Hellraisers Journal: Don Chafin, Logan County Deputy Sheriff, Shot by William Petry, Vice-President of District 17, UMWA

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
Share

“We’ll hang Don Chafin to sour apple tree…”
-Miners of West Virginia
———-

Hellraisers Journal – Friday September 26, 1919
Charleston, West Virginia – Don Chafin Shot at District 17 Headquarters

From The West Virginian of September 24, 1919:

William Petry VP D17 UMW, WDC Hld p2, May 7, 1922
William Petry

LOGAN DEPUTY SHOT IN
MINE WORKERS’ OFFICES
—–

Vice President Petry, of United Mine Workers,
District Seventeen, Fatally Wounds Deputy
Sheriff Armed With Warrants.
—–

(By Associated Press)

CHARLESTON, Sept. 24–Don Chafin, deputy sheriff of Logan county, here to make the arrest of a man wanted for trial in Logan county was shot and seriously wounded here today in the offices of the headquarters of district No. 17, United Mine Workers of America, by vice president Petry of the Mine Workers organization. Chafin who was shot over the heart, was taken to a local hospital where it is said his condition is critical. Petry was arrested and taken before a justice of the peace where he gave bond in the sum of $10,000 for his appearance before the Grand Jury.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Don Chafin, Logan County Deputy Sheriff, Shot by William Petry, Vice-President of District 17, UMWA” →

Hellraisers Journal: International Socialist Review’s Publishers’ Department: Fred Warren’s “Suppressed Information”

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
Share

Quote Fred Warren, Justice Will Triumph, ISR p166, Aug 1909———-

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday September 25, 1909
Fred D. Warren’s “Suppressed Information” with Speech to Court

From International Socialist Review of September 1909:

Fred Warren, Propaganda Books, ISR p283, Sept 1909

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: International Socialist Review’s Publishers’ Department: Fred Warren’s “Suppressed Information”” →

Hellraisers Journal: Thousands Hear Eugene Debs, Oscar Ameringer, Caroline Lowe at Oklahoma Socialist Encampments

Janet RayeEugene Victor Debs
Share

Quote EVD Slave is My Brother, AtR p1, May 1, 1909———-

Hellraisers Journal – Friday September 24, 1909
Farmers Come from Miles Around for Oklahoma Socialists Encampments

From the International Socialist Review of September 1909:

The Oklahoma Encampment
—–

EVD at OK Socialist Encampment, ISR p278, Sept 1909

SOCIALIST ENCAMPMENTS. Three meetings a day, five days a week for four weeks, makes a total of sixty red hot propaganda meetings a month, with an attendance of from 500 to 10,000 at each lecture. This is what they are doing at the Oklahoma Socialist Encampment.

Successful encampments have already been held at Waurika, Snyder, Elk City, Aline and Woodward and the country for miles around has been showered with literature. The big canvass tent with a seating capacity of 1,000, is always pitched in a shady, well-watered grove, and from every pole top a red flag floats toward freedom.

Scores of covered wagons file into camp during Monday and far into the night, so that by the time the speaking begins on Tuesday, we find ourselves in the midst of a big, happy and seriously-minded family, happy because they have given the capitalist system the slip for a few days and serious because they realize that they are becoming landless farmers.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Thousands Hear Eugene Debs, Oscar Ameringer, Caroline Lowe at Oklahoma Socialist Encampments” →

Hellraisers Journal: Big Strike of Steel Workers Grips Entire Nation; Rivals, John “Fitz” Fitzpatrick & E. H. Gary, Profiled

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
Share

Quote Mother Jones, Strikes are not peace Clv UMWC p537, Sept 16, 1919———-

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday September 23, 1919
Nationwide Steel Strike in Full Swing; Thousands Leave Work

From The Bismarck Tribune of September 22, 1919:

GSS Fztp n Gary, Bismarck Tb p1, Sept 22, 1919

From the Hammond Lake County Times of September 22, 1919:

GSS Grips Country, Hammond IN Lake Co Tx p1, Sept 22, 1919

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Big Strike of Steel Workers Grips Entire Nation; Rivals, John “Fitz” Fitzpatrick & E. H. Gary, Profiled” →

Hellraisers Journal: 24 Steel Unions Strike at Midnight; May Prove to be Greatest Industrial Battle Nation Has Ever Known

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
Share

Quote Mother Jones, Judge Gary Cup of Rice, Clv UMWC p540, Sept 16, 1919———-

Hellraisers Journal – Monday September 22, 1919
Nationwide Steel Strike to Commence at Midnight

From The Washington Times of September 21, 1919:

GSS 24 Steel Unions to Strike, WDC Tx p1, Sun Eve Sept 21, 1919
———-

GSS 24 Steel Unions Named, WDC Tx p3, Sun Eve Sept 21, 1919

ONLY MIRACLE ABLE TO STOP WALKOUT,
SAY ALL OFFICIALS
—–

BY FRED S. FERGUSON.
United Press Staff Correspondent.

PITTSBURGH, Pa., Sept. 21–Plans are complete for what may prove the greatest industrial battle this country has ever known, according to officials of the twenty-four steel workers unions, which will strike at midnight.

They declared it would be a fight to the finish for the right of collective bargaining, an eight-hour day, and an increased in wages.

The reports from all steel centers indicated that nothing short of a miracle would stop the strike.

Leaders of both sides declared President Wilson had taken no steps thus far to persuade steel corporation officials to meet the strikers committee.

Posses Sworn In.

State and municipal officials have taken every precaution to guard against public disorders. Posses of deputy sheriffs [deputized company gunthugs] have been sworn in many towns and cities ready for instant action. The state constabulary [Pennsylvania Cossacks] in the Pittsburgh district has been mobilized and given explicit orders.

William B. Wilson, Secretary of Labor, who is vacation at Bloomsburg, Pa., declared he had received no communication from President Wilson regarding a settlement of the steel strike.

Leaders of the steel workers’ unions reiterated their statements that they will close up every mill owned by or subsidiary to the U. S. Steel Corporation. Officials of the steel company were equally confident the strike would be a failure and declared so small a number of workers were unionized that there will be little suspension of work. They said, however, that wherever any widespread disloyalty to the company was evident, plants would be closed.

Prepared to Hold Out.

Union leaders said the men were prepared for as long a strike as was necesary to win the demands. Finances, according to W. B. Rubin, general counsel for the workers, have been provided to take care of a long drawn out fight.

Hundreds of women have begun the work of stiffening the morale of the wives and children of the workers.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: 24 Steel Unions Strike at Midnight; May Prove to be Greatest Industrial Battle Nation Has Ever Known” →

Hellraisers Journal: Poem by George D. Herron: “Let us make the world a home, a fellowship of love and light.”

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
Share

Quote George D Herron Civilization n Industry, Caesar n Jesus 1899———-

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday September 21, 1909
“Oh, come, ye outcast of the earth…make the world a home.”

From the Appeal to Reason of September 18, 1909:

POEM Make World Home by GD Herron, AtR p6, Sept 18, 1909

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Poem by George D. Herron: “Let us make the world a home, a fellowship of love and light.”” →

Hellraisers Journal: Steel Strike Begins Monday; Mother Jones Back in Pittsburgh: “I CAME HERE TO RAISE HELL!”

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
Share

Quote Mother Jones Raising Hell, NYT p1, Oct 6, 1916———-

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday September 20, 1919
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Mother Jones Arrives to “Raise Hell”

From the Fairmont West Virginian of September 18, 1919:

GSS Mother Jones Pittsburgh Ive Come to Raise Hell, W Vgn p1, Sept 18, 1919———-

“I’ve Come to Raise Hell!”
Mother Jones Announces

Famous Labor Worker is
in Pittsburgh for the
Steel Strike.
—–

By LEE J. SMITS.
N. E. A. Staff Correspondent.

GSS Mother Jones, WVgn p1, Sept 18, 1919

PITTSBURGH, Pa., Sept. 18.-The chief of police in a steel town said: “I’d rather see a mob of armed strikers marching down Main street than have that old lady arrive on the scene.”

He meant Mother Jones.

From mine fields of West Virginia and Colorado; from every field where labor and capital have battled, come the tales of this white-haired warrior, who has been in jail more times than she can remember, who is called a demon by her foes and an angel by her friends.

She says she is 89 years old, but her voice rings out like a bugle call and she expects to see labor triumphant, not only in the steel strike, but in every industry in the United States.

“I came here to raise hell,” said Mother Jones, as she looked up from her sewing to welcome me.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Steel Strike Begins Monday; Mother Jones Back in Pittsburgh: “I CAME HERE TO RAISE HELL!”” →

Hellraisers Journal: Mother Jones Speaks in Cleveland to Delegates of Convention of United Mine Workers of America, Part III

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
Share

Quote Mother Jones, UMWA Until We Win, Clv UMWC p618, Sept 17, 1919———-

Hellraisers Journal – Friday September 19, 1919
Cleveland, Ohio – Mother Jones Speaks at U. M. W. A. Convention, Part III

Mother Jones addressed the convention once again during the afternoon of Wednesday September 17th, the seventh day of the convention. She urged the miners to unite behind the steel workers in their upcoming battle against the Steel Trust:

I beg of you for the sake of the heroes that are going to break into the war Monday [September 22nd] for a better civilization, to bury the hatchet and come together, regardless of what may happen. Let the enemy see that we are a solidified army and ready for the war if they want it.

From Stenographic Report by Mary Burke East:

ADDRESS OF MOTHER JONES.

Mother Jones Crpd Women in Industry, Eve Ns Hburg PA p2, Jan 6, 1919

Now, boys, I have got to go; I am called away. I don’t know whether it will ever be my privilege to attend another of your conventions. The battle of ages is on; we have got to fight it and it has got to be won. In an hour or so I will leave for the steel strike in Pittsburgh. I have no doubt the bonds of those poor steel workers will be broken before we end. It has been a long struggle, but it is going to come to an end.

Now, I am going to say a few words to you, and I want you to pay attention to what I say. Don’t forget the men and women who gave up their lives for this movement in Utah, Colorado, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. This movement was founded on the blood of men who tramped the weary pathway at night, often hungry and cold, to carry the message of a better day to you. Some of you remember the awful day at McCray’s School House, when you walked forty miles, hungry and worn out, to attend that meeting. The fact of your meeting here today is due to the work of those men who are in their graves.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Mother Jones Speaks in Cleveland to Delegates of Convention of United Mine Workers of America, Part III” →

Hellraisers Journal: Mother Jones Speaks in Cleveland to Delegates of Convention of United Mine Workers of America, Part II

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
Share

Quote Mother Jones, Judge Gary Cup of Rice, Clv UMWC p540, Sept 16, 1919———-

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday September 18, 1919
Cleveland, Ohio – Mother Jones Speaks at U. M. W. A. Convention, Part II

From Stenographic Report by Mary Burke East
-September 16th speech of Mother Jones continued:

Mother Jones Crpd Women in Industry, Eve Ns Hburg PA p2, Jan 6, 1919

In Homestead the labor men were allowed to speak for the first time in 28 years. We were arrested the first day. When I got up to speak I was taken. Eight or ten thousand labor men followed me to the jail. They all marched there. When we went into the jail they remained outside. One fellow began to cry and said: “What for you take Mudder Jones?” and they took him by the neck and shoved him behind the bars. That is all he did or said. We put up a bond of $15 each. We were to come for trial the next day, but the burgess didn’t appear. They postponed the trial on account of the mob that appeared outside. When they got me in jail the police themselves got scared to death. One of our men said: “Mother can handle those men.” He was told, “No, nobody can handle them.” “Yes, she can; let her get out.” I went out and said: “Boys, we live in America! Let us give three cheers for Uncle Sam and go home and let the companies go to hell!” And they did. Everybody went home, but they went down the street cheering. There was no trouble, nobody was hurt-they were law-abiding. They blew off steam and went home.

In Duquesne they took forty men. One man came out of a restaurant and asked what the trouble was. They got him by the back of the neck and put him behind the iron bars. He was kept there from two o’clock Monday afternoon until ten o’clock Sunday morning without a bite to eat or even a drink of water. That was the only crime the man had committed. Is there any kaiser who is more vicious than that? Do you think it is time for us to line up, man to man, and clean out those kaisers at home?

The steel workers have taken a strike vote and decided to strike. You men must stand behind them. Never mind what anybody says, that strike will come off next Monday. The miners and all the other working men of the nation must stand with them in that strike, because it is the crucial test of the labor movement of America. You are the basic industry. They didn’t win the war with generals, and the President didn’t win the war. They could have sent all the soldiers abroad, but if you hadn’t dug the coal to furnish the materials to fight with, what could they have done? You miners at home won the war digging coal. You have been able to clean up the kaisers abroad, now join with us and clean up the kaisers at home.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Mother Jones Speaks in Cleveland to Delegates of Convention of United Mine Workers of America, Part II” →

Hellraisers Journal: Mother Jones Speaks in Cleveland to Delegates of Convention of United Mine Workers of America, Part I

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
Share

Quote Mother Jones, Strikes are not peace Clv UMWC p537, Sept 16, 1919———-

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday September 17, 1919
Cleveland, Ohio – Mother Jones Speaks at U. M. W. A. Convention, Part I

During the afternoon session of the sixth day of the Convention, Tuesday, September 16th, Mother Jones was introduced by Acting President John L. Lewis. The entire delegation arose to applaud Mother Jones as she was escorted to the platform.

From Stenographic Report by Mary Burke East:

Mother Jones Crpd Women in Industry, Eve Ns Hburg PA p2, Jan 6, 1919

Acting President Lewis: The chair will ask the delegates who are seated on either side of Mother Jones to escort her to the platform.

The entire delegation arose and applauded as Mother Jones was escorted to the platform.

Acting President Lewis:…This is one great assemblage of men where Mother Jones needs no introduction. She comes today from somewhere, I know not where, but from wherever she hails we know she has been on an errand of assistance and mercy to the down-trodden toilers, and she merely stops for a moment to come into her own union, there to greet her own boys. Her life has been devoted to the cause for which she has given her years and her wisdom and her ability. She has come to be loved by every man who has ever attended our conventions and by all the mine workers of the United States. We claim her as our own.

ADDRESS OF MOTHER JONES.

I didn’t come into the convention this afternoon to speak, but they took me by surprise—like the police did. I am not going to take up much of your time. There has been too much time spent in oratory. For the last four weeks I have been with the steel workers. If you want to see brutal autocracy, come with me to the steel centers and I will show it to you. The world does not dream of the conditions that exist there.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Mother Jones Speaks in Cleveland to Delegates of Convention of United Mine Workers of America, Part I” →