ISHPEMING — “It is quite probable that the mines of Ishpeming will all be idle today as a general walkout of the men employed here is threatened.

“Shortly before 11 o’clock yesterday morning about 500 Negaunee miners accompanied by several Ishpeming men marched through the city on their way to the Lake Superior (Mining Company) Section 16 mine. The procession was headed by two drummers.

“The Negaunee men, together with a few Ishpeming men, had previously met near Union Park and decided to wait on the miners here and ask them to join in a general strike. The meeting was unusually quiet considering the number of men assembled. No speeches were made and very few suggestions, as to the course to be pursued, were offered.

“At Section 16 the men stood around until 12 o’clock and patiently waited until those working on the ten-hour shift came up from underground. As soon as the miners got into the dry house they were waited on by a committee and were asked if they would not quit work, pending a general raise in wages.

The men realized that there was no use saying no as they had understood that they would not be permitted to work even if they desired to, so they took off their working clothes and joined the crowd. The stockpile men were then consulted. They also dropped their tools and quit working.” (Mining Journal, July 16, 1895)

Two years earlier, in 1893, a financial panic brought an end to the ‘Gilded Age’ and developed into a general economic depression of great severity. Orders for iron ore were greatly reduced and the area mining companies responded either by closing mines or reducing wages. The price of goods also fell.

By 1895, things were improving. There was more demand for iron ore and the price of consumer goods was rising as well, yet the miners’ wages were still at the 1893 level.

There were unions, but few of them had enough clout to be effective.

However, the panic would not be over until 1897. Some of the closed mines in the area would not reopen.

“So far as The Mining Journal can learn, many of the Ishpeming miners do not favor a strike. They all agree that their wages are not satisfactory, but they think that the time is not far distant when the companies will voluntarily give them an advance. The trammers, as a rule, are very much dissatisfied with their pay and it is said they were the first to make a kick. The trammers are generally paid by the day, while the miners are working on contract.” (Mining Journal, July 16, 1895)

“There was a general walkout of the men employed at the mines in Ishpeming yesterday. A few men worked the previous night out, none but a few stockpile men and steam shovel hands were on hand yesterday. The steam shovels which were stopped Monday evening were started up again yesterday morning and continued in operation until the strikers came over from Negaunee in the afternoon and compelled the men operating them to quit work. Some of the men desired to return to work yesterday but the mine officials did not care to continue operations with a broken force so they requested the men to remain at home until the difficulties were settled.

About 300 Ishpeming miners assembled at the old baseball grounds near the Co-operative society’s store on South Main street yesterday morning at 8 o’clock. The meeting was called to order by William Coad, who said that some of the men had requested him to do so in order to ascertain the wish of the strikers in general.

Mr. Coad said he understood it was the desire of the Ishpeming men to go to Union Park to confer with the Negaunee miners, and requested all who were in favor of going to raise their hands.

A large majority of those present responded to the request and none opposed it. The speaker then requested the men to form in line and start for the park.” (Mining Journal, July 17, 1895)

“At 10 o’clock about 2,000 miners from both cities had assembled at the meeting point. Men working in the mines were the only ones admitted to the park. A local reporter for a Chicago daily who attempted to squeeze through the gate was caught in the act. The men guarding the entrance told him that he was not wanted inside and requested the scribe to stay out. After the meeting had been called to order the ambitious reporter made another attempt to get in. He passed the gate tenders unnoticed but the boys inside got after him. As quick as a flash strong hands had the intruder by the seat of his trousers and rushed him out the gate. Someone, either accidentally or otherwise, hit the reporter a blow on the nose and peeled some of the skin off. That settled it. He remained outside after that. So far as The Mining Journal can learn the men decided to continue the strike as long as they possibly can. Eight or ten of the miners representing the different nationalities addressed the crowd. They all agreed to stand by one another and to fight the battle to a finish. Those who are unable to provide for their families will be assisted by others. It is said that it was also agreed to molest all who attempt to work at any of the mines in either city. Work will not be permitted under any circumstances until a settlement with the companies is reached.” (Mining Journal, July 17, 1895)

It was an advantageous time for the strikers in that it was summer. Houses did not have to be heated and by mid-July, most gardens were starting to be harvested.

But it was also advantageous for the mining companies. Stockpiles had been built to the level that the mining companies could use them to fill orders, if there were steam shovel operators to transfer the ore to train cars.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This storyline will include additional segments in the future.