Tag: G. W. Purcell

Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for November 1902, Part II: Found in Baltimore, Maryland, and with Striking Miners of West Virginia

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones to Wayland fr WV Wind Blows Cold, AtR p4, Nov 1, 1902—————

Hellraisers Journal – Friday December 19, 1902
Mother Jones News Round-Up for November 1902, Part II
Found in Baltimore, Maryland, and in New River Strike Zone of West Virginia

From the Baltimore Sun of November 21, 1902:

MOTHER JONES IN TOWN
———-
Miners’ Friend Calls On Officials
To Stop Immigration.

Mother Jones at Cooper Un, Ryan Walker, Comrade p28, Nov 1902

Mother Jones, the friend of the coal miners, arrived in Baltimore yesterday unannounced. She proceeded at once to hunt up Mr. Thomas A. Smith, chief of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, introduced herself and started to make known the object of her visit.

[She said:]

I have come here for the purpose of putting a stop to immigrants being brought into this country and employed by coal operators to take the places of the regular miners in the New River district of West Virginia.

Chief Smith laid aside his eyeglasses and took a quiet survey of Mother Jones, who had seated herself in a chair and was tapping the floor impatiently with her foot. Before Mr. Smith could make any statement Mother Jones began to give him and his assistant, Mr. Jacob Schoufarber, a full detailed account of the alleged indignities suffered by the miners at the hands of the operators. After she had finished he statement Mother Jones was referred to the office of the United States Immigration Bureau at the Custom House.

Mother Jones reached the Custom House in due time and was met by Assistant Commissioner Stump. To Mr. Stump she repeated her complaint, and Mr. Stump told her that if she could furnish the bureau with the names of immigrants who had been employed on the other side by the coal miners he would be very glad to look into the case.

“The proper course for you to pursue, madam,” he said, “is to write to Commissioner General F. P. Sargent, giving him all the data you can obtain in the matter.”

“Yes,” said Mother Jones with a long sigh, “that is just what I was told to do with Mr. Powderly when he was in office, and Powderly is a pretty good chap and I believe he kept his seat warm while he was in office.”

“But Mr. Powderly is not there now,” said Mr. Stump, “Mr. Sargent Is in charge.”

[Said Mother Jones:]

Oh, yes, I know him too; he is a jolly old chap, but he has let more immigrants into this country than even Powderly did. These mine owners are a sharp crowd to deal with. They have their agents on the other side and they coach the immigrants what to say when they come here. They are not shipped direct to the coal mines, but are sent in through Wheeling and other points, and when they get there they are herded in stockades with guards all around them and we cannot get anywhere near them.

Mr. Stump reminded his visitor that the proper person to receive her complaint would be Commissioner-General Sargent. She then left the office.

Mother Jones is a little woman, short, but stockily built, with iron gray hair, and speaks very forcibly. She has been called “Mother Jones” by reason of her interest in the welfare of the miners.

[Photograph added.]

From The Chattanooga News of November 27, 1902:

STRIKERS BRACE UP
———-
“Mother” Jones Puts New Heart and Life
Into West Virginia Coal Miners.
———-

Charleston, W. Va., Nov. 27.-The strikers in the New River mining field are making their last stand, encouraged by the magnetism of Mother Jones, who arrived there from Scranton, Pa., where she had expected to testify before the anthracite strike commission.

The West Virginia strike began June 7. It fizzled in the Fairmont field because of the federal injunctions issued by Judge Jackson. A few months ago settlements were reached in the Pocahontas and Kanawha regions, where the men gained notable concessions.

It would be hard to find a more determined band of men than the New River strikers. It was to this field Gov. White sent state troops during the summer and there followed the evictions of thousands of families. The cold weather has been a severe test, but the men are determined to win.

New River has a larger output than any other in West Virginia field and at least 5,000 men are involved in the strike. The United Mine Workers’ Union is caring for them and President Mitchell may soon assume direct charge.

John Richards, president of district No. 17, United Mine Workers, has tendered his resignation, it is understood, under pressure from his conferees, who represented to him that he was the only man who had stood between the miners and operators. The operators absolutely refused to treat with Richards, but intimated that a settlement could be reached if he were out of the way.

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for August 1902, Part III: Found in Pennsylvania Anthracite Region, Returns to West Virginia

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, God s Cause, Scranton Tb p1, Aug 7, 1902—————

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday September 11, 1902
Mother Jones News Round-Up for August 1902, Part III
Found in Anthracite Region of Pennsylvania, Returns to West Virginia

From the Wilkes-Barre Daily News of August 11, 1902:

MOTHER JONES CONDEMNS
———-
She Does Look With Favor
on Certain Statements.

BELIEVES THAT IT IS ONLY A QUESTION OF A SHORT TIME
UNTIL THE MINERS WIN-TRAINMEN UP IN ARMS.
———-

 

Mother Jones , Phl Inq p24, June 22, 1902

President Mitchell spent yesterday at Scranton, the guest of friends. His visit was one of pleasure and had no bearing on the strike situation. He returned last evening but had nothing of an interesting nature to disclose. He is still confident of the ultimate results.

Mother Jones still remains in the city and unless the present plans are changed she will deliver an address this afternoon at Nanticoke. Mother Jones has no particular love for Father O’Reilly and believes the latter to be unwise in his assertion about the miners and their organization. She believes that he will profit by his indiscretion. When told that he had delivered another address derogatory to the miners’ cause, she waxed warm, saying that if the occasion permitted; she would go to Shenandoah and tell the miners some pertinent facts.

[Declared Mother Jones:]

I know the miners are going to win this struggle, and every just man who is a competent observer of the prevailing conditions must be actuated by the same feeling. It is fallacy for even biased persons to harbor the idea that the miners are not steadfast. They show the same determined spirit, are practically speaking, of one mind and will never swerver the least iota from that course, they planned to take. The time is not far distant when the operators must mine coal or else lose their markets. In September the consumers will make an effort to get anthracite, and if they cannot they will look elsewhere and once the grates are changed it will take years, perhaps, before they resume the use of hard coal. If the operators permit it their business ability is not as great as credited. There may be an attempt made to operate the mines with non-union men, but the number will be so decidedly small and the work incompetently done, the effort will be given up with disgust. The operators will, after the trials, comprehend the determination of the men and will make the necessary concessions. The people of this country can rest assured that the miners are going to win this strike.

How about the one in West Virginia? asked the reporter.

[Mother Jones continued:]

We will not give up until the same results are achieved. Some of the places are completely tied up and victory is only a question of a short time. The collieries at Fairmont have not been reached, that I will admit, but do you know that there is a fence built around the town and no one in allowed to enter unless a permit is secured from some company agent. The men of West Virginia are partly paid in script, receive their money every month, sometimes every six weeks, deal in ‘”pluck me” stores and undergo other indignities. No American can or will endure such conditions.

[Photograph added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for August 1902, Part I: Embodies Spirit of Revolt; UMWA Surrounded by Injunctions in West Virginia

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, God s Cause, Scranton Tb p1, Aug 7, 1902—————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday September 9, 1902
Mother Jones News Round-Up for August 1902, Part I
Embodies Spirit of Revolt; Surrounded by Injunctions in West Virginia

From The Socialist Spirit of August 1902:

“MOTHER” JONES

BY WILLIAM MAILLY

“Mother” Jones has been compared to Joan of Arc, but she is more than that.

The French maid derived her inspiration from the mystical creations of a brain inflamed by religious ecstasy. She was the slave of her own imagination. She fought for the “divine right of kings,” dying a victorious sacrifice to a cause which, dominant in her day, will soon cease to disfigure the world. Her rightful place as the fanatical representative of medieval mummery has already been assigned her.

But “Mother” Jones absorbs inspiration from living men and women; their hopes and fears, their scant joys and abundant sorrows, are hers also to laugh with and to weep over. She deals with things that are, to fashion the better things that will be. And her cause is the one that will release mankind from material subserviency and mental obliquity, to finally rejuvenate and glorify the world.

In this only are they alike: John of Arc was peculiarly the product of the material conditions of her time, just as “Mother” Jones is of the conditions existing to-day. Each would have been impossible at any other period. As Joan of Arc typified the superstition and mental darkness of the people who hailed and followed her as one gifted with supernatural power, so “Mother” Jones is the embodiment of the new spiritual concept and clearer mentality characteristic of the awakening working class of our day. She is the incarnation of the spirit of revolt against modern industrial conditions—the spirit which finds fullest expression in the world-wide Socialist movement.

For “Mother” Jones is, above and beyond all, one of the working class. She is flesh of their flesh, blood of their blood. She comes of them, has lived their lives, and, if necessary, would die to make their lives happier and better. She loves the workers with a passionate love stronger than the love of life itself. Her advent marks the stage of their progress towards emancipation.

[…..]

[Everyone Knew Her]

Recently I traversed the territory where “Mother” had worked for several months organizing. To say her name is a household word is to use a hackneyed phrase for want of a stronger one to express it. Everyone knew her, from the smallest child to the oldest inhabitant. And all blessed her-except the mine-owners and their sympathizers whose hatred she is gratified to enjoy. There were places she entered three years ago where the women-wives of miners-refused to speak to or recognize her. Now her picture occupies a prominent place on the walls of their homes. Nothing could demonstrate more clearly her ability to overcome prejudice and make the workers her friends and confidants, and something more than mere blind followers or stupid worshipers. She represents the cause made up of the tangible realities which compose their daily lives.

[…..]

[Knows of Personal Suffering]

“Mother” has had full share of personal suffering. Coming early in life, with her parents, to Canada, she married, but lost her husband and four children in the yellow fever epidemic in Memphis several years afterwards. Thrown upon her own resources, she taught school for a while, and in pursuit of that vocation journeyed West. In San Francisco she gained her first experience in labor agitation by participating in the movement against Chinese cheap labor, in which Denis Kearney became famous. Then she joined the Knights of Labor, and from that time her activity has never ceased.

[…..]

[Organizing in West Virginia]

It is here where “Mother” has encountered more dangers than in all her experience, for the state has been heretofore entirely under control of the capitalists, and the entrance of agitators has been opposed in every shape and manner. It was for this very reason that “Mother” went there. She has been able to do what no man or any number of men could accomplish, even had they wanted to. The present strike of 20,000 men, after years of abject slavery, is the direct result of her work. Injunction after injunction has been issued against her, but she has gone right on. As I write this the news comes that, after awaiting sentence for several days, following upon being found guilty of contempt of court for violating one of these injunctions, the same judge has dismissed her with a reprimand. In this he showed more wisdom than such as he are usually credited with, but the effectiveness of the reprimand is doubted.

It remained for President John Mitchell to recognize the value of this woman’s great ability and provide the opportunity to put it to full account. Through him she has been a national organizer of the United Mine Workers for the past three years, and her work has more than justified his action. It is conceded and acknowledged by all that she has done more than anyone else to solidify the miners into a strong national organization. She has infected the whole mining industry with her enthusiasm and by her socialist teaching she has turned the thoughts of thousands of workers towards the greater mission in store for them. In view of this it is easy to understand why every one of the thousand delegates to the national convention just adjourned, wept when they bade farewell to her upon her departure to West Virginia to receive sentence from a capitalist court.

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for July 1902, Part V: From Labor World: Judge Jackson is a Coward, Fears to Sentence Miners’ Angel

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote re Mother Jones, Most Dangerous Woman, Machinists Mly, Sept 1915—————

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday August 21, 1902
Mother Jones News Round-Up for July 1902, Part V
Judge Jackson Proves Himself a Coward, Afraid to Sentence Mother Jones

From the Duluth Labor World of July 26, 1902:

IT IS AN OUTRAGE
———-

ORGANIZERS OF MINE WORKERS
IN PRISON FOR CONTEMPT.
———-
Judge Jackson, of United States Circuit Court, Passes Sentence
-Fears to Sentence “Mother” Jones
-President Mitchell Says Decision “Imperils the
Rights of All Americans in the Courts.” 

Mother Jones , Phl Inq p24, June 22, 1902

Judge Jackson, of the United States Circuit Court, at Parkersburg, W. Va., has held “Mother” Jones and seven other organizers and officials of the United Mine workers guilty of contempt of court in violating his injunction of June 19, prohibiting them from “making inflammatory speeches,” and has imposed a sentence of from thirty to ninety days upon all, with the exception of “Mother” Jones.

The injunction in question, which Judge Jackson issued, is directed at the right of free speech. It is a deadlier blow at American liberty and the rights of the masses of the people than has been struck for a long time. It is an outrage which cannot but make the blood of every working man boil with indignation.

Trade unionists know President John Mitchell, of the United Mine workers. They know him by reputation all over the land. They know that he has compelled even those on the capitalistic side to acknowledge that he is cool-headed, conservative, brainy and far-seeing. He is not given to loud talk or extravagant assertions. Yet President Mitchell says of the Jackson decision:

“It imperils the rights of all Americans in the courts.”

It takes something of more than ordinary significance to draw from President Mitchell such an accusation against one of the highest tribunals of justice in the United States. Even now the statement is dignified, and quiet, but for that very reason it carries all the more force with thinking men.

“The rights of all Americans in the courts” is imperiled by what? Trades unions? Strikes? Organized, labor? Boycotts? Oh, no! By the action of a man chosen to meet out justice from the bench of the United States Circuit court, which is next to the Supreme court itself the highest court of justice in the country.

In the case of “Mother” Jones, the judge suspended contempt. In doing so he said that she had been found guilty of contempt, “but as she was posing as a martyr, he would not send her to jail or allow her to force her way into jail.” No more insulting message to organized labor could have been given out than that comment on the case of “Mother” Jones, coming after his action on her case. If she were guilty, she deserved punishment just as much as the others. But, because, forsooth, she is well known among organized labor circles, and her imprisonment would call attention to the monstrous injustice of this ermined anarchist, he sneeringly remarks that he will not allow her to “pose as a martyr,” and turns her loose.

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for October 1901, Part II: Found Speaking in New Jersey and Pennsylvania; Returns to West Virginia

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones WV Miners Conditions, ISR p179 , Sept 1901———————-

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday November 13, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for October 1901, Part II
Found in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia

From the New York Evening World of October 28, 1901:

“MOTHER” JONES TO SPEAK TO THRONGS
———————-

GREAT TURNOUT EXPECTED IN PATERSON TO-NIGHT.
——-
Unionists of All Trades Are Invited to Hear
the Famous Labor Agitator.
——-

Mother Jones, Drawing, SDH p4, Mar 9, 1901

A great gathering of silk weavers and other factory workers is expected to-night at Apollo Hall in Paterson, where “Mother” Jones, the famous Pennsylvania labor agitator, will deliver an address on the advantages of unionism.

Although she comes here at the special invitation of the silk workers, the members of all other trades are invited to attend the meeting, and a great turnout of factory hands is looked for.

Daniel Teevan, the labor leader, has returned to Paterson, after having accompanied “Mother” Jones in her tour through the upper part of New Jersey.

He reports she was well received every where, and at Phillipsburg, Summit and Sterling she addressed large and enthusiastic meetings.

After leaving Paterson “Mother” Jones will go to Hazleton, where she will speak on Tuesday.

[Photograph added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for October 1901, Part I: Found in West Virginia; Gives Interview in Paterson, New Jersey

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones WV Miners Conditions, ISR p179 , Sept 1901———————-

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday November 12, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for October 1901, Part I
Found in West Virginia; Travels to New Jersey and Points East

From The Indianapolis Journal of October 2, 1901:

SECRET MEETING IS HELD
————-

LEADING UNITED MINE WORKERS
AT PARKERSBURG, W. VA.
——-

Mother Jones, Drawing, SDH p4, Mar 9, 1901

PARKERSBURG. W. Va., Oct 1.-The leading representatives of the United Mine Workers of America from all the coal-mining States have been in session at Van Winkle Hotel here for two days and left to-night with the secrets of their sessions well kept….

It is said that President Mitchell could not be present on account of sickness, but even this could not be confirmed by any of those who were in attendance. It is generally believed here that plans were considered for the relief of the Thacker district, in West Virginia, where trouble between the miners and operators has existed for some time.

Among the delegates present were “Mother” Jones, of Chicago; F. C. Reinhardt, Pittsburg; John H. Walker, Danville, Ill.; Thomas Burke, Springfield, Ill.; Chris Evans, Nelsonville, O.; G. W. Purcell, Terre Haute, Ind. [and other officials]….

“Mother” Jones, recognized by the union as one of its best organizers, and Chris Evans, the oldest labor organizer in the country, and other organizers have been working in West Virginia since the first of the year, organizing the miners. It was decided at the last miners’ convention to give special attention to organization in that State.

———————

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for November 1900, Part I: Found with Miners of Pennsylvania and with Socialist of Boston

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Quote Mother Jones, If war Shamokin Sep 8, Phl Iq p2, Sept 9, 1900———-

Hellraisers Journal – Monday December 17, 1900
Mother Jones News Round-Up for November 1900, Part I
Found Celebrating Victory with Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Miners

From Pennsylvania’s Allentown Morning Call of November 1, 1900:

PA Anthracite Strike, Miners Resume Work, Allentown Mrn Cl p1, Nov 1, 1900

Mother Jones, Scranton Tx p1, Oct 13, 1900

HAZLETON, Oct. 31.-All the collieries in the Hazleton district, with the exception of those of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, Milnesville and Derringer, are in operation to-day. The Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Company is ready to resume at once but as to-morrow is a Catholic holiday which is observed generally by Catholics, it is not likely that resumption will begin until Friday. All hands are satisfied and practically a full force of men will report for duty. Derringer is idle because of the inauguration of another strike on account of minor grievances, but it is expected that the colliery will be in operation as usual tomorrow…..

BIG MEETING AT M’ADOO.

The mine workers of the entire South Side held a parade and a big mass meeting at McAdoo to-night. Several visiting mine workers’ locals participated. Addresses were delivered by President Mitchell, George Purcell, John Fahey, “Mother” Jones and others. This was the greatest jollification meeting ever conducted on the south Side. President Mitchell was the first speaker. He concluded in time to make the 9.05 train leaving Hazleton for Mauch Chunk and points west.

MEETING AT LEADER’S GRAVE.

A monster mass meeting of miners will be held at the grave of John Siney, the great labor leader, at St. Clair on Saturday. President Mitchell and members of the national board will speak……

[Photograph added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for October 1900, Part V: Found Declaring Victory at Panther Creek; Grand March Closed Mines

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Miners More Powerful Than Ever, Phl Tx p5, Oct 18, 1900———

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 

From the Philadelphia Times of October 18, 1900:

THE MINE WORKERS STRONGER THAN EVER
———-

(Written for Th Times by “Mother” Jones.)

Hazleton, October 17.

Mother Jones, Scranton Tx p1, Oct 13, 1900

Our victory in closing the mines in Panther Creek, which have been working steadily for years and which have never ceased to operate during a strike, shows that the United Miners to-day are more powerful than ever and perfectly able to continue the struggle for mouths. The only possible solution of the strike is for the mine operators to make the small concessions asked.

There is no reason in the world why they should not do so, because coal is bringing higher prices to-day than ever before. Railroad rails are cheaper than they have been in years, making the profits of the operators double what they have been. Yet the mine workers have received no increase in pay nor benefit from this increased prosperity whatsoever. This means that the hard coal  [anthracite] trust is getting richer every day while the workers are getting poorer. How the operators can refuse the concessions I cannot see.

Mary Jones.

———-

[Photograph added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: United Mine Workers President John Mitchell Declares Victory in Great Anthracite Coal Strike

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, If war Shamokin Sep 8, Phl Iq p2, Sept 9, 1900———-

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday October 27, 1900
Hazleton, Pennsylvania – Mitchell Declares Victory in Great Coal Strike

From the Philadelphia Times of October 26, 1900:

PA Miners Strike, Victory Mt Message, Phl Tx p1, Oct 26, 1900

Special Telegram to THE TIMES.

HAZLETON, October 25.

The great coal strike is a thing of the past.

President Mitchell, at 8 o’clock this evening, issued a statement calling the miners to return to work at all operations where the strikers’ demands have been met. The statement follows:

Temporary Headquarters of the United Mine Workers of America, Hazleton, Pa., October 25, 1900.

To the Miners and Mine Workers of the Anthracite Region.

Gentlemen: After carefully canvassing the entire strike situation, we, your officers, district and national, have concluded that your victory is so nearly complete that no good end can be served by continuing the strike longer. The contest has been in progress for thirty-nine days and the companies employing you have, with few exceptions, signified their willingness to pay the scale of wages formulated by the Scranton convention of October 12 and 13.

We are aware that some disappointment and dissatisfaction has been caused by the failure of the operators in Districts No. 1 and 7 to separate the reduction in the price of powder from the advance in wages; but after careful inquiry we are satisfied that each mine employe will actually receive an advance of ten per cent. on the wages formerly paid. In the Schuylkill and Lehigh regions the largest companies have agreed that the sliding scale should be suspended; and that wages should remain stationary at ten per cent. until April 1, 1901, thus removing one of the iniquities of which you have complained for many years.

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