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Bloody Williamson

Bloody Williamson. Paul Angle. The Herrin Massacre Chapter Two. Approach To Massacre. The Characters:. William J. Lester - mine owner C.K. McDowell - mine superintendent Colonel Samuel Hunter - officer from Adjutant Generals office Carlos Black - Adjutant General

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Bloody Williamson

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  1. Bloody Williamson Paul Angle

  2. The Herrin MassacreChapter Two Approach To Massacre

  3. The Characters: • William J. Lester - mine owner • C.K. McDowell - mine superintendent • Colonel Samuel Hunter - officer from Adjutant Generals office • Carlos Black - Adjutant General • Deloes Duty - States Attorney, Williamson County • Len Small - Governor of Illinois • Melvin Thaxton – Sheriff of Williamson County • Robert Davis – Guard officer from Carbondale • Oldham Paisley – editor of Marion Republican • John L. Lewis – President of the UMWA (United Mine Workers of America) • William J. Sneed – State Senator/sub district president of UMW. • Hugh Willis – State board member of the UMWA. • Fox Hughes – sub district Vice President for the UMW

  4. September 1921 • Southern Illinois Coal Company (owned by William J. Lester, from Ohio) opened a strip mine between Herrin and Marion. • Lester’s first experience. • From November 1921 to April 1922, they shipped coal and employed 50 union miners. • April 1922 • Coal Strike by the United Mine Workers of America • working conditions were bad • Bad pay • Sometimes working in water up to their knees • Dangerous work • Led to health problems • Lester was deep in debt. • Because he had just bought two new coal scoops • Coal prices would increase as the strike continued. • Lester and local union officials made a deal.

  5. Lester’s Deal • First, local union officials gave Lester permission to repair two steam shovels. • Later, he was given permission to uncover coal with union miners, but not to load and ship it. • This way, once he was allowed to ship again, the coal would already be harvested • By June of 1922 Lester had 60,000 tons of coal uncovered • Demand for coal was high because of the strike • 60,000 tons of coal was worth $250,000

  6. June 13, 1922 • Lester dismissed the union miners. • Hired guards and workers known as strikebreakers from Chicago to work and protect the mine from the striking union miners • Strikebreakers were workers who would come in during a strike to keep an industry going • They would also work for less money than typical union workers • This kept production going and saved the industry money and typically ended the strike quicker • June 16, 1922 • Lester notified Burlington Rail Road that he had coal ready to ship. • First RR crew he asked refused to haul the coal. • The second crew he asked agreed to haul the coal. • This violation of the strike was monumental. • No non-union mines had operated in 15 years. • Williamson and Franklin counties were home to 60,000 union miners. (half of the membership of the UMWA)

  7. June 17, 1922 • Colonel Hunter (officer from Adjutant Generals office) read in theChicago Tribune that the Southern Illinois Coal Company had started shipping coal. • Hunter knew Southern Illinois and realized that there would be trouble. • He tried to contact his superiors to call in some kind of help/reinforcement to keep the peace • Called States Attorney Delos Duty, then headed for Marion. • Sunday, June 18, 1922 • Colonel Hunter and Guard officer Robert Davis met with Mine Superintendent McDowell. • McDowell told them he knew of no threats but asked for troops to replace the guards to save money. • Troops would be paid by the federal government, not the mine • Hunter urged him to shut down the mine, but McDowell refused

  8. June 19, 1922 • Meeting held with Lester, Hunter, and Duty • Duty and Hunter pleaded with Lester to close the mine. • Lester says no • Lester asked Sheriff Thaxton to deputize guards. • Basically give the mine guards the same authority as law enforcement • Thaxton says no • After the meeting, Hunter told Lester he did not think the sheriff would prevent trouble and that he should close the mine. • Lester says no, again • Hunter would then report to Carlos Black, his superior (Adjutant General)

  9. Hunter’s Report To Adjutant General Black • The situation in Williamson County was intense. • Locals sympathized with union miners. • Sheriff Thaxton was a candidate for County Treasurer, very little help, and could not be counted on. • It is believed that Thaxton did little to intervene because he didn’t want to upset the striking union miners • labor accounted for 75-80% of the vote for County Treasurer • Hunter recommended that troops be made ready. • Hunter’s Report to Editor Paisley (Marion Republican) • Everything was fine and there was nothing to worry about • That same day, Paisley interviews Lester, who says • Everything is OK. • Rail Road men and steam shovels were union men and in good standing. • Guards were only there because they were required by the insurance company.

  10. John L. Lewis telegram (President of UMWA) • Tuesday, June 20, 1922 • Sub-district union president William Sneed had wired Lewis in regards to Lester’s statement about the “union” men at the mine. • Lewis’ response – there are no legitimate union miners at the mine….treat the workers as they do any other common strikebreakers. • Lewis’ response was published in the newspaper. • This response made by Lewis is sometimes given credit for starting the Herrin Massacre • June 21, 1922 • Hunter called sheriff’s office - urged action. • Thaxton was out of the office, but the sheriff’s department felt everything was okay • Hunter organized a committee to avert violence - all showed up except Thaxton. • Office was closed - no one could find him.

  11. That Same Day • A truck with more strikebreakers had been ambushed between Carbondale and Herrin. • Thaxton persuaded Duty to go with him to investigate the incident and determine whose jurisdiction it was. • Meanwhile, back in Herrin • Miners met at the cemetery and the telegram from Lewis was read. • After the reading, looting of stores began. • Striking miners began stealing guns and ammunition from stores • Hunter called Black to report developments and then McDowell to warn him of the striking miners • June 21, 3:30 pm • McDowell called and reported the mine was surrounded by striking miners and was being attacked. • Lots of gunfire between strikers and strike breakers • Hunter called the sheriff to send deputies and called the Adjutant General (Black) to request troops. • Thaxton was out but the sheriff’s deputy said he could handle it.

  12. Hunter’s report to Black • Sheriff missing • The deputy was no help • McDowell wanted troops sent to the mine. • Hunter thought they were needed. • 4:30-6:00 • Truce was worked out by a committee in touch with Lester. • Both sides would display a white flag. • Shooting would stop. • Lester would close the mine. • Strikebreakers would receive safe passage out of the mine. • UMW office in Herrin was called with the terms of the truce. • Fox Hughes (sub district Vice President for the UMW)took the call. • Hughes was to go to the mine with the terms and the white flag. • Hunter reports to Black about the truce.

  13. Meanwhile, Hughes goes to the mine. • But he keeps the white flag in his shirt. • Does absolutely nothing upon arrival at the mine • Claims there was “no white flag to be seen by the other side” • Assumes strikebreakers had broken their promise and returned to Herrin. • That night (still June 21, 1922) • A meeting was held on how to put the truce into effect. • It was decided that Thaxton should go to the mine. • Hunter, Davis, and Willis offered to go with him, but Thaxton said he needed sleep. They would go at 6:00 a.m. the next morning • Hunter reported to Black - truce would go into effect by morning - no troops needed.

  14. June 22, 1922 • 6:00 a.m. no response from Thaxton. • Two hours later he appears. • Word that the strikebreakers had surrendered was out. • Davis wanted to intercept the mob to prevent killing. • Thaxton wanted to go to the mine. • 9:00 a.m. • Thaxton and company finally reach the mine. • Everything is on fire. • Strikebreakers had surrendered at 6:00. • The time that Thaxton was supposed to be there • They begin to follow a trail….

  15. Chapter One Massacre

  16. June 22, 1922 • After being surrounded and fired upon, the men at the mine begged McDowell to surrender. • They asked for safe passage, and were told they would get it. • They surrendered and were marched out of the mine toward Herrin. • After suffering abuse on the march, one man said, “The only way to free the county of strikebreakers is to kill them all off and stop the breed.” • Someone urged restraint but it fell on deaf ears. • McDowell, who had a wooden leg, could not keep up. • He was taken down a side road and killed. • When the group heard the shots, one man said, “There goes your ******** superintendent. That’s what we’re going to do to you.”

  17. At the Powerhouse • Plans were made to kill them four at a time. • A car pulled up with a man identified as Hugh Willis (State board member of the UMWA) • “Listen, don’t go killing these fellows on a public highway. There are too many women and children around to do that. Take them over in the woods and give it to them. Kill all you can.” • He then drove away. • Powerhouse Woods • The men were taken into the woods to a barbed wire fence and told to run. • The union men opened fire on the strikebreakers. • The strikebreakers were then chased and hunted down. • Those who had survived being shot and were found still breathing were executed

  18. At Harrison Woods • Harrison and his son heard shooting, and saw a man running toward them. • Those chasing the man shot him and dragged him into the woods. • Another group marched two prisoners into the woods. • Harrison and his son later found four dead men on their property • At the School Yard • Men had gathered with prisoners. • Six prisoners were stripped of their shoes, forced to crawl and walk to the cemetery. • At the Cemetery • The six were tied together and told to move. • At this point the mob was told the sheriff was coming. • The remaining prisoners were shot by the mob. • After the bodies were still, someone fired again into each of the bodies to ensure they were dead

  19. Still at the Cemetery • When some showed signs of life, one striking miner took a knife and slashed throats. • Don Ewing, a Chicago newspaperman, arrived about 9:30. • O’Rourke (mine guard from Chicago) and Hoffman (strikebreaker) were conscious and calling for water. (2 of the 6) • Ewing tried to help, but was threatened with a gun. • Thaxton finally arrives and puts down the strikers • The dead are sent to a storeroom. • Those who are alive are sent to the Herrin Hospital. • 19 strikebreakers and 2 union miners were killed.

  20. Chapter Three Massacre: The Aftermath

  21. News of the events spread around the country. • It was condemned by newspapers, in the U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives. • Coroner’s Inquest • Jury found that all killed except Henderson, a union miner whose death was attributed to McDowell, died at the hands of “unknown parties.” The deaths were due to the acts of the SIC Company. Blame should be placed on the officers. • The jury’s findings infuriated the country and gave the appearance that the actions were condoned by the people of Williamson County. • The strikebreakers (19) were buried in the potter’s field at Herrin cemetery with few present. • The union miners (2) were mourned by thousands with long funeral processions.

  22. Lack of action was condemned by many including Gen Blackjack Pershing and President Harding. • Harding requested expansion of Federal jurisdiction to punish the guilty. • Illinois Chamber of Commerce responded by raising money to fund the prosecution. • UMW responded by raising money for the defense of any accused. • It was becoming an issue about business vs. labor and not one of bringing murderers to justice.

  23. Grand Jury meets • 214 indictments for murder. • 58 for conspiracy. • 58 for rioting. • 54 for assault to murder. • Other observations (Who’s to blame?) • Sheriff Thaxton was a union card holder and candidate for office. He refused to ask for troops and failed to even try to keep peace. • Adjutant General’s office had failed to act decisively, but blamed the sheriff. • Local police did nothing to stop the looting of stores. • John L. Lewis’s telegram was noted as being published just before plans were made to attack the mine. • The SICC was within it’s legal rights to resume operation but was either ignorant of the danger or willing to ignore the danger for profits.

  24. As to the deaths of the union miners, the grand jury tried to gather evidence but the UMW counsel would not cooperate. No responsibility could be determined. • Labor was upset by the ruling, others proclaimed justice prevailed. • For those indicted, bail was raised by Herrin citizens who signed bonds worth $410,000. • Those held without bail were treated very well while in prison. (home cooked meals, visitors, fans, etc.)

  25. Chapter Four Two Trials and an Investigation

  26. The First Trial • Eight men were charged with murder. • UMW counsel tried to make it an issue of labor vs. business. • Prosecution provided witnesses to testify to the events and identify the defendants. • Harrison and his son • Don Ewing • Some of the survivors • The defense provided witnesses who gave alibis for all of the defendants. • All were acquitted. • Freed of charges • Labor papers proclaimed vindication, others a travesty of justice.

  27. Second trial • Repeat of the first. • Witnesses, alibis, and acquittals. • At this point Duty concluded that it was pointless and there would be no more trials. All remaining indictments were dismissed.

  28. Report issued • Black was blamed for not taking personal charge. • Hunter was incompetent • Thaxton was criminally negligent • Local officers were derelict in their duty. • Willis would be convicted of murder anywhere else. • Hughes and other union officials could have prevented the disaster. • Lester was condemned for his greed and foolhardiness. • Duty was praised for his attempt to bring justice. • In the final report, Lester was condemned and all others exonerated with blame affixed to mobs composed of people from other towns and localities. • This report was pushed through the legislature during the last hours of a session.

  29. The Klan

  30. Chapter Eight Klansman and Dictator

  31. The Klan Enters • May 20, 1923, Klansmen entered the First Christian Church of Marion. • Delivered a letter and $30. p.135 • “They stand for something good” • According to the Angle (author), this was the first appearance of the KKK in Williamson County • A week later, 200 people from Williamson and Franklin counties were inducted into the Klan, which was over 2,000 strong in Southern Illinois • Five weeks later they entered the Methodist Church in Herrin. • Most protestant churches backed the Klan and their fight against law breakers. • Vice in Williamson County • The Klan formed to combat saloons, roadhouses, gambling, prostitution, and bootlegging in Williamson County. • Targets of the Klan • Vice establishments. • Italians in Herrin. (20%) • Other immigrants. • Home-made wine.

  32. George Galligan • Williamson County Sheriff • Did little to oppose vice. • Lack of deputies. • Main supporters were bootleggers and gamblers. • Public Response to the Klan • Many were tired of the poor image of the County and the rampant vice. • Wanted to counter the image from the Herrin Massacre. • A committee traveled to Springfield and D.C. trying to get help from the government • Received help from the Prohibition Commission. • They were told to hire an investigator and gather evidence. • The group met S. Glenn Young.

  33. Young comes to Williamson County • Young, a former U.S. marshal, and his father-in-law came to the county and visited the “soft drink parlors” gathering evidence. • The committee returned to D.C. with the evidence and asking that someone be sent to deputize Young and some men. • Young returns and recruits his raiders in secret. • Young’s First Raid • Raided roadhouses in Herrin and Marion. • The raid was an overwhelming success. • No information of the raid had leaked out. • Proprietors thought the Feds were out of town. • They were selling liquor with more freedom than usual • Those arrested were taken to Benton to the Federal court house. • The parade of cars and prisoners drew a crowd of spectators. • Those who could posted bail, and the rest were held in Benton. • The jail was full with the excess being sent to the jail in Herrin. • Two more raids followed. • In the 3 raids, 256 total lawbreakers were imprisoned

  34. Opposition to the Klan • Opposed by those who feared strict law enforcement and those who had no sympathy for the Klan. • The Knights of the Flaming Circle • Opposition group. • Led by Ora Thomas • Anti-Italian acts • During the raids Klansmen raided not only bars, but homes of Italians in Herrin. • Some were beaten and robbed. • Evidence was planted against some. • The central figure in most stories of brutality was Young • First Crisis • Dec. 28, 1923. • State Representative Wallace Bandy was arrested for possession of alcohol. • Young claimed he was a Klansman holding evidence. • At Paul Corder’s restaurant Young and Corder exchanged words.

  35. Corder made some remarks about Bandy • Young beat him up. • Young was arrested for assault and battery. • At the court house Young arrived with several men, all armed and with a portable machine gun. • Quickly he was acquitted of all charges. • Calling the Cavalry • Before the jury had convened, Galligan called for the state militia, and General Black came to Marion. • National Guardsmen patrolled Marion. • County was divided. • Federal Response • W.W. Anderson, chief prohibition officer, sent a telegram: “Make no further raids under present conditions.” • Young responded that he would continue to conduct raids with the full support of the Klan.

  36. Many people wanted the soldiers to leave Williamson County. • Black was lobbied by pro-Klansmen but would not remove them. • Negotiations were conducted with the Sheriff. • Galligan had Chief Deputy Layman meet with the saloonkeepers and bootleggers at the Rome Club, telling them to close their bars or they would be shut down. • Three of eighty-three complied. • Attempts to disarm people in Herrin fell short where over 200 gun permits had been issued to Klansmen. • Justice of the Peace, Sam Stearns, refused to revoke the permits he had issued because the anti-Klan element controlled Herrin and the men were in danger.

  37. Herrin discharged anti-Klan policemen and replaced them with pro-Klan people. • Galligan agreed to conduct raids and meet with anyone who had evidence of law violations. • Galligan made 18 raids over several days. • He approved of the removal of the Guard. • Raids Resumed • Shortly after the troops withdrew, Young resumed the raids hitting 35 places and making 66 arrests. • Young stated raids would continue as necessary until all bootleggers were out of Williamson County. • The Big Raid • February 1, 1924 • 1200-1300 Klansmen met at Redman’s Lodge in Johnston City to serve warrants issued by the justice of the peace. • The raid began at 9:00 p.m. and continued until noon the next day.

  38. The Results • 6 stills • 27 barrels of wine • 54 gallons of white mule • 200 gallons of home brew • 125 people arrested • The prisoners were loaded on a prearranged train and taken to Benton. • They were lined up and marched to the court house in parade fashion led by Young and guarded on the flanks.

  39. Rome Club • February 8, 1924 • Meeting was held by the anti-Klan faction. • Galligan and Layman go to the Rome Club to warn those present not to cause trouble. • Two pro-Klan police officers from Herrin arrive. • The two officers were the chief, John Ford, and Harold Crain. • Carl and Ernie Shelton along with Ora Thomas capture the officers and take their guns • A scuffle between Layman and Ford occurred and in the confusion Layman was shot. • Layman tried to blame Ford, but Ora Thomas had his guns and said so. • Galligan takes the two prisoners out, disarms a third policeman who was arriving, commandeered a car, loads the prisoners in the car, and sends the driver to Marion.

  40. Galligan called Black asking for troops. • He sent the two officers to Murphysboro to prevent a lynching. • Caesar Cagle (a Herrin constable) was a former bootlegger turned Klansman. • He had been told there was a fight and left the Masonic Lodge to respond. • He met a mob on the street and was shot and left to die. • He was taken to Herrin Hospital where he died.

  41. The Klan Responds • Young and the Klan converged on Herrin, patrolling the streets and closing off the city. • Anyone who did not have the password was turned away from Herrin or ordered off the street. • Warrants were issued for Galligan, Thomas, Mayor Anderson and others for the death of Cagle. • When Young learned that Thomas was at the hospital he went after him. • Dr. Black refused to open the door for Young who responded by shooting at the door • The Klan then proceeded to shoot up the hospital.

  42. The Guard Arrives • At 3:00 a.m. the first of the troops arrive. • Major Robert Davis from Carbondale with a company of 20 men walked into the mob with guns loaded and bayonets fixed and ordered them to disperse. • Outnumbered 25 to 1, the Guard caused the Klan to “slink away”. • The Next Morning • The hospital had broken glass and bullet marks. • Despite the presence of troops, the Klan still patrolled the streets wearing tin stars. • Young declared himself chief of police and had people arrested including Mayor Anderson and Sheriff Galligan. • Young declared Galligan guilty of the murder of Cagle. • When confronted by the acting sheriff for the county, Young refused to hand over Galligan.

  43. Cagle’s Funeral • Held Sunday at First Baptist Church. • Buried with full Klan rites. • Thousands attended and viewed the body. • At the end of the day, Young was still in charge of Herrin.

  44. Chapter Nine The Klan War

  45. S. Glen Young • Born in Long Island, Kansas. • Worked for a short time for the FBI. • Worked for the Treasury Department in the Prohibition Unit. • Young exaggerated his history for the public. • As a prohibition agent, Young lost his job for misconduct. • February 11, 1924 • Three days after the shooting, 1700 guardsmen patrolled the streets and set up machine gun nests at strategic corners. • Major General Milton Foreman who was in command limited who could carry guns. • It was noted that Young held no position of authority yet remained at the chief’s office.

  46. Young vacated the office when Ford returned to the office. • Officials arrested by Young were freed and returned. • Galligan was held in Urbana and released to acting sheriff, McCown. • National Guardsmen escorted them back. • Coroner’s jury attributed Cagle’s death to Carl and Ernie Shelton. (neither had been arrested by Young) • General Foreman met with officials and leading citizens urging them to take control of their own county. • Citizen’s Committee • 35-40 business owners worked to bring peace between the Klan and Galligan. • A grand jury met and issued indictments against numerous Klansmen for the events of Feb. 8th & 9th. • Questions arose over Young’s authority to conduct raids.

  47. Young was being paid by members of the Klan. • From November to February he was paid between five and seven thousand dollars. • Young was told privately that he would no longer be paid. • Publicly he was still supported. • The dismissal of Young was called for by one side, while the other wanted Galligan to resign. • New deputies were hired that had connections to neither side and all raids would be conducted by the sheriff. • Young proclaimed Williamson County fairly dry and he intended to continue his work in D.C. • Bottom line: No pay/no raids. • Change in venue for those arrested in the previous raids was to Danville, IL.

  48. Hearings were moved to get away from the Williamson Co. area. • Deputy marshals kept the crowds under control and would not allow Young to enter with his guns. • 178 defendants were tried including Ora Thomas and Charlie Birger • Back Home • 99 indictments were issued for the attack on the Hospital and the killing of Cagle. • Young was indicted for offenses against the peace including • parading with arms, false imprisonment, conspiracy, kidnapping, assault with attempt to murder, assault with deadly weapons, falsely assuming an office, robbery, larceny, riot, and malicious mischief. • Carl and Earl Shelton for the murder of Cagle.

  49. Grand Jury Report • p. 168 • Klan responded with a rally and parade to protest the “unrighteous verdict”.

  50. Young was still supported by the Klan but had his money cut off. • An attack on Sam Stearns was thought to be a ploy by Young to force them to rehire him. • Young then went to work for the Klan in East St. Louis.

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