Mother Of All Agitators, Mother Jones Was Buried In Mt. Olive Cemetery

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A Celebration For One Of America's Most Loved & Hated Women

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 Friday, April 20, 2018 - 10:28
Mary G. Harris Jones, known as Mother Jones was one of the most hated women in America at one time. She helped coordinate major strikes and co founded the Industrial Workers of the World.
Mary G. Harris Jones, known as Mother Jones was one of the most hated women in America at one time. She helped coordinate major strikes and co founded the Industrial Workers of the World.

MT. OLIVE - The city of Mt. Olive Illinois and the Friends of Mother Jones Museum have prepared a dignitary’s welcome for United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) President Cecil Roberts on April 28 at 11 AM, at Union Miners Cemetery. Roberts is known to be a passionate speaker on civil rights and labor. Roberts will also lay wreaths at the graves of legendary Irish born labor agitator Mother Jones, former UMWA Secretary Treasurer John Banovic and Sam Yurkovich, an immigrant miner and WW I Battle of the Argonne hero.

Mary G. Harris Jones (b. 1837, d. 1930), commonly referred to as Mother Jones, was an Irish-born prominent organized labor representative and community organizer. She helped coordinate major strikes and co founded the Industrial Workers of the World. Active as an organizer and educator in strikes throughout the country in the late 1800's to early 1900's, she was involved particularly with the UMWA and the Socialist Party of America. Due to her work as a union organizer, she gained prominence for organizing the wives and children of striking workers in demonstrations on their behalf. She was termed "the most dangerous woman in America" by West Virginia district attorney, Reese Blizzard in 1902, at her trial for ignoring an injunction banning meetings by striking miners. "There sits the most dangerous woman in America", announced Blizzard. "She comes into a state where peace and prosperity reign ... crooks her finger [and] twenty thousand contented men lay down their tools and walk out."

The UMWA has historically faced difficult challenges battling for unionization, benefits, and job safety, while keeping the memories of their martyrs and dead alive.

Union Miners Cemetery is the only union owned cemetery in the USA. As part of the ceremony, Roberts will dig some clay from above Jones' grave to be transported to the Mining Museum in Matewan West Virginia, an area where Jones was, and today remains, a heroic figure.

After laying wreaths, Roberts will be escorted to the Mother Jones Museum where Mt. Olive Mayor John Skertich will read a Macoupin county resolution proclaiming the day Mother Jones Day and welcoming Roberts.  Roberts, IL AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Tim Drea, Illinois 48th District Senator Andy Manar, IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) Business Representative Gordon Hayman, Madison County Court Clerk Mark Von Nida and Betsy Dirksen Londrigan. Londrigan is the Democratic candidate for the Illinois District 13 congressional seat, running against incumbent Rodney Davis.

There will be a miner’s meal, music and tours of the museum beginning at 11:30.  The event is to celebrate May 1, Mother Jones’s selected birthday and will last until 2PM. It's free, family oriented, and open to the public. The cemetery is located just off Interstate 55. Take exit 44 off I-55, travel east to nearby Mt. Olive. Turn left at the 2nd stop sign onto Old Rt. 66, look for the cemetery to your left and follow the signs.