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Full-Text Articles in United States History
The Foundation Of Our Lady Of Lourdes St. Mary's Colgan, And How It Helped To Define The Italian Miners Of The Coal Fields, Kraig Westhoff
The Foundation Of Our Lady Of Lourdes St. Mary's Colgan, And How It Helped To Define The Italian Miners Of The Coal Fields, Kraig Westhoff
Theory and Practice: HIST430
During the late 19th century the, United States was rapidly industrializing and had a growing need for coal; this area of Kansas was more than happy to dig deep into the ground to find this valuable resource. While many native-born Americans came from the east to work in the Cherokee-Crawford coalfields, the need for labor nearly outweighed the need for coal. To meet this need many of the mine owners decided to look beyond the boundaries of the United States and go to the European continent to find people willing to work in the mines. Numerous Italians, Scots, Germans, Yugoslavians, …
A Missed Opportunity: The Failure To Unionize Little Balkan Miners During The Strikes Of 1893, Matt Demoss
A Missed Opportunity: The Failure To Unionize Little Balkan Miners During The Strikes Of 1893, Matt Demoss
Theory and Practice: HIST430
"Among the Falstaff army of industries of this country, too poor to fight, too cowardly or virtuous to steal, the coal mining industry presents itself as one of the most bedraggled members of these ragged recruits," state mine operator attorney, D.W. Kuhn in 1911. Although Kuhn sided with coal operators for business interests, his description of the industry was not flattering. By calling the coal mining industry a Falstaff army, Kuhn was comparing the industry to a celebrated Shakespearean character, "a very fat, sensual, and witty old knight; a swindler, drunkard, and good-tempered liar; and something of a coward." In …
Perils And Precautions: Mining Safety And Public Policy, Kenneth Hawkins
Perils And Precautions: Mining Safety And Public Policy, Kenneth Hawkins
Theory and Practice: HIST430
In the United States the Industrial Revolution brought about many new occupational hazards for workers. This was true for most jobs, but few were more dangerous than that of coal mining in the Crawford-Cherokee region of Kansas and the other main mining areas such as West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Utah. Between 1887 and 1926 there was a great series of accidents, explosions in particular, which became a catalyst for policy change in regards to coal mining safety. Initial measures that were put into place to protect miners from accidents proved to be inadequate. And even with the advent of …
The Travels Of Coal Miners In Cherokee And Crawford Counties, Jason Smith
The Travels Of Coal Miners In Cherokee And Crawford Counties, Jason Smith
Theory and Practice: HIST430
The ability of coal miners in Cherokee and Crawford County to travel was aided greatly by the creation and implementation of rail travel in both counties at the end of the 19th century. The availability and creation of these methods of travel became necessary and affordable for mining in both regions. As the wages of the miners increased the greater luxuries in life became available to them. This would allow for the creation of rail lines, trolleys and cars that enabled a larger majority of people to travel short and long distances. The invention of these modes of travel gave …
The Major Strike In Pittsburg Kansas: Strike Of 1899 On The Major Coal Mining Strike Of 1899, Chase Rietcheck
The Major Strike In Pittsburg Kansas: Strike Of 1899 On The Major Coal Mining Strike Of 1899, Chase Rietcheck
Theory and Practice: HIST430
The year 1899 was an explosive time for mining in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Illinois, but especially for Southeast Kansas. Many men came to Kansas seeking jobs in the mining industry. Although they knew that there were not great wages, it was still a way of supporting themselves as well as their families. As coal mining grew and prices went up, miners were starting to get a little frustrated with their wages. Some miners who still remembered the strike of 1893 decided to do something about their wages by taking a stand against the coal companies. They were looking for …