Drive through Williamson today --- population 150 at the last census --- and it's hard to imagine a time 90 years ago when thousands gathered here to celebrate Labor Day in grand style. But 1929 was a banner year for the town --- and for the nearby coal mines that fueled it and the miners who lived there.
The village dated, more or less, from 1913 when the Rock Island depot was built alongside tracks that had been constructed during the previous year through George Williamson's pasture, part of a "short line" that closed the gap from Carlisle to Allerton in that north-south line's route from Minneapolis to Kansas City. The new line also opened the coal fields of northeast Lucas County.
Williamson's population exploded after August of 1919 when the Central Iowa Fuel Co. purchased 13 acres (at $500 per acre) north of the depot from Mr. Williamson in order to build hundreds of houses for the miners who would be needed to exploit the resources of Mine No. 4, a mile and a half northeast of the village, and later mines. By 1929, population had edged upward to nearly a thousand, making Williamson Lucas County's second largest town (after Chariton).
So there was much to celebrate in 1929 and The Chariton Leader's Henry Gittinger motored forth on Sept. 2, 1929, to cover the big event. His report was published in both The Leader and The Herald-Patriot of that week.
Henry for some reason neglected to credit the event's organizers --- a partnership between Williamson's active business community and miners affiliated with District 13, United Mine Workers of America, headquartered in Albia. In fact, J.D. "Jack" Smith of Des Moines, District 13 president, actually was lead speaker for the day. A schedule of the day's events (left) was published in The Herald-Patriot of Aug. 22. Here's Henry's report from The Leader of Sept. 3:
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Labor Day, Monday, proved to be one of balm and sunshine, and this was most favorable to the celebration at Williamson. Great preparations had been under way for weeks before the event, and when the morning arrived with the splendid prospects, there was certainly rejoicing. The workmen generally in the county took a respite from their labors to give the occasion the prestige which it deserved, and business throughout the county was closed as a tribute to this annual occurrence.
One thing which created surprise among the visitors to Williamson was the growth that has marked it during the past year, and many expressions of this wonderment were heard on every hand. Everywhere there are new cottages being built as well as business houses. The town is spreading in every direction, and groups of houses have loomed up in the outskirts along the approaching highways. Scores of substantial and attractive homes have recently been erected, and others are in course of construction. Today, Williamson is the second largest town in Lucas county.
On this occasion there was hardly parking space for the automobiles, and the crowd attending was probably the largest of any in the county on a similar occasion. The exercises were held on the open square west of the Rock Island track, and it was roomy and well appointed. There was a variety of features to interest --- about everything one could think of.
A big tent, well seated, had been secured in which to carry out the program, and a large audience assembled here in the afternoon. This had been erected away from the general theatre of outside entertainments and amusement features, and was one occasion when the speakers were not disturbed by the general commotion, but everybody could hear distinctly.
The program was carried out as previously published in the papers. The Chariton band furnished music throughout the day, and there were vocal numbers which gave joy to the audience. Congressman Lloyd Thurston and Hon. Dan Turner, candidate for governor, delivered addresses --- and they interested all hearers. They were happy in their manner of speech and in what they had to say. They seemed to understand what proportion should be political, what percent fraternal, and the radio dedicated to other subjects. They each paid proper tribute to the cause of labor, and spoke for the equality to which it is entitled. A detail of these presentations would be interesting, but that is impossible at this time. Suffice it to say that each spoke under most favorable circumstances and it was certainly a high tribute to them to note that the audience was larger at the close of their addresses than when they began. The seats were all filled and groups stood about in the middle.
There was no let-up in the day's exercises --- something was happening all the time and our neighboring metropolis proved to be good entertainers. It is no small task to handle a crowd of that magnitude. There had been a platform erected for dancing, and the melodies after nightfall excelled any old plantation harmonies that ever floated on the breezes from banjo and song, and the rhythm of the feet kept poetic motion.
Another interesting feature was the home talent play in the tent in the evening. Thus, labor was given due tribute on Monday --- next day the threads were again picked up and everybody took up their accustomed work.
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