minewar.org documenting the 1930's Illinois Mine War
The Jargon of Authenticity
The sign traversing the entryway of the Union Miners Cemetery has changed over the years. These photos show that the word "REAL" was changed to "GOOD" some time after 1976. It's likely the original was a rebuke to John L. Lewis and the United Mine Workers. The photo on the left is a detail from an image housed at the West Virginia and Regional History Collection.
Reviewing the terrific online photos hosted by the West Virginia and Regional Historical Collection, I noticed a change in the signage over the entrance of the Union Miners Cemetery in Mt. Olive Illinois. As you can see from the photos the word “REAL” was changed to “GOOD” some time after 1976. No doubt the original was a rebuke to John L. Lewis and the United Mine Workers.
My guess is that the change occurred some time after the deed to the cemetery was transferred from the Progressive Mine Workers of America. Tax records show the deed has been held by the Union Miners Association since 1974.
That deed was originally held by the UMWA. Its Locals 728 and 125 were based in Mt. Olive but the deed changed hands when those workers “went Progressive” and formed P.M. of A. Local 35 in 1932.
