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Williams Album 0 : p. 01

Calumet Public School Library

Copper Miners' Strike, Mich., 1913-1914

Copper mines and mining -- Michigan -- Calumet

Scrapbooks

AH01a010

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Newspaper clippings (July 24 to Aug. 3, 1913) regarding the 1913 Copper Miners' Strike by the employees of the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company in the Calumet, Michigan area. Page is hand numbered ""1"". -- July 24 -Meeting called by Western Federation of Miners, strike demands were Recognition of union, Shorter hours, Increased wages, Two men to operate the one man drilling system. -- July 25 - Michigan National Guard on the way to Calumet strike zone. Governor Ferris will come to Calumet to take charge of strike situation, says Sheriff James Cruse. C.E. Maloney, vice president of Western Fed. of Miners arrives in Calumet representing president Moyer. Many events of the annual Upper Peninsula Firemen's tournament called off because of disorders. Menominee National Guard troops arrive. Mine Street and area around Armory roped off. Company A Engineers and Company G of Houghton quartered at Armory. -- July 26 - Alpena, Cheboygan, and Soo Companies of the Third regiment arrived. Companies from Big Rapids, Grand Haven, and Muskegon arrived. General Abbey, Brigadier General George L. Harvey and Major D.C. Ingraham investigate local conditions. Qualified martial law now exists, complete martial law will be declared if rioting is renewed. Saloons will be closed. -- July 27 - Resumption of pumping under military guard at mine shafts following temporary shutdown after strikers threatened pumpmen. Gov. Harris given written protest against presence of state troops in the copper district which had been drawn up at meeting of strikers at the Palestra in Laurium. Morgan and Grierson meat market and store at Centennial Mine location in flames. V. Miller of Cleveland, camera correspondent for the Pathe Weekly arrived to record strike in photos. -- July 28 - Petitions asking Gov. Ferris to withdraw troops (from strikers) and another asking him to keep militia here (from business men). Gov. not in favor of martial law with quote ""I hate gunpowder. I love peace."" Fireman employed by Wolverine mining company reported beaten by strikers. Militia companies are at Wolverine to quell further...3 miners beaten at Superior mine. 800 residents of Calumet leave. -- July 29 - Conference of mine managers called by General Abbey to consider Gov. Ferris' proposal for a conference between reps of mining companies and strikers. Managers refuse to meet with reps of Western Federation of Miners. Under military guard, shops of Calumet & Hecla, the machine, blacksmith and carpenter shops resume partial operations. Jackson company of Michigan National Guard under command of Frank Blackman, on guard at Red Jacket shaft. Assault at Superior led to arrest of twelve men. -- July 30 - next step of Gov. Ferris awaited with interest. Vice president C.E. Mahoney of the Western Federation of Miners and attorney Angus W. Kerr returned from Lansing where they conferred with Gov. Ferris. Troops patrolling streets of Red Jacket due to threats against women and children. Wind blows army tents over in Armory field. Mother Jones to arrive, she is affiliated with the United Mine Workers, the coal miner's organization. Complaint lodged by officers of Red Jacket against actions of cavalry troops. -- Aug. 1 - Western Federation of Miners protested against use of Waddell men in Copper country. Guy E. Miller accused mining companies of hiring outside strike breakers. Alleged plots to dynamite property, explosives disappear from Hancock mine, Colonel Abbey responds. Fight between deputy sheriffs and the men and women inmates of an Hungarian boarding house. -- Aug. 2 - Estimate of $12,000 a day to maintain National Guard in Copper Country. Telegram sent to Gov. Ferris from President Kenel of Ahmeek protesting troops in Ahmeek village, quotes …women and children are "" afraid to walk on the streets during the presence of the troops."" Sheriff Hepting wired governor that troops were not needed in Keweenaw county. All general stores in Calumet and Laurium will operate on half days. Demonstration and meeting planned. Parade will proceed to Palestra. -- Aug. 3 - Strike zone echoed with rifle and revolver shots. Threat to blow up Calumet dam, guard placed by Captain Blackman of the Jackson Company.