Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for May and June 1921: Found in Mexico Standing for Organization of Mexican Workers

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Quote Mother Jones PAFL Congress, p72, Jan 13, 1921————–

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday December 21, 1921
Mother Jones News Round-Up for May and June 1921
Found in Mexico City, Standing for Organization of Mexican Workers

From the Tucson Citizen of May 11, 1921:

MOTHER JONES WILL RESIDE IN MEXICO. 

Mother Jones, ed WDC Tx p2, Aug 29, 1920

In January Mother Jones, the noted socialistic agitator who has been in the public eye throughout the United States through many years, went to the City of Mexico to attend an international congress of workingmen and women.

It is announced now that Mrs. Jones has decided to make her permanent residence in Mexico. She is quoted as saying that after many years of story experience in the United States including six penitentiary sentences served she finds Mexico “the only country where she can live la tranquility.”

[Photograph added.]

—————

Note: Mother has been taken into custody many times during her long life of standing with working people, but has never served a sentence in any penitentiary sentence that we know of.

From the Cleveland Toiler of June 4, 1921
-excerpt from article by Geo. N. Falconer:

MOTHER JONES. 

Seemed as if she had been imported specially to boost the Workers’ Mexican Government. “Workers,” she shouted during her several addresses during the Pan-American Congress, “stand by your government and it will stand by you.” 

“The pulse of the world is throbbing today,” declared ‘Mother’ Jones. “Humanity is watching the new Mexico. I want to tell you that there will be no intervention by the capitalist robbers of the United States in the affairs of Mexico. We won’t stand for it. We are going back to the United States and appeal to the workers there to stand by the workers here.”

When she shouted, “You are going to bring the new day in this country and center the eyes of the world on Mexico as well as Russia,” the applause was tremendous. 

Didn’t Mother Jones boost for Woodrow Wilson in 1916? And Mother Jones paid many compliments to that “grand old man of labor,” King Gompers. Why? Is she so ignorant of Samuels’ labor history?

—————

From Proceedings of the Convention of American Federation of Labor at Denver, Colorado, June 13-25, 1921:

…..Ernest Greenwood representing the International Labor Office at Geneva, Frank Bohn, publicist, together with Mother Jones as the invited guest of General Villarreal, minister of agriculture of Mexico, accompanied the party [of representatives of the American Federation of Labor] from St. Louis to Mexico City. Mother Jones attended the meetings of the convention and spoke on two occasions.

On arrival at Nuevo Laredo we learned that that the government of Mexico had sent a reception committee representing the government and labor to the boundary line to meet and greet us…..

Note: emphasis added throughout.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for May and June 1921: Found in Mexico Standing for Organization of Mexican Workers”

Hellraisers Journal: Union Miner George Crum Dies of Wounds After Battle Near Nolan, Mingo County, West Virginia

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Quote Mother Jones Princeton WV Speech Aug 15, 1920, Steel Speeches, p227—————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday May 31, 1921
Mingo County, West Virginia – Union Miner Dead After Battle Near Nolan
 -Senate Committe to Investigate Conditions Along the Tug

From The New York Herald of May 27, 1921:

THIRD VICTIM DEAD AFTER MINGO FIGHT
———-
George Crum in Ante-Mortem Statement
Denies Attempt to Start Trouble.
———-

Nolan WV Battle, Guardsman n Trooper Killed, Wlg Int p1, May 26, 1921
Wheeling Intelligencer
May 26, 1921

WILLIAMSON, W. Va., May 26.-George Crum who was shot in a fight between a detail of State police and Kentucky National Guardsmen on one side and a party of men they encountered in a road near Nolan, W. Va., last night, died in a hospital here this afternoon. A State policeman and a Guardsman were killed in the encounter.

Gov. Morgan in Charleston to-day announced that ten thousand rifle cartridges shipped from St. Louis and consigned to Sid Hatfield, feudist, at Matewan, W. Va., are being held in the office of the American Railway Express at Bluefield.

The cartridges are being held at the request of Gov. Morgan, made to the president of the Norfolk and Western Railroad. An embargo was placed on the shipment of arms and munitions into Mingo county last week.

State and county authorities to-night watched with extreme caution the situation along the West Virginia-Kentucky border after the events of last night at Nolan. Capt. Brockus of the State police, reported that the region was quiet. A similar report came from Sheriff A. C. Pinson of Mingo county.

Soon after Crum was admitted to the hospital he told the authorities that he had done nothing to excite the trouble at the Nolan ferry, where the fight started, and during which Private Charles Kackley of the West Virginia State police and Private Manley Vaughan of the Kentucky National Guard, were killed.

An arrest under Gov. Morgan’s proclamation of martial law for Mingo was reported to-night. Sheriff Pinson announced that Ross Perry was arrested by deputy sheriffs near Gilbert, W. Va., and charged with having ammunition in his possession. He was held without bail.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Union Miner George Crum Dies of Wounds After Battle Near Nolan, Mingo County, West Virginia”

Hellraisers Journal: Blacklisted Alabama Coal Miners and Their Families Are Without Food, Continue to Live in Tents

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Quote EVD, Starve Quietly, Phl GS Speech IA, Mar 19, 1910—————

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday May 29, 1921
Alabama Coal Miners Continue to Live in Tents, Are Without Food

From the Duluth Labor World of May 28, 1921:

RUN ‘AGITATORS’ OUT OF ALABAMA!
—————
Governor of State Joins With Mine Owners in
Attempt to Crush Miners’ Union.
———-

Alabama Miners n Families in Tents bottom, UMWJ p9, Mar 15, 1921
-from the United Mine Workers Journal of March 15, 1921

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 26.—It is estimated that 40,000 men, women and children in the coal district of Alabama are without food. They are housed in tents furnished by the United Mine Workers of America. To relieve this situation, trade unionists are contributing funds and the [Minnesota] state federation of labor has forwarded $500. The coal owners deny that starvation exists, while they force miners to make oath that they are not, and never will be, members of the United Mine Workers.

A statewide blacklist is being conducted against the union miners with the approval of Governor Kilby. The state executive acted as arbitrator in the recent mine strike, and supported the coal owners in every point.

Governor Kilby also ruled that the coal owners are under no obligation to re-employ these miners. The governor has been called upon to relieve the distress that his decision cre­ated, but refuses to act, and has pub­licly declared that he “sympathized with the miners.” This statement has brought a withering reply from Van R. Bittner, representative of the United Mine Workers, who tells the official that “such hypocrisy makes men wonder.” The trade unionist refers to a public statement by the governor when the strike was on, wherein the people of Alabama were called upon to “run the agitators out of our state.”

———-

[Detail from above photograph.]

Alabama Miners n Families in Tents bottom crpd, UMWJ p9, Mar 15, 1921

[Photographs and emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Blacklisted Alabama Coal Miners and Their Families Are Without Food, Continue to Live in Tents”

Hellraisers Journal: Sid Hatfield Goes to Williamson Alone, Post Bonds on Warrant Charging Assault of Mine Superintendent

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Quote Sid Hatfield, re Gunthugs n Right to Organize, Altoona Tb Lbr Ns p10, Sept 3, 1920—————

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday May 26, 1921
Williamson, West Virginia – Hatfield Arrives Alone to Post Bond 

From The Washington Herald of May 25, 1921:

HATFIELD AVOIDS DEPUTIES AND
GOES TO SHERIFF ALONE
———-
Baldwin-Felts Detectives Acquitted of
Slaying Mingo Mayor.
———-

Sid Hatfield crpd, Two Gun, Akron Beacon Jr p1, Mar 21, 1921

WILLIAMSON. W. Va., May 24.-“Sid” Hatfield, of Matewan, reputed champion “two-gun bad man” of Mingo county, came to town today. The sheriff had sent a deputy or two to bring him on a warrant charging him with an assault with a rifle on P. J. Smith, superintendent of the Stone Mountain mine, but Hatfield took the train alone. Half the town was down to the station to see him arrive, and the “white way” was all lit up in expectation that something might happen, but Hatfield walked up to the court house, hung around until the sheriff got back from feeding the bloodhounds, then gave bonds and went home on No. 16. The town sagged back into dullness. At the sheriff’s office, Hatfield exposed his gold bridgework in a smile and remarked

When I aim to go anywhere I aim to go alone. They’ve got in the habit of blaming me for everything that happens at Matewan.

Hatfield, who is accounted the most dangerous man in the mountains is a queer mixture. He is as strong against liquor as is Bryan and as for gambling, only last week he chased a Kentucky native out of Matewan in a rage for suggesting that he be permitted to open a poker game. But gun shooting is something different. For months residents of these parts have been giving Matewan a wide berth, and one finds automobiles in this town sticking inside the city limits, unless it is something urgent.

This morning the mine of Lynn Coal and Coke company, just above Matewan, was burned. This mine was abandoned after the strike was called. The operators say that last winter strikers were allowed to take up quarters in company houses at Lynn on agreement they would vacate May 1. When moving day arrived some refused and evictions followed. Mine owners attribute the fire to strikers and term it another instance of sabotage. At Leesburg a Greenbriar county jury today acquitted the six Baldwin-Felts detectives who were on trial for killing Mayor Testerman and Tots Tinsley in the battle of Matewan May 19, 1920, when 10 were killed.

———-

[Photograph and emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Sid Hatfield Goes to Williamson Alone, Post Bonds on Warrant Charging Assault of Mine Superintendent”

Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for April 1921: Found in Washington DC with Gompers, Protesting West Virginia’s Jury Bill

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Quote Mother Jones, Doomed, Wmsn WV, June 20, 1920, Speeches Steel, p213—————

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday May 25, 1921
Mother Jones News Round-Up for April 1921
-Found in Washington, D. C., Protesting West Virginia’s Jury Bill

From the Washington Evening Star of April 1, 1921:

PROTEST WEST VIRGINIA JURY LEGISLATION
———-
Samuel Gompers and ”Mother” Jones Speak
at Central Labor Meeting.

Mother Jones IN Dly Tx p1 crpd, July 15, 1920

President Samuel Gompers of the American Federation of Labor and “Mother” Jones of the United Mine Workers led the local protest against enactment of the proposed jury legislation for West Virginia at a special mass meeting of Central Labor Union, in Musicians’ Hall, last night.

President Gompers denounced the proposed law as an abrogation of the right guaranteed to a defendant under the Constitution of the United States providing trial by jury and change of venue. He said that a premeditated conspiracy for the destruction of trades unionism was at the basis of the move for the law which will allow a judge to select a jury from any county in the state no matter in which county the trial was being held. He charged that the judiciary, consciously or unconsciously, were aiding in the fight against organized labor.

Mother Jones was vehement in her expressions against the proposed legislation. She flayed local labor for its seemingly supine attitude.

[She said:]

You haven’t any fire in you at all, sitting here with your comfortable air, while tyranny is being wrought in West Virginia, where babes of murdered fathers are starving for their very bread.

At the conclusion of the meeting a resolution was adopted unanimously denouncing the proposed legislation.

The resolution declared that “the legislature of West Virginia has passed a bill which would place the power in the hands of a trial judge in that state to select a jury from counties outside of that in which the trial is being held,” and that if enacted the proposal would mean “the abrogation of the intent of the jury system.”

———-

[Photograph added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for April 1921: Found in Washington DC with Gompers, Protesting West Virginia’s Jury Bill”

Hellraisers Journal: Martial Law in Mingo Used Against Union Men; UMW Organizer A. D. Lavinder Held Incommunicado

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Quote Mother Jones Princeton WV Speech Aug 15, 1920, Steel Speeches, p227—————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday May 24, 1921
Mingo County, West Virginia – Martial Law Used Against Union Miners

From the Minnesota Daily Star of May 24, 1921

JAIL ORGANIZER OF MINE UNION
Martial Law in Mingo Is Used as
Weapon Against Men

WV Revised State Seal, Sc n Lbr Str p1, May 31, 1912
-from The Socialist and Labor Star of May 31, 1912

Washington, May 21.-Jailing of union organizers by state police has begun in Mingo county, according to word received here this morning by Frank Keeney and Fred Mooney, president and secretary of District 17.

A. D. Lavinder, organizer in the Matewan district, was arrested late yesterday in Williamson by constabulary for carrying a pistol. He was roughly handled and put in jail where he is now held incommunicado.

Lavinder had a permit to carry weapons but under the proclamation of martial law weapons may be carried only in one’s home or place of business.

Several other union men were arrested yesterday in Mingo county.

———-

[Emphasis and cartoon added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Martial Law in Mingo Used Against Union Men; UMW Organizer A. D. Lavinder Held Incommunicado”

Hellraisers Journal: Martial Law Declared for Mingo County; Keeney Promises Pay to Non-Union Miners Who Quit Work

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Quote Mother Jones Princeton WV Speech Aug 15, 1920, Steel Speeches, p227—————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday May 21, 1921
Mingo County, West Virginia – Governor Declares Martial Law
 -Keeney’s reply is to promise pay to non-union men who quit work.

From The West Virginian of May 20, 1921:

Mingo Co WV, Gov Proclaims Martial Law, WVgn p1, May 20, 1921—–Mingo Co WV, Keeney Replies to Martial Law, WVgn p1, May 20, 1921

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Martial Law Declared for Mingo County; Keeney Promises Pay to Non-Union Miners Who Quit Work”

Hellraisers Journal: From The Wheeling Intelligencer: “Heavy Firing From Mountaineers Sunday Night at Merrimac”

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Quote Fred Mooney, Mingo Co Gunthugs, UMWJ p15, Dec 1, 1920—————-

Hellraisers Journal – Monday May 16, 1921
Merrimac, West Virginia – Heavy Firing Continues Sunday Night

From The Wheeling Intelligencer of May 16, 1921:

WV Mingo Three Day Battle on Tug, Merrimac, Wlg Int p1, May 16, 1921—–WV Mingo Three Day Battle on Tug, Keeney, State Police, KY Troops, , Wlg Int p1, May 16, 1921

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From The Wheeling Intelligencer: “Heavy Firing From Mountaineers Sunday Night at Merrimac””

Hellraisers Journal: From The Wheeling Intelligencer: Battle Along the Tug Rages On; Six Known Dead in Mingo Coal Fields

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Quote Fred Mooney, Mingo Co Gunthugs, UMWJ p15, Dec 1, 1920—————

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday May 15, 1921
Battle Along the Tug Rages On; Six Known Dead in Mingo Coal Fields

From The Wheeling Intelligencer of May 14, 1921:

WV Mingo Three Day Battle Rages on Tug, Wlg Int p1, May 14, 1921—–WV Mingo Three Day Battle on Tug, Six Dead, Wlg Int p1, May 14, 1921

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From The Wheeling Intelligencer: Battle Along the Tug Rages On; Six Known Dead in Mingo Coal Fields”

Hellraisers Journal: From The West Virginian: “Bloody Battles in Mingo Zone; Four Killed in Fights Along the Border”

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Quote Fred Mooney, Mingo Co Gunthugs, UMWJ p15, Dec 1, 1920—————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday May 14, 1921
Bloody Battles Along the Tug; Fighting Continues on Both Sides of Border

From The West Virginian of May 13, 1921:

Three Day Battle of the Tug Mingo HdLn, WVgn p1, May 13, 1921—–https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86072054/1921-05-13/ed-1/seq-1/—–Three Day Battle of the Tug Mingo KY n WV, WVgn p1, May 13, 1921

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From The West Virginian: “Bloody Battles in Mingo Zone; Four Killed in Fights Along the Border””