Lucas County celebrates Labor's Lion: June 21, 1924

"Labor's Lion" in 1938.

It's a challenge to imagine a time when United Mine Workers of America locals flourished in five Lucas County towns --- Chariton, Lucas, Olmitz, Tipperary and Williamson. Let alone, that day in June of 1924 when thousands of coal miners and their families from across the region gathered in Chariton to celebrate John L. Lewis Day, honoring a native son first elected UMWA president in 1920.

Coincidentally, 2019 is the 50-year anniversary of the great man's death --- on June 11, 1969, at the age of 89 in Alexandria, Virginia. 

Lucas Countyans should be familiar with the basics of John L.'s life --- born Feb. 12, 1880, in the mining town of Cleveland to Thomas H. and Ann (Watkins) Lewis, he moved to Colfax with his family in 1889 after his father was blacklisted by the Whitebreast Coal Co. for participating in a strike. The family returned to Lucas in 1896 and John joined his father in the Big Hill Mine at Lucas as a mule driver at the age of 16. After four years on the road, 1901-1905, he returned to Lucas and in 1907 married Myrta E. Bell, daughter of the local physician and his wife, Dr. John C.F. and Ada Bell.

The family then moved to southern Illinois, where his career as a labor organizer and leader took off.

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John L. Lewis Day in Chariton was organized by Lucas County's UMWA locals and held on the Columbus School grounds, just west of the square, which also served at the time as a public park (the 1878 school building then in use was far more compact than the sprawling building of today). Two big platforms were erected for programming and as the site for both square and round dancing --- each with its own orchestra --- in the evening.

Martial music was provided by a 40-member band --- all coal miners --- directed by "Dude" Jones. Other union luminaries also were present, including John P. White, also a product of Cleveland and an earlier UMWA president who sometimes is credited with giving John L. his start. Everyone who attended was encouraged to bring along a basket lunch and plan to spend the day, then dance into the night.

John L. Lewis and his family had arrived in Lucas County the preceding Thursday to spend a few days with Myrta's parents, who still lived in Lucas. The Lewis family visited Lucas frequently during those years; in fact, one of John L.'s challenges to himself was to see just how quickly, armed with a powerful automobile, he could cover the distance between Lucas and the family home in Springfield, Illinois.

Here's an account of John L. Lewis Day as published in The Chariton Herald Patriot of Thursday, June 26, 1924:

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The Lewis Day celebration held in Chariton on Saturday is now a matter of history and it proved to be an event of achievements in spite of the weather conditions of the preceding days. But luckily the sun came out on Saturday and the elements behaved splendidly --- in fact the day was ideal and seemed to intensify the enthusiasm of the notable gathering. In spite of the previous heavy rainfalls the highways were quite passable and by 10:30, the preliminary hour for the parade and assemblage the streets showed the occasion was to be written down as a success.

The band had appeared and had commenced the day of medley, and it was conspicuous, not only in the quality of the music rendered but also on account of the consistency of uniform, clean new workmen overalls and blouses with caps to match, as the wedding announcements say, with pit lamps. It was a selection of the best musicians among the mine workers of this section. It met the incoming trains bearing visiting delegations and led the procession to the south school grounds where the exercises were to be held.

In spite of the almost constant falling rain of the previous day, full arrangements had been made. The seating had been placed and there were erected two large platforms to be used during the day's program and for dancing after the twilight hours. The scene was well lighted and presented a most romantic appearance.

T.E. James was the presiding officer of the day and acquitted himself commendably and well. The address of welcome on behalf of the city was delivered by (Chariton Mayor) H.G. Larimer and was responded to by J.G. Morris, president of the United Mine Workers of District 13. They were both eloquent and timely. It was a municipal honor to be singled out for the reception of this noted gathering, and the assurance of appreciation and cooperation was given. The response was most hearty and full of the sentiments of good well.

John P. White was present and was invited to the platform and made an impromptu address, filled with lofty thought and suggestion. He is a master of rhetoric, a student and a traveler, and was formerly president of the United Mine Works of America, and has studied conditions from the standpoint of one interested. He is a practical miner, a gifted spokesman for the craft, and spent his boyhood days and early manhood in the mines at Lucas. This closed the forenoon program.

After assembly at 1:30 o'clock the band gave a concert of an hour's duration. At its close John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers, delivered his great address. He was born and raised at Lucas, and therefore is a Lucas county product, graduating from practical work below until he now occupies one of the most exalted positions in the nation --- the head of the greatest industrial association on the continent with international relations.

He spoke strong and deliberate and was most impressive in his manner as well as thought, giving a history of the mine workers' struggle for competency, organization and present day conditions. Had it not been for this combination of purpose and cooperation the industrial worker of the United States would be as abject as that of some of the old countries, he said; and while the ideal had not yet been reached there had been progress made, and it was hoped the equation would be reached through which labor and capital would share beneficially. Mr. Lewis is level headed and a wise man at the helm.

At 7:30 in the evening William Greene of Indianapolis, Indiana, appeared upon the platform. He is secretary and treasurer of the United Mine Workers of America and a fine orator; a true advocate of craft purpose. He dwelt largely on the subject of collective bargaining by which agreements are made between workers and the operators for periods of time in which a wage scale obtains. This gives assurance to both sides of the contract, and business stability. It is the result of cooperation and is the nearest solution to doing away with strikes or lockouts that has been reached.

After the address, the call was made for the cotillion, and as of old "when youth and beauty meet to chase the hours with flying feet" there was pleasure throughout. And thus ended Lewis Day in Chariton.