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Pittsburg State University

2009

Cherokee County (Kan.)

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

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 Dec 2009

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 Dec 2009

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 …


The Travels Of Coal Miners In Cherokee And Crawford Counties, Jason Smith Nov 2009

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 …