Christmas Eve, 1932 ~ Tragedy in Moweaqua

Coal mining was an extremely hazardous job in the U.S. during the first half of the 20th century. The Christmas holiday marked a dark day for Illinois mining in 1932. On the morning of Christmas Eve, an underground methane gas explosion took the lives of 54 miners.

"Families of miners, sober faced and dry eyed, waited Saturday,
not for Christmas and the coming of Santa Claus, but for mine rescue
workers to reach their fathers and older brothers." ~ Moweaqua News
photo courtesy of Moweaqua Public Library

The Moweaqua Mine was among those newly organized by the Progressive Miners. While donations poured in from across the state, Mark Sorenson notes: "John L. Lewis, head of the United Mine Workers, sent a check for $4000 (some reported $1000) that was refused by the Moweaqua Progressive Miner Union. They thought it was hypocritical to send money while the UMW was instigating beatings and killings of PMWA members just a few miles away where the PMWA were striking." Although the union rejected the donation, it was accepted by local relief committee.

The Moweaqua Public Library District has created a great site on the history of coal mining in the town - Mining More In Moweaqua.

Here's a two-minute trailer from a documentary produced on the disaster.

A limited number of DVD's of the film are available from the library.

Freeman United Coal Company Accused of Repeated Clean Water Act Violations

Here's a link to an article by Jeff Biggers at Huffington Post on the effort of central Illinois environmentalists to hold Freemen United Coal Company accountable for violations of the Clean Water Act.

Grindstone Creek, a waterway near the
strip mine is polluted with mine waste.

According to the article, whether or not the company is responsible for the mess isn't in question. The Heart of Illinois Group Sierra Club asserts Freeman Coal's records show that its strip mine has broken the law hundreds of times in the last five years"

In an all-too-familiar pattern, those in government charged with ensuring that laws are enforced in order to protect the public and the environment turn a blind eye to gross violations. Instead members of the public are left on their own to hold offenders accountable, in this case through expensive law suits.

You can lend your support to this effort. Contact the following groups to learn more:

Sierra Club - Heart of Illinois Group

Prairie Rivers Network

Environmental Law and Policy Center

The BBC Reports on Clean Coal

Here's the link to a new report from the BBC - Clean Coal: Fool's Gold or the Bright Future?



The story raises a number of important issues. First, the costs to implement carbon capture may make coal prohibitively expensive - that is if it works. Further, industry representatives and Energy Department acknowledge that widespread use of the technology isn't likely to be seen until 2030.

So even if it works and is economically feasible, it's deployment may occur too late to slow global warming. Why are we doing this?

Mine War Site ~ Superior No. 4

©2009 Greg Boozell

Former site of Superior Mine No. 4 in Wilsonville, IL. On May 21, 1937, 540 PMA miners called an underground sit-down strike.

The week-long strike was called to protect "share of time" provisions. The striking miners demanded the right to protect one another from the loss of jobs caused by mechanization. If full-time workers could share their hours, layoffs could be prevented and miners could at least earn sustenance wages.

Bill Campion, a member of the strike committee proclaimed, "We demand the right to share our poverty with our fellow workers."

From The National Archives

Image taken from 1937 federal court records at the National Archives in Chicago.

©2009 Greg Boozell

34 members of the Progressive Miners and 2 others were convicted of interfering with the U.S. mail and conspiracy to violate the Sherman Anti-Trust Act.

In These Times Highlights Mine War Project

Writing for the In These Times blog, Working, contributing editor Kari Lyderson was kind enough to highlight this project.



After you read the post, don't forget to check out Kari's latest book, Revolt On Goose Island. The book documents the successful struggle of UE members employed by Republic Windows and Doors to win a settlement from the company's creditor, Bank of America. The worker's strategic campaign included a factory occupation which garnered international public support.

Cherry Mine Centennial Commemoration

On November 13, 1909, a fire broke out at the Cherry Mine in northern Illinois. Of the 450 miners working underground, 259 men and boys succumbed to flames and smoke. The labor force was predominantly composed of immigrant workers. As with most industrial accidents, the Cherry Mine disaster was avoidable. The calamity inspired public outrage, resulting in a new workman's compensation law and stronger mine safety regulations.

259 people were killed in the Cherry mine disaster.

On November 14-15, the Village of Cherry will commemorate the disaster and the miners. A full weekend of ceremonies is planned, free and open to the public. Featured speakers and performers include UMWA Vice President Steve Earl, and singer and labor historian, Bucky Halker. Walking tours of the cemetery and mine site will also be conducted.

Here's a download link to a PDF flyer for the event.

Here's a short video on the disaster:

[ Download ]