On this day in 1898, the Battle of Virden began when armed members of the United Mine Workers of America (UMW) surrounded a train full of strikebreakers and exchanged fire with company guards. 13 people were killed, dozens more wounded.
After a local chapter of the UMW began striking at a mine in Virden, Illinois, the Chicago-Virden Coal Company hired black strikebreakers from Birmingham, Alabama and shipped them to Virden by train.
The company hired armed detectives or security guards to accompany the strikebreakers, and an armed conflict broke out when armed miners surrounded the train as it arrived in town. A total of four detectives and seven striking mine workers were killed, with five guards, thirty miners, and an unrecorded number of strikebreakers wounded.
After this incident, Illinois Governor John Tanner ordered the National Guard to prevent any more strikebreakers from coming into the state by force. The next month, the Chicago-Virden Coal Company relented and allowed the unionization of its workers.
"When the last call comes for me to take my final rest, will the miners see that I get a resting place in the same clay that shelters the miners who gave up their lives on the hills of Virden, Illinois...They are responsible for Illinois being the best organized labor state in America."
Mother Jones
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Firstly I'm not going to offer advice. This touched me, I know what it feels like to feel ignored. I don't have family to share things with and spent a lot of my childhood unable to. Now I'm much older I struggle to share the most basic of feelings because of my alienation. The bear site is the only place I talk generally. I'm not looking sympathy either, I just hope at some point your family can appreciate your tea making. I know how hard it can be to stay positive, to continue to be kind and nice. Anyhow I've rambled enough, thank you for your post.
Thank you for your answer, it is very kind. I know you didn't ask for sympathy, but you have mine.
Thank you <3