Hellraisers Journal: Frank Ingham, Union Miner, Charges He Was Beaten by McDowell County Sheriff’s Deputies

16th July 202113th July 2021 Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921

Quote Mother Jones, Powers of Privilege ed, Ab Chp III —————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday July 16, 1921
Washington, D. C. – Frank Ingham Before Senate Investigating Committee

From the Washington Evening Star of July 15, 1921:

WVCF Sen Com, Testimony Frank Ingham, WDC Eve Str p2, July 15, 1921

From Hearings before Senate Committe
-Now Investigating West Virginia Coal Fields
-July 14, 1921, excerpt from testimony of Frank Ingham:

Mr. INGHAM. Then they [McDowell County sheriff’s deputies] drove the car down there between Welch and Hemphill, and there they stopped and they dragged me out of the car, and they took me about 100 yards away from the car and then they began to beat me over the head and back with these iron clubs, and then when they decided that I was dead, when they decided that there was not any life in me, they drew off of me and stood and talked, and Ed Johnson, the sheriff’s deputy , he came back to me and kicked me in the face…He holds the position of deputy sheriff under Sheriff Daniels, and he come back and he kicked me in the face and he robbed my pocket…Well, I had prayed earnestly to God, and I believe that God heard me and that he answered my prayer, and I was conscious all the way. I had $25.07 in my pocketbook, and I also had a receipt from Mr. R. H. Campbell; I had borrowed $100 from him and I had a receipt from him and one from Dr. Hamburger, and my railroad ticket…Ed Johnson [took those things]….I never got anything [back].

And then they went off and they left me lying in the woods, and they went out to the road and they got in their machine and drove back toward Welch, and the automobiles ran out of my hearing. I raised my head up from off of the ground, and I stayed there until I collected strength enough to get out of the road, and then I went out to a little coaling station, I believe they call it the Farm coaling station, I believe they call it that, and an engineer was there and a fireman was there coaling up an engine, and they asked me what was the matter with me and I told them that I had been in the hands of the mob. They asked me what I had been in the hands of the mob for and I told them because I belonged to the union.

[Emphasis added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Fred Mooney, U. M. W. District 17 Secretary-Treasurer, Testifies Before Senate Investigating Committee

15th July 202113th July 2021 Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921

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

Hellraisers Journal – Friday July 15, 1921
Washington, D. C. – Fred Mooney Testifies on Behalf of Mingo Miners

From the Washington Evening Star of July 14, 1921:

Peace may be near in Mingo county, W. Va., where several hundred coal miners have been on strike for more than a year, it was developed today before hearing begun before a sub-committee of the Senate committee on education and labor to determine the causes of the industrial situation in Mingo county.

Members of the committee, headed by Senator Kenyon, sought to ascertain whether the Governor of West Virginia had acted upon the suggestion submitted three days ago by the miners. Questions asked by members of the committee carried a suggestion that the committee might attempt to bring the sides to the coal controversy together if it were found that a real basis had been suggested for a compromise.

Fred Mooney, secretary-treasurer of District 17, the miners’ union, representing the Mingo field, told the committee that the strikers were ready to go back to work if the operators would receive them without prejudice and would not insist upon employing only non-union labor…..

—————

[Emphasis added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for June 1901, Part IV: Found Speaking at Memorial Service for Martyrs of St. Louis Streetcar Strike

12th July 20218th July 2021 Janet RayeHellraisers Journal

Quote EVD, re St Louis Streetcar Strike Massacre, LW p1, June 23, 1900 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Friday July 12, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for June 1901, Part IV
Found Speaking at Memorial for Martyrs of St. Louis Streetcar Strike

From The Indianapolis Journal of June 14, 1901:

“Mother” Jones in the City.

“Mother” Jones, known the United States over by organised labor, and particularly by members of the United Mine Workers of America, with whom she has been personally identified in many strike, made an unexpected visit to the Mine Workers’ headquarters yesterday. She is on her way to St. Louis to deliver an address, and then will visit the Illinois miners. “Mother” Jones is a regularly employed organizer of the miners’ organization now, and is said to be one of its most successful workers, especially in time of strikes.

[Drawing of Mother Jones added.]

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch of June 17, 1901:

MOTHER JONES SPOKE
———-

HER ADDRESS WAS FEATURE OF
LABOR MEMORIAL SERVICES.
———-
LEON GREENBAUM PRESIDED
———-
Exercises Were Held in Memory of Men
Killed in Street Car Strike Riot.

At the Odeon Sunday afternoon, services in memory of the three men killed, June 10, 1900, during the parade of former street car employes on Washington avenue, were held under the auspices of the Central Trades and Labor Union.

The hall was well filled, the widows of George Rine [Ryne] and Arthur E. Burkhart [Ed Burkhardt], two of the men killed, being among those present. Each was accompanied by two little children.

The principal address was made by “Mother” Mary Jones of Chicago. All of the speeches had special reference to the street car strike, its causes and the conditions which preceded it, with a general bearing upon the rights of organized labor.

Leon Greenbaum presided and the services were in charge of the memorial committee of the Central labor body, consisting of J. H. Rakel, chairman; David Kreyling, secretary; R. M. Parker, treasurer; A. Hamberg and Leon Greenbaum. Music was furnished by the United Singing Societies.

In opening the meeting, Mr. Greenbaum, who was the Socialist candidate for mayor last spring, reviewed the events which led up to the strike of 1900. He described the scene on Washington avenue, when Thomas Rine and Burkhart fell before the riot guns of the posse.

William M. Brandt, business agent of the Cigar Makers’ Union, who helped organize the street car men in preparation for the strike, told of the conditions as he found them at the time the work was undertaken.

“Mother” Jones, the organizer of the Mine Workers’ Union, was next introduced and made an address of two hours’ duration. She was received with cheers from the audience, which proclaimed her the “friend of the laboring man,” and was frequently interrupted by applause. Her remarks were directed chiefly against corporations and the trusts.

She said she was engaged in helping the miners of Maryland win a strike while the St. Louis trouble was in progress, and, hence, was unable to be here, but her heart went out in sympathy to those who were struggling for their rights.

She advocated a revolution, if Congress and the state legislatures did not soon “give the people their rights.”

“Mother” Jones said she had been charged with inciting trouble, and believed that, in rousing the people, lay the only safety for this country.

“The most dangerous thing on earth,” she declared, “is a contented slave.”

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for June 1901, Part III: Found Speaking to Mine Workers of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

11th July 202111th July 2021 Janet RayeHellraisers Journal

Quote Mother Jones, Love Each Other, UMWC Ipl IN, Jan 25, 1901 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday July 11, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for June 1901, Part III
Found Speaking to Mine Workers of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania

From the Wilkes-Barre Times of June 11, 1901:

National Board Member Fred Dilcher and “Mother” Mary Jones returned to Scranton yesterday morning from Lykens and Williamstown in Dauphin county where they made a number of addresses to Mine Workers on Friday and Saturday. They will remain here during the week.

[Drawing of Mother Jones added.]

From the Wilkes-Barre Record of June 11, 1901:

PRESIDENT MITCHELL IN SCRANT0N.

President John Mitchell of the United Mine Workers arrived in Scranton yesterday afternoon from Indianapolis. President Mitchell’s visit to Scranton is for the purpose of appearing as prosecutor in the case of criminal libel against Richard Little, the editor of the Scrantonian, and which is on the trial list for to-day.

District president Nicholls, Fred Dilcher and “Mother” Jones also arrived in Scranton and will confer with President Mitchell during the week with reference to labor questions.

From the Scranton Tribune of June 11, 1901:

HE MAY NEVER BE TRIED
———-
Libel Case Against Richard Little Will Not
Be Called Today. Conference Last Night.
—–

The libel case against Richard Little, editor of the Scrantonian, in which President John Mitchell, of the United Mine Workers, is the prosecutor, will not be tried today. It is possible It will never go to trial.

A conference for the purpose of effecting a compromise was held last night, at the St. Charles, in President Mitchell’s room. It was arranged for during the afternoon.

The conference lasted from 8 o’clock until 2 o’clock this morning. There were present President Mitchell and his attorney, Joseph O’Brien, and Editor Little and Attorney John F. Scragg.

About 11 o’clock the door of President Mitchell’s room was opened and all the assembled labor leaders invited in. In response to the invitation came National Organizer Fred Dilcher, “Mother” Mary Jones, President T. D. Nichols, of District No. 1; President Thomas Duffy, of District No. 9; Secretary John Dempsey, Organizers Robert Courtright and Nicholas Burke, Committeemen Henry Collins and J. J. Kearney, of District No. 1; Martin D. Flaherty, of the American Federation of Labor, and D. J. Keefe, president of the International Association of Longshoremen, who is now developes is the mysterious “Mr. Guernsey” of last fall.

Nothing would be given out from the conference except that the case would not be tried to-day…..

From the Shenandoah Evening Herald of June 11, 1901:

“Mother” Jones, accompanied by two Philadelphia newspaper men, visited the county jail Sunday afternoon, and spent some time with the Oneida rioters.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for June 1901, Part III: Found Speaking to Mine Workers of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania” →

Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for June 1901, Part I: Victorious Scranton Silk Mill Strikers, “Gave Their Masters a Good Hammering”

9th July 20218th July 2021 Janet RayeHellraisers Journal

Quote Mother Jones, St L Lbr, Apr 13, 1901 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday July 9, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for June 1901, Part I
Found Describing Victory of Scranton Silk Mill Strikers

From the International Socialist Review of June 1901:

The silk weavers’ strike at Scranton, Pa., which was directed by Mother Jones, and which has been pending for many months, was won by the workers, while the strike at Paterson, N. J., was lost, owing largely to the fact that the courts issued an injunction against the women and children, and the police assaulted them for attempting to persuade scabs to refuse to work. “Mother,” besides organizing for the unions, is now putting in some spare time in forming unions of domestic servants.

—————

We have just received the following letter from “Mother Jones,” which we must again offer in place of the promised article. We feel sure that our readers will appreciate the reason for the delay:

Dear Comrades:

I owe you an apology for not writing to you before. You know I had a strike of 4,000 children on my hands for three months and could not spare a moment. If that strike was lost it meant untold oppression for these little helpless things. They came out victorious and gave their masters a good hammering. I could not write a thing for June, but will for July.

I have had a very hard winter’s work, but have done just as much for socialism as if I were writing articles. One very cheering feature is that the cause is growing everywhere. I have been landing plenty of literature In the hands of the boys.

[Drawing of Mother Jones added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for June 1901, Part I: Victorious Scranton Silk Mill Strikers, “Gave Their Masters a Good Hammering”” →

Hellraisers Journal: From United Mine Workers Journal: Thousands Gather for Memorial Services at Ludlow Monument

6th July 20215th July 2021 Janet RayeHellraisers Journal

Quote Frank Hayes, Here on Ludlow Field, UMWJ June 6, 1918 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday July 6, 1921
Ludlow, Colorado – Memorial Services Held at Ludlow Monument

From the United Mine Workers Journal of July 1, 1921:

LUDLOW, Colo., June 20.-A crowd of more than 4,000 attended the annual memorial services at Ludlow monument yesterday. Ludlow monument was erected by the United Mine Workers of America on the scene of the inhuman massacre in 1914 of eighteen men, women and children by thugs and assassins in the employ of coal companies in the murderous campaign to prevent the mine workers of Colorado from joining the union. It was the largest crowd that ever attended a memorial service in memory of these heroic, helpless victims of the gunman’s fury.

An almost perfect June day and the published announcements that the international heads of the U. M. W. of A. would be present served to create more interest than usual.

There was considerable disappointment when a telegram was read by President Jno. McLennan of Dist. 15 stating John L. Lewis and Wm. Green would not be present because they had very important business on hand early Monday morning in Denver and, in view of the disarranged train schedules, feared they could not take a chance on delay.

Instead the principal address was delegated to Philip Murray of Pittsburgh, International Vice-President. Mr. Murray was the last speaker of the program and held his audience with a talk that was a mixture of real oratory, sentiment and humor, all delivered with a very pleasing and pronounced Irish brogue…..

[Vice-President Murray] spoke directly to the women and children during part of his address, urging them to use their influence on the non-union miners to join the organization…..

Reference was made to the Mingo county mine war in West Virginia, which Murray said had cost the lives of fifty union men in the past year. He said the miners there were made of stern stuff and were prepared to defend their homes with their lives.

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Hellraisers Journal: Governor of West Virginia Orders Draft to Raise Army to Enforce Martial Law in Mingo County

30th June 202130th June 2021 Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921

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

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday June 30, 1921
Mingo County – Governor Orders Army to Enforce Martial Law on Union Miners

From The West Virginian of June 28, 1921:

CHARLESTON, June 28.-Governor E. F. Morgan by proclamation here today reaffirmed his declaration of martial law in Mingo county and commanded the assessor to enroll all persons liable under the law for military duty.

He also ordered the sheriff to draft 130 men or to accept 130 volunteers who are to be mustered into the service of the state for 60 days to enforce all orders promulgated by the Governor.

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Hellraisers Journal: Mother Jones Writes to Peter Powers; Tells of Women and Children Thrown into Rat-Infested Jail

29th June 202129th June 2021 Janet RayeHellraisers Journal

Quote Mother Jones, PA Strike Greensburg Women Sing Jail, Ab p146, 1925 —————–

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday June 29, 1911
Mother Jones Tells of Women and Children in Rat-Infested Jail

From the Evansville Press of June 29, 1911:

PETER POWERS TALK
-WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIGHT JAIL RATS.

Gilson Gardner’s story of women and girls thrown into a vermin-infested rat-hole called a jail because they “disturbed the peace” by beating a tin can and singing at a strikebreaker in Westmoreland-co, Pa., is not overdrawn.

I have just received a letter from Mother Jones, “the angel of the miners,” who has gone into Westmoreland-co, Pa., to lead in the unequal fight of the impoverished men, women and children against the gigantic corporations.

[Writes Mother:]

There were three generations in jail because they could not pay $10 apiece in fines to a corporation ‘squire, who might as well have demanded $10,000 as $10. There was a mother, her three months’ old baby and a grandmother besides two little children who could not walk, huddled together in a foul prison fighting off rats. Can such conditions prevail in Russia? I doubt it. I know they would not be tolerated in monarchial England or Germany. The men of this nation who permit such outrages are cowards.

The so-called judge who sentenced the women and children to jail without mercy is an ardent church-goer. Last Sunday 2,000 miners and their wives and children marched-it’s an old custom and second nature of miners to hold processions. The church people sent the Cossacs to tell us not to play the band or do any singing, as they were praying. Perhaps if we had disobeyed we would nave been in contempt or court.

Mrs. Dot Smith, Aged 19, and Her Three-
Months-Old Baby, Sentenced to 20 Days
in County Jail For Beating a Tomato Can
and Making Sarcastic Remarks While
a Scab Was Passing Her House.

[Photographs and emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Mother Jones Writes to Peter Powers; Tells of Women and Children Thrown into Rat-Infested Jail” →

Hellraisers Journal: “Probe in Mingo by Senate Now Certain” -Sam Montgomery in Washington, D. C. Insists on Inquiry

28th June 202127th June 2021 Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921

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

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday June 28, 1921
Washington, District of Columbia – Senate Committee to Investigate Mingo

From the Martinsburg Journal of June 25, 1921:

Washington, June 24.—Tho Senate is to investigate the situation in the coal fields of Mingo county, and to probe the causes leading up to the shooting which broke out in that community several weeks ago. The senate resolution directing the investigation to be made by a special committee of the senate was adopted by the senate Wednesday afternoon by a viva voce vote, and without opposition. Senator King immediately moved a reconsideration of the vote and the motion to reconsider went over. But the resolution was adopted by such a substantial vote that there would seem to be no more chance for its defeat on reconsideration.

Sam B. Montgomery, former state labor commissioner of West Virginia has been here for several days insisting upon the investigation being made by the senate. Senator Hiram W. Johnson, of California, was the author of the resolution which was adopted, and he also insisted upon its passage.

Thinks It Will Help.

Mr. Montgomery, in the last two days, has called upon the president, the attorney general and George Christian, secretary to the president and impressed on each of them the views of organized labor in West Virginia, to the effect that the investigation should be made.

In the opinion of Mr. Montgomery, the investigation by the senate will end all the trouble and prevent farther shooting in Mingo county. He pointed to the good results which followed the senate’s investigation of conditions on Cabin creek, and predicted that good will follow this investigation also, both for the operators and the miners.

While the motion for reconsideration is pending, the final adoption of the resolution will be delayed, and until its adoption the personnel of the investigating committee will not be announced. But it is the intention of the senate to have the committee appointed and the investigation started at the earliest possible moment.

—————

[Emphasis added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: West Virginia Federationist: Governor’s Sworn Duty is to Remove Coal Operators’ Private Army

27th June 202127th June 2021 Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921

Quote Mother Jones Princeton WV Speech Aug 15, 1920, Steel Speeches, p230 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Monday June 27, 1921
West Virginia Federationist Demands Removal of Gunthug Army

From the Duluth Labor World of June 18, 1921:

CHARLESTON, W. Va., June 16.—In an address to business men in this city Governor Morgan said: “Thank God, the awakening is coming in Mingo county.”

To this statement the West Virginia Federationist replies:

Yes, it is coming, but through no effort of you, the coal masters or any of the state officials.

The awakening will arrive when the federal investigation committee makes public their findings and expose the vicious system of the industrial overlords who have ruled with brute force and crushed a liberty loving people under the iron heel of greed by the usurpation of the constitution and the enforcement of a law of the gun and club in the hands of their thug army, aided and abetted by the public officials whom they own and control.

Governor Morgan was absolutely right when he stated that “the people of West Virginia don’t understand the situation as it exists today.” If they did there would be a mighty roar throughout the entire state demanding that he perform his sworn duty to uphold law and order by removing the private army of coal company thugs from Mingo, Logan and McDowell counties and restore constitutional rights to the citizenship thereof.

If he wanted to acquaint the people with conditions he could have quoted an editorial from the Charleston Mail in openly advocating mob law, said: “What is needed to settle that trouble on Tug river is a few tugs by the sheriff’s assistants at a stout rope.”

In other words, the Mail advocates that the thugs and bums recruited by agents of the coal masters to break the miners’ strike should string up the citizens of Mingo county who are struggling for their American rights and more bread and butter for their families.

—————

[Emphasis added.]

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Tag: United Mine Workers of America