minewar.org documenting the 1930's Illinois Mine War
Without Mercy, Let Alone Justice
After enjoining Governor Horner to protect their civil liberties a couple of weeks earlier, men and women lawfully demonstrating in support of the Progressive Miners of America were assaulted and severely beaten by Franklin County sheriff’s deputies and Lewis-Walker gun-thugs in the town of West Frankfort, IL on February 5, 1933. A contingent of injured […]
Commemorating The Great March
On January 26, 1933, 10,000 members of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Progressive Miners of America assembled in Springfield, IL to march on the state capitol. Outraged by the wanton disregard for civil liberties, the violent abuse suffered at the hands of thugs and local law enforcement and the lack of basic economic relief for […]
Christmas Eve, 1932 ~ Tragedy in Moweaqua
Beyond the battles of labor, government and industry, coal mining has always been an extremely hazardous enterprise. And in 1932 the Christmas holiday marked a dark day for Illinois mining. On the morning of Christmas Eve, an underground methane gas explosion took the lives of 54 miners. “Families of miners, sober faced and dry eyed, […]
New Photos Discovered
Will Stone at the Christian County Coal Mine Museum recently received a donation of snapshots which document life in Kincaid, IL during the mine war. The photographer is unknown. In this photo members of the Illinois State Militia pose while enforcing martial law in Kincaid. More pictures coming soon…
Let No Traitor Breathe O’er My Grave
October 12 marks the anniversary of the Battle of Virden, when in 1898 striking Illinois miners stood their ground and turned back the coal barons. Eight union miners lost their lives that day. The difficulties didn’t end there though since even burying the slain men became controversial. In The Union Miners Cemetery, John Keiser writes: […]
New Union Launched
Today marks the 79th anniversary of the founding of the Progressive Miners of America. Outraged by John L. Lewis’ autocratic actions and and humiliated by sheriff’s deputies and vigilantes in the Mulkeytown March, thousands of Illinois miners abandoned the United Mine Workers to form a new union. The founding convention was held September 1 – […]