The annual Labor Day observance at Lucas, home of the John L. Lewis Museum of Mining & Labor, still is a big deal. But during 1901, the celebrating was done in early April in order to mark the third anniversary of both United Mine Workers of America Local No. 799 and the eight-hour work day for miners.
Chariton newspapers were not especially adept at covering developments in nearby Lucas, but the advent of Local 799 had been noted briefly among Lucas news items in The Herald of March 23, 1899:
"It is not generally known that we have a labor organization in our midst. Such, however, is the case. Jno. Reese of Albia, state organizer of the order of United Mine-workers of America, met some twenty-four miners of Lucas and Cleveland on the evening of Feb. 28, and formed them into an organization. Since then about all the miners of this vicinity have become identified with the order. The charter has been received and the Red Men's hall rented, where they will meet every Wednesday night."
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The mining industry in western Lucas County had been revitalized during March of 1899 by the opening of the Cleveland No. 4 mine (aka Whitebreast No. 4) southwest of Lucas. Veteran Lucas County miners and their families continued to live in Lucas and the remnants of the mining town of Cleveland just to the east, but hundreds more poured into the new mining camp, called New Cleveland, that sprang up around the new mine.
Another UMWA local was organized there, but less is known about it because that mine closed during 1908 and the town around it vanished.
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These union locals became the bargaining units for Lucas County miners in Sub-district No. 1, UMWA District 13, in negotiations with mine owners and operators.
A principal goal of Iowa coal miners during 1899 was a contractually guaranteed eight-hour work day. The year 1898 generally is cited as the date for institution of the eight-hour day in America's coal mines, as the framed award at left (found online and related to the West Virginia mine fields) suggests, but victory did not come until the next year in Iowa.
Mine owners signed on to a contract making that guarantee and affecting some 2,000 miners in Sub-district No. 1 --- including Lucas County --- on March 9, 1899, in Centerville. A similar agreement was signed in Ottumwa on April 26 affecting miners in the Central Sub-district --- Wapello, Mahaska and Monroe counties.
Mine owners in the Des Moines Sub-district were among the most resistant to the plan, arguing that financial disaster awaited if they were forced to abandon the practice of demanding nine hours of work daily --- up to 18 hours daily during times of peak demand --- from their employees. Eventually, they, too, capitulated.
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Here's a report of the big celebration in Lucas on Monday, April 1, 1901, as reported in The Chariton Herald of Thursday, April 4. Please note that it contains a couple of references that are racially insensitive by today's standards --- Lucas County newspaper editors and white Lucas countyans in general were racially insensitive at the time.
A LABOR HOLIDAY
Mine Workers Celebrate Anniversary of Adoption of Eight Hour Day
They Gathered at Lucas and Enjoyed the Day in speeches, Music, Dancing and a General Good Time.
The third anniversary celebration of the eight hour system Local Union No. 799 United Mine Workers of America was held in Lucas last Monday afternoon and evening. The town was gaily decorated with flags and bunting and presented a pretty scene. There was a large crowd in town, there being quite a number present from East Cleveland, Cleveland No. 4 and Chariton.
At one o'clock p.m. there was a parade of local and visiting unions through the principal streets. They carried large banners bearing the inscriptions, "In Union there is Strength," "United we Stand, Divided we Fall," etc. They were headed by the Chariton City Guard Band. At 2 o'clock they assembled in Knott's opera house, where an interesting program was carried out.
J.R. Evans was chairman of the day, and the program was as follows:
Address of welcome by Mayor A.W. Knotts. He gave a short talk on the eight hour system and extended a royal welcome to all.
Hon. H.L. Byers responded in a pleasing manner to a call for an impromptu speech. Among other things he said: "I honor the members of the U.M.W.A. They are an appreciable set of men. I am glad of the noble progress labor is making, and no one takes a greater pride than I in the growth and progress of Lucas. It is the merited reward of honest labor on the part of its citizens. The eight hour system gives more men employment and better wages for the supply produced," etc.
John F. Ream, of Beacon, ex-president of the order, gave an address. We can only give a few extracts from it, however. He said: "We meet today to celebrate a movement that will be an event in the history of our country. The eight hour system gives work to more men, and gives them a chance for recreation and to improve their minds. The U.M.W.A. has gained more in the last ten years than in the preceding generation," and predicted that it will not be ten years until all labor organizations will adopt the eight hour system. "It will not be long until in every camp there will be a ladies auxiliary, and then the men may look for a strike on their hands, and I hope the ladies will come off victorious. There has never been a time before in the history of our country when so many men of wealth and high position gave of their time and means to the uplifting of mankind in general, and taken so much interest in industrial questions. It will only be a short time until the man who toils will receive the same wages as men who are otherwise employed. The great stream of progress is moving steadily onward, but no great progress ever came to the world without sacrifices. The world is making great progress in a brotherly feeling."
The band discoursed several selections and the large audience was dismissed.
The evening program began promptly at 7:30, and although and admission fee of 25 cents and 10 cents was charged, the hall was filled to its fullest capacity with interested spectators. Geo. W. Watts of Cleveland was master of ceremonies.
First on the program was a song, "On to the Charge," by the Glee Club of Cleveland No. 4, composed of Messrs. Thomas Evans, Wm. Evans Jr., Wm. Evans Sr., Richard Bennett, James Archibald, Ted Giles and John Morgan. Cleveland may well feel proud of her glee club, for they sing well and would be a credit to a town of large proportions.
Piano solo by Mrs. Nellie W. Clow of Chariton, and as usual was well executed, and she responded to an encore.
Mrs. J.E. Beaman of Lucas recited a pleasing piece, "The Pension Agent." As all who have heard her know, she is an artist in the field of elocution.
A cornet solo by Frank Remster of Cleveland, accompanied by John Morgan, was well played and highly appreciated by the audience.
Quartette, "Forest Glee," Mesdames Von Behren and Mahew and Messrs. L.H. Busselle and J.M. Kneeland of Chariton. Responded to encore.
The cake walk by Lulu Ousley (colored) and Fred Buck, both of Lucas, called forth rounds of applause and they were compelled to come back.
L.H. Busselle, Chariton's popular tenor, sang "Always" in his pleasing style.
"Quartette, "I am Dreaming," Wm. Evans and party of Cleveland No. 4.
Mrs. Beaman again recited a negro piece, giving the dialect almost perfect, and was called back.
Richard Bennett sang "Night Bird Cooing" accompanied by John Morgan. He has a sweet, smooth voice, and the audience was well pleased.
Another piano solo by Mrs. Clow.
Trio, Mesdames Von Behren, Clow and Mr. L.H. Busselle, accompanied by Mrs. Mayhew, all of Chariton.
Selection by the band.
Chairs were then moved to the walls, the floor swept and waxed, and all who so desired were given an opportunity to dance. The Chariton orchestra furnished the music.
The day and evening was one of enjoyment to all who attended.
The local order of the United Mine Workers of America in Lucas was organized three years ago this month, with a membership of about 30. There are 140 members at present. The officers are, President, Samuel Pollard; Vice-President, Geo. Watkins; Rec. Secretary, David D. Davis; Financial Secretary, John Whitfield; Treasurer, Wm. Evans. They meet every Friday evening in the old school house in the west part of Lucas.
We understand the local in Cleveland No. 4 comprises about 300 members.
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