes-Barre Record of October 10, 1899:
STRIKE MAY WIPE OUT A TOWN
The strike situation at Arnot. Pa. where thirty-six families were evicted from company houses during last week, remains as far from settlement as it was last July, when inaugurated. The Erie company, owners of the mines there, has made formal discharge of all its employes, including the mine superintendent, and directed the sale of all the mules and the dismantling of the tipples. Whether this is the “bluff” that the striking miners believe it is, in order to frighten them into returning to work, remains to be seen. The company officials declare that the order is bona fide. Arnot is now a veritable place of desolation and despair.
A year ago it was a hustling mining town of 2,500 population. There had been occasional questions of difference between the miners and the Erie company, but up to last July no serious trouble ensued. Early in that month a strike was inaugurated, after the company declined an advance of 10 per cent. in the men’s wages. The men were not in a financial condition to strike, but, nevertheless, they stood out determinedly.
About a week ago their appeared ready to give in, but just then Mrs. Mary Jones, a labor agitator from Pittsburg, appeared on the scene. At a meeting last Sunday (October 8th) she made a speech, and women in the audience cheered her. As a result the men reconsidered their decision to return to work. The next day Sheriff Johnson began serving the processes of eviction. Most of those turned out of the company houses took refuge with other families in the village.
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