The Lattimer Massacre
The Lattimer Massacre
Throughout the summer of 1897, the novel’s young protagonist, Nate Tanner, has been hearing talk of labor trouble between his family, who owns a number of mines in the region, and the workers – including his friends, who pick slate in the coal breakers.
The workers want higher wages and better conditions. The independent owners feel squeezed by curtailed profits due to railroad monopolies.
One by one, area collieries go out on strike, led by the newly formed United Mine Workers. Finally, on September 10, the striking miners march to Lattimer, the last operating colliery in the region, with the intention of shutting it down.
Luzerne County Sheriff James Martin and his deputies follow the march, ostensibly to keep things from getting out of hand. There are 88 lawmen, and hundreds of marchers. When the marchers reach Lattimer, a scuffle breaks out between the sheriff and some miners ... shots are fired, and a free-for-all ensues. In addition to the dead, 39 miners are wounded.
Striking Slavic miners march toward Lattimer, Sept. 10. 1897.