The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1908-10-17
&. Z. STEVENSON ITS PRESIDENT
For Years Miners Tried to Organ
ize to improve Conditions.
What Democrats Have Overlook ed
While Attempting to Hold
Deneen Responsible for
institution MishapS.

Springfield. Oct. 13 = While the
present state administration response
BILE for all accidents that have oc-
cured in the charitable Institutions,
they have overlooked the accidents
that have occurred in the mine of The
Mclean Cernty Coal company al
Bloomington. of VIII eli Adiai IL. Ssev-
enson is president.
From the organiza 4on of the com.
pany in 1883 to 1905, eight miners
were killed and sixty three injured
the majority Of them seriously. For
years the miners employed by the
company attempted to organize with
a view to improving conditions in the
mine. They were opposed continu-
ously by the company. of witch Mr.,
Stevenson Is the president 1t was i'm
possible fer the miners to o glnize
and obtain recognition until in 1897,
when Il strong local was perfected and
the company compelled to recogn re
the union Many operators had COM
County Ceal company to lie repre-
scented in The meetings of the miners
and operators for the purpose or
agreeing upon a wage scale ana sign.
ing contracts. Tie Mclean County
Coal company became Il member Of
the Illinois ceal Operators association
in March, 1899 but was not reccg
nized as full fiedged member until
January. 1890
The Democrats have charged GOV.
ernor Deneen specifically with respon.
sibility for accidents occurring in the
state institutions. Mr.. Stevenson, as
president of the Mclean County Coal
company, may be held respons be for
the accidents that have occurred in
that company's mine That it may be
known that this statement of fatal
ties and accidents is not overesti-
mated. the entire number is given
below:
List of Fatal Accidents.
DATE OF
DEATH NAME CAUSE.
June 26. C. Baushtea. Falling coal, while
1898. INC ermining
Dec. %. John Nelson. Fell from trestlt
leading from
shaft to engine
1899. chrtes.
Dec. H. Jacob Osman. Caught in machn
cry of revolving
screen
1901.
Dec. 20. r. FRANKIE. Failing slate a.
face of room
Dec 81 s. stakoski. Falling coal ant
slate.
Mar. 2s NJ Nelson. Falling coal.
Mar. II. Gus Erricson. Run over by pi
cars.
1905.
Oct 25 Robert Walsh. Falling rock
List OF Non Fatal Accidents.
DATE OF CAUSE AND CHAR
INJURY. NAME TER OF INJURY
--ar. II. Gus Bowman Body injured.
~ 25. f Searles. Foot injured
- II. T Radford. Back and hips in
M, II. Guy veateh Hand q.i' injured.
July "a. A. Mann. Finger cut off
pit car.
Dec, "a. c. Berryland Body injured pi
car.
Jan % NJ Lowrey Leg injured-fall
ing coal.
Mar g. A. Polander. Shoulder injured
falling coal.
Feb. 10 w NJ Mann. Hip dislocated :
falling rock.
Dec, 20. o. Ericsson Leg Injured by tai
chain.
1903.
July 80 A. Butkovisee. Ankle dislocated
falling coal
Oct "a. Thos. Jonchas. Leg broken fall
ing rock
Nov 10 c. L. Ksone. Hand injured fir
get cut off; pi
car.
Nov. 80 ]. Anderson. Leg broken fall
ing rock.
Dec. 0. Stutveman. Foot crushed pi
cars.
Feb IL F Ambrose Eee1 alder blad
Atactured fallin
rock.
Mario B. Galloway. Leg broken faI
Ing coal
Mar. T. The. Hepner Ribs broken pl
cars.
Mar. L. c. L. Peterson Hips and b o d
bruised pit car
Aug, g. Gust BitEburR. Fingers crushed