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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  • PaX [comrade/them, they/them]
    ·
    edit-2
    2 months ago

    Slept really really badly but also picked today to start my new ADHD meds for some reason

    Not sure I've ever been more wired and tired yet also rly calm

    I feel like my executive functioning wolf pointing out all the stuff I need to do more than usual today but ehhh maybe tomorrow niko-yawn

    It's weird, all the usual racing thoughts are gone, even my tinnitus is quieter, it's nice

      • GalaxyBrain [they/them]
        ·
        2 months ago

        I've been in a further version of this and well, you're sleep deprived but on speed. This can be a beautiful mind space. Day 2 of a speed bender is absolutely amazing. Then you hit diminishing returns.

        • PaX [comrade/them, they/them]
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          edit-2
          2 months ago
          cw: drugs, psychosis mentioned

          I have heard stories of these binges but never tried myself, sounds like such a rollercoaster lol

          Sounds kinda scary sometimes, especially when people are using meth which takes soo long to leave your body, end up being awake for days and seeing shadow people

          My hedonism wolf has been whining in my ear telling me to take more occasionally today, I am continuing to ignore them. Been high enough on things in the past, I just wanna function now

          • GalaxyBrain [they/them]
            ·
            2 months ago

            Okay, so when I did speed I bought illegal ass meth pills or if I was lucky old times straight amphetamine. I'd throw coke or crack into the mix as well. Generally be drinking the whole time and seeing punk bands at an out of town fest. Punk festivals generally are held in a city at a combination of bars and houses not a field somewhere. From time to time while partying I'd notice it was getting close to noon the next day and sleep was kinda off the table for the day by then and you just kinda keep going until a semi reasonable time to crash. It's not something I'd like...recommend especially cause I know a lot of people who just stay in that cycle and holy hell does that do a number real fast.

            • PaX [comrade/them, they/them]
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              edit-2
              2 months ago

              Yeahhhh, few ways faster to destroy your body than speeding with no sleep

              Idk I did read some accounts once where people like the shadow people or paranoia stuff, made them feel like they were in a horror movie lmao, I guess it could be thrilling for a bit if you're into that

    • NephewAlphaBravo [he/him]
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      edit-2
      2 months ago

      Make sure to take it early enough that it doesn't just keep you wired all night, the tail end should actually make sleep easier and improve your tomorrow rat-salute-2

      • PaX [comrade/them, they/them]
        ·
        2 months ago

        07 Ty for advice, will do

        Took my dose shortly after I woke up (had to rethink the whole medication thing first, worrying about it just giving me a massive anxiety attack or something but it's actually been quite pleasant so far if anything)