Post by Doris McCraw writing as Angela Raines
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| Goldmine headframe in Victor Photo property of the author |
Since my monthly post falls close to the Labor Day holiday, I thought I'd take this opportunity to speak about the women who were involved in some of the "Labor Wars" that took place in Colorado. I will be addressing the 1904 Cripple Creek strike and the 1914 Ludlow Massacre.
In 1903-04 the Cripple Creek/Victor miners and their union decided to strike in support of the workers at the ore processing plant in Colorado Springs. This was one in a series of strikes the Western Federation on Miners conducted since winning their fight for shorter days and a pay increase. In the Cripple Creek area, the union men were incarcerated in what was called the bullpen, an outdoor holding facility. Many faced deportations. The newspaper in Victor, 'The Victor Daily Record' was a pro-union publication. The publisher/editor was arrested by the national guard and placed in the bullpen. When Emma F. Langdon heard of the raid, she went to the paper around midnight, barred the doors, and set about putting out the next issue of the paper.
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| from Wikipedia |
In here 1908 book, "Labor's Greatest Conflicts", she talks of taking the paper up to the men in the bullpen and overhearing the guards talking about shutting down the paper only to be surprised at seeing the latest issue. Emma went on to spend her years after this strike writing and speaking on behalf of the miners and the Western Federation of Miners. A search in Google Books on Emma F. Langdon is well worth the effort to wade through. For an overview of Emma: Emma F. Langdon- Wikipedia
The second woman is Mary G. Harris Jones, known to most as Mother Jones. She was associated with organizing the coal miners in Colorado against the Rockefeller owned Colorado Fuel and Iron. Although she was arrested and was spending time incarcerated during what is known as the Ludlow Massacre, she later met with Rockefeller and some indicate that after that meeting Rockefeller he visited the mines and instituted reforms.
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| Mother Jones - 1902 from Wikipedia |
Prior to arriving in Colorado, Mother Jones had suffered the loss of her husband and four children to yellow fever. She had a dressmaking shop in Chicago and lost that during the Chicago Fire. From that point, she began working for the betterment of the working class, including children. Known as a person to be reckoned with, she spoke her mind and did what she had to do. Again a Google Book search on Jones also is worth the effort to study. For an overview of Mother Jones: Mother Jones, Wikipedia
For those who would like to know more about the strikes themselves, the following books may be of interest: "The Colorado Labor Wars: Cripple Creek 1903-1904" edited by Tim Blevins, and "Killing for Coal: America's Deadliest Labor War" by Thomas G. Andrews.
It is sometimes easy to forget how difficult life was back then, especially for the working class and their families. These two women stepped up and did what they thought was best, despite those who worked against them. To me, these women are a lesson in what one can accomplish when you set your mind to it.
Colorado and Women's History
Fascinating. There's so much history that was never touched on in school -- I've heard of Mother Jones, of course, but not of Emma Langdon, and now I want to know more about these events!
ReplyDeleteCate, I've done my job. I love it when others want to know more. The lovely aspect of Langdon's story is she wrote a number of books. Most label her as a socialist, but her take on the events she was observing is fascinating to me.
DeleteMother Jones was a force unto herself and she seemed to have no fear once she set her mind to a task.
Have a great weekend. Doris
Fascinating history. I see so many parallels with the women involved in disputes and strikes the other side of the pond. Of course, it needed the women to be behind it, as supporting their families mattered so much to the working men.
ReplyDeleteYou do have the right of that, women really did need to be involved. I've always found the parallels in history so fascinting. Thanks for adding information for me to ponder. I love it. Doris
DeleteI am constantly amazed with women's fortitude and fearless drive for fairness in the workplace. To look at Mother Jones' sweet face, you'd never suspect what sorrow she's had in her life and how much courage she had to stand up against powerful men. I love these mini profiles of amazing women.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, it really is amazing what you can find that wasn't in the history books when you start looking. These were women who did what they had to do when they needed to. For the reason I do admire them. I am glad you enjoy the stories of these amazing women. Doris
DeleteDoris,
ReplyDeleteI love this so much: "When Emma F. Langdon heard of the raid, she went to the paper around midnight, barred the doors, and set about putting out the next issue of the paper."
She's my kind of woman.
I agree. She saw what needed to be done and then did it. She's my kind of woman also. Doris
DeleteIt's hard to imagine in these modern times that protesting could lead to incarceration in those t=days. That these women stood up for the men fighting for justice is a testament of the courage women have. I felt bad for "Mother Jones" who had lost her family and her living, but still stood up for what she felt was right.
ReplyDeleteA fine article, Doris, and well researched. All the best to you...
Sarah, thank you. It was a challenging world then. The interesting thing about Mother Jones, from all I've read, she didn't mince words. She is a woman well worth the time to get to know. Doris
DeleteSuch an interesting post. I love that these women stood up for what was right. Sometimes it feels as if we're living in a parallel history.
ReplyDeleteIt does have those echoes. It seems history calls on women to take up the cause, and we are creating history ourselves. Thank you for commenting and giving me more to think about. Doris
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