The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-06-23

Herrin. June 23.-This typical coal
mining town is approximately 100
miles southeast of St. Louis It's pop
ulation lacks just a few persons of
being 1900, the exact number ac-
cording to the latest population sta
tistics, being 1895.
1t is estimated that easily nine
tenths of these people are miners or
are directly 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 country.
Many of the foreigners are natural
lied.
Three railroads run into the city.
the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy, the
Illinois Central and the Missouri Pa
cific.
Marion. twelve miles distant. is the
county seat and has a population of
| 1852. 1t is the largest city near the
scene of the killings.
Most of 449 squire mile area Of
Williamson county is dotted with BIZ
luminous coal mines There are about
thirty-five of the largest mines in the
country within the county's borders.
Strip or surface CollierieS in he
cred small mines in comparison with
the deep shafts
Noted for Its Disorders.
The county, which is in the part of
southern Illinois called Little Egypt"
has been noted for minor disorders at
the mines in the past because of
which it has been termed bloody
Williamson county.
Southern Illinois. with probably the
largest numbers OF mines in any sec
-inn IN the country, is noted for its
mining industry, and differs from
the central and northern portions of
the state which abOunds with farm
lands. During normal times virtually
ali OF the 10000 members in the iii
nOis mirers' union are at work in the
mines il. this part of the state. Many
of the miners own their own homes,
while the remainder live in houses
constructed and owned by the coa'
companies.
When the strike began April 1, the
miners seemingly welcomed the oc-
casiou as a vacation. The two months
of the strike were spent by the men in
repairing their homes. fishing visit
ing and some of the foreigners, main
I y the Italians. declared their inten-
tion of visiting relatives in Europe.
Opening OF Strip Was Beginning.
The first payments of strike bene-
fits were paid to the striking men
about two weeks ago.
Each miner was given SIS.
Altho the men have been on strike
nearly three months, few. disorders in
orted from the district until reports
reached the men of the plan of south
ern Illinois coal companies to open "A
strip six miles east of here.
Tbs is the mine where the killings
took place. There is no telephone or
telegraph communication to the mr.
iaS zone from either Herrin or Marion.
Tho mine is located close to a place
called Trendshaw Crossing. midway
between this city and Marion.
When plans for the opening of the
surface pit materialized and men who
claimed they were members of the
Steamshovel mems union. were i'm
ported from Chicago. miners gathered
in groups eXcitedly discussing the sit
uatiOn.
Then Came Message!
The opening of the mine. which was
accomplished with the aid of armed
guards. and a machine gun, was the
sole topic of discussion
The thousands of tons of coal were
taken from the surface pits and some
of it shipped away, local officials of
the Illinois Miners union protesting
against the action
But the mining went on uninter-
ruptedly until word came from John
L. Lewis. president of the United Mine
Workers association. that the men
working should be considered as com
mon strike breakers" and that the
Steamshovel mems union to which the
men said they belonged. had been
outlawed by the American Federation
of Labor.
Several hours after this message was
received the entire county developed
sacre followed.