You ought to be out raising hell. This is the fighting age. Put on your fighting clothes.
-Mother Jones
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Monday November 9, 1903
From the The Indianapolis News: "Colorado Miners Obey the Order to Strike"
FEW REPORTED FOR WORK IN DISTRICT 15.
SURPRISE FOR OPERATORS
Denver, November 9.-Information received from the coal fields of Colorado to-day indicates that the strike of coal miners will be more extended than anticipated. It is reported that the order of the executive committee of the United Mine Workers of America declaring a strike in District 15 for to-day has been obeyed in Colorado almost to the man.
At certain mines where it was confidently believed a sufficient number of men could be retained to operate them, it appears that not enough men reported to make a showing.
In the northern fields, where the men decided to strike upon their own referendum vote because an eight-hour day has not been granted, the walkout is complete. It is said that several of the independent mine will make efforts to continue in operation, but, it is understood, with little hope of success.
Troops in Readiness
Unusual precautions have been taken by the sheriff of Las Animas county in southern Colorado, where trouble is feared. It is reported that strikers have threatened violence if they are ousted from the cottages of the Victor Fuel Company and the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company. The State troops are being held in readiness.
Already the effects of the strike are being felt in this city. Practically all the dealers announced to-day that they had no coal to sell. The prospect is favorable for a serious coal famine in Denver and other points in the state.
Mass evictions from the coal company "cottages" (shacks) are underway at this time. And, in fact, the miners, rather than threatening violence, have prepared for this eventuality by establishing tent colonies on land rented by the union. The company guards, however, do not refrain from violence as they evict the striking miners and their families, kicking in doors, ransacking family belongings, and generally spreading terror as they roam about the strike district heavily armed. Most of these company gunthugs have been deputized by the Las Animas County Sheriff.
SOURCES
The Indianapolis News
(Indianapolis, IN)
-of Nov 9, 1903
History of the Labor Movement in the United States Vol. 3
The Policies and Practices of the American Federation of Labor 1900-1909
-by Philip S Foner
International Pub, 1981
Out of the Depths
The Story of John R. Lawson, a Labor Leader
-by Barron B. Beshoar
(1st ed 1942)
CO, 1980
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Sunday November 9, 1913
Calumet, Michigan - Big Annie, leading parade, among 99 arrested by cavalrymen.
Reported yesterday from Calumet:
Cavalrymen stationed in Calumet this morning [November 8] arrested ninety-nine strikers and sympathizers on a blanket charge of violating the injunction [against picketing]. The arrests were made on Calumet avenue near the M. E. church, between 6 and 7 o'clock. A parade, headed by "Big Annie" Cemenc, proceeded north from Red Jacket road..
And from the
El Paso Herald:
STRIKERS PARADE IN FIERCE BLIZZARD
Calumet, Mich., Nov. 8.-During a fierce blizzard which brought between eight and ten inches of snow in the Calumet copper mining region today, the striking miners and their wives and daughters paraded in half a dozen towns. A party of 100 strikers, led by Mrs. Annie Clemence, established pickets around mining properties here. Eighty were arrested on a charge of violating the federal court's injunction against picketing. They were released on their own recognizance to appear in court next week.
SOURCES
Annie Clemenc
& the Great Keweenaw Copper Strike
-by Lyndon Comstock
SC, 2013
El Paso Herald
(El Paso, TX)
-of Nov 9, 1913
Photo: Copper Country History
http://coppercountry.wordpress.com/...
(scroll down)
Note: photo dated Feb 1914, used here to represent
strikers marching in spite of cold and snow.
The Tyomies Publishing Company places the photo in Hancock.
http://www.ihrc.umn.edu/...
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Saturday November 9, 2013
More from Copper Country History:
Call for Papers for Retrospection & Respect: Michigan’s 1913-14 Copper Miners’ Strike
Abstract submission is now open and will close on December 16, 2013. Submitters will be notified of the acceptance of papers on January 16, 2014. Please direct all inquiries regarding paper topics and presentation details to Dr. Sam Sweitz (srsweitz@mtu.edu). We will consider proposals for mini-symposia, consisting of three to five papers, organized around a central theme or project as part of this symposium. Please contact Dr. Sweitz regarding any such proposals.
Abstracts should be submitted via email to copper@mtu.edu, with the subject line “Symposium Proposal.” Abstracts should be no more than 250 words. Accepted paper presentations will be 20 minutes in length.
Read more here:
http://coppercountry.wordpress.com/...
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Fire in the Hole-Hazel Dickens
Stand up boys, let the bosses know
Turn your buckets over, turn your lanterns low
There's fire in our hearts and fire in our soul
but there ain't gonna be no fire in the hole
There ain't gonna be no fire in the hole.
-Hazel Dickens