The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-06-23
PRACTICALLY ENTIRE
HERRIN POPULATION
MADE UP OF MINERS
An Associated Pressl

HERRIN, H., June 23.-This typical
coal mining town is approximately
100 miles southeast of st. Louis. Its
population lacks just few persons of
being 1000 the exact number, accord
ing to the latest census being 1895.
1t is estimated that easily nine-tenths
of these people are miners or are di-
rectly or indirectly connected with the
coal mining industry.
Foreigners, notably Italians. COM
prise it is said more than one-third of
the population of the county. Many of
the foreigners are naturalized.
Three railroads run into the city,
| the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy,
The Illinois Central, and Missouri Pa
cific.
| Marion II miles distant Is the coun-
/ ty seat and has a population of 1852.
1t is the largest city near the scene
of the killings.
Most of 449 square miles area of
Williamson county is dotted with bit
| luminous mines. There are about 35
of the largest mines in the country
within the county's borders. Strip or
surface, collieres in the county number
| four, but are considered small mines
in comparison with the deep shafts.
Noted For Disorders.
The county which is in the part ot
southern Illinois called Little Egypt
has been noted for miner disorders in
the past because of which it has been
called bloody" Williamson county
Southern Illinois with probably the
largest number of mines in any sec
ton in the country, lis noted for its
mining industry and differs from the
! central and northern portions of the
I state which abounds with farm lands
During normal times virtually all the
10000 members in the Illinois miners
union are at work in the mines in this
part of the state. Many of the min
ers own their own homes while the re
mainder live in houses constructed
and owned by the coal companies.
When the strike began April /, the
miners seemingly welcomed the occas
ion as vacation.
The two months of the strike were
spent by the men in repairing theil
homes, fishing, visiting and some o
the foreigners, mainly the Italians
declared their intention of visitins
relatives in Europe.
The first payments of strike benefit!
were paid to the striking men abou
two weeks ago. Each miner was giver
s5.
Agtated BY Reports.
Although the men have been OIL
strike for nearly three months few
disorders in connection with the walk
out were reported from the distric
until reports reached the members O
the plan of the Southern Illinois Goa
company to open a strip pit six mile
east Of here. This is the mine wher
, the killings took place.
There is no telephone or teIegrap pl
! communication to the mining zon
from Herrin or Marion. The mine i
located at place called Trendshay
Crossing, midway between this cit
and Marion.
When plans for the opening of tn
/, surface pit materialized and men< VIII
claimed they were members of tn
Steam Shovelmen's union, were in
ported from Chicago, miners gathere
: in groups excitedly discussing the si
uation. The opening of the min
which was accomplished with the al
: of armer guards and a machine gu
was the sole topic Of discussion
: Thousands of tons of coal were tai
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