The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-11-19
LABOR DAY || MAKER \.
DIES IN 0BSCURTY
Robert Price, First Suggested
Holiday, Passes Away in
Montana Home.
Death Comes to Prices Hum
BILE Helena Home and
Carries Him Away.

The man who made and named
Labor Day is dead. He died In his
humble home on the outskirts Of
Helena recently. The funeral was
plain, unceremonious and poorly at
tended.
Robert Price, or ''Shouting Bob,"
as many OF his friends nicknamed
him, because he sometimes said
"Amen!' while the pastor was dis
coursing, was born near Aberystwfth,
Wales, July IL, 1888. Robert was
compelled to leave school at the age
OF and work with his father in
the coal mines. When he attained
his 3lst birthday Robert came to
the United States and worked in the
Pennsylvania coal fields eight years,
after which he became, an under
boss in the old Jackson mine, near
Loanconing, MI, where he served
sixteen years. Leaving the Georges
Creek coal fields he went to Idaho,
and later went to Kansas. In his
18th year he moved to Montana,
where he lived until his death.
For time in his life he was SYM
pathetic with the capitalist. From
the age of 16 to ~ he co-operated
with the superintendent and bosses,
and afterward averted trouble at
the mines by showing the men the
unreasonableness of their demands.
But as he was returning from the
mine one day he found his "buddle,"
a boy OF II, lying on the ground and
bleeding from the mouth and nose,
his clothing torn. He picked him
up, carried him two miles to his
home and sent for a doctor, but the
boy died. AS he was dying he told
for cutting the room too wide and
asked: Robert, are you one of US
now?' This was too much for him
and he broke down and wept. Ever
after he was a strong supporter OF
the laboring man.
Was Miner in Maryland.
Price twenty-five years ago was a
miner in Maryland. At that time
the knights Of Labor was strong
Grand Master Powderly had built up
an order which was feared by many
The strongest worker for the order
at that time was Price. Early and
late he labored for the cause and
local assembly No. 848 of Locanon-
ing had no worthier champion than
he. Nearly all the miners were
members OF the order when the an
nual convention was called and the
named Priced as delegate. A few
days later he started. for New York
!: and tn eEconvention. ~ The Ypogra-
phical members OF the order gave a
street parade and the convention adj
journed to witness it.
Later in the convention when
there was momentary hush in the
babel OF voices about him Price
arose. Tall, we'll formed and in the
full flush OF manhood, he stood erect
eaned far over the balcony and
caught the eye OF Powderly. He be-
gan to speak. ALI who remember
his address on that day can recall
the enthusiasm which it evoked. At
the close OF his address, which was
filled with bursts OF oratory and
carried the hearers thoughts of or
ganiZation to what was then sup
posed to be OF unattainable heights,
he stopped for moment, and then
said:
II move you, Mr.. Chairman, that
it be the unanimous decision Of this
convention that hereafter one day Of
the year shall be set aside, and on
that day labor shall not labor, but
go forth and show that it is free and
glorious in the right Of it's prowess.' -
He sat down and the cheering
! which followed his remarks and mo-
ton made the building fairly rock az
1000 men sprang to their feet
When he managed to restore order
Powderly, turning toward Price
asked And what do you intend
to call that day."
! Without a moments hesitation
Price sprang to his feet and ex
claimed Labor Day" Again was
all semblance Of order destroyed
and the meeting came to sudden
end. Prices motion had been car
ried with overwhelming numbers.
| STAND DAT FOR THE Union.