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The Guns of Lattimer

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Michael Novak has taken a unique approach to telling the story of a tragedy that happened in Lattimer, PA in 1897. Most of the book is the fact-filled history of a day when about 400 unarmed Slovak anthracite coal miners from Harwood marched to Lattimer to call on Lattimer miners to join their strike. They were met by the seriff and a heavily-armed posse of citizens. As the sheriff tried to stop them, someone yelled "Fire!" and the ensuing slaughter is known as the Lattimer Massacre. Nineteen miners died, many shot in the back as they tried to flee, and many others were badly injured. At the following trial, in which the defense attorney played on the prejudices of the jury, the sheriff and posse were acquitted. Novak personalizes the story by including the fictional story of a Slovak miner in separate chapters, and while I think this feature is unnecessary, it does make the reader even more aware of the injustice done that day. After Lattimer, the miners realized fully that they needed a strong leader and a strong organization, and John Mitchell of the United Mine Workers was on the scene to take advantage of that fact. I found The Guns of Lattimer to be an unexpectedly moving book. Novak is not an historian. The book combines all the best features of well-researched history with social commentary. Novak is himself descended from Slovak immigrants so the reader is able to see this story from their point of view. It's biased, yes, but factual. I recommend it highly.

This 1978 hardcover book is the true story of a massacre of unarmed striking coal miners and the resulting trial of the deputies. The United States is the third largest nation with eastern European descendants in the world; nearly one in ten Americans. Yet their history has been neglected (p.xi). The open and peaceful protest could not have occurred in the Austro-Hungarian Empire (p.xii); they would have been violently suppressed. Yet this happened near Hazleton Pennsylvania on September 10, 1897. The 'Introduction' says the accessible records tell about the mine owners and their agents. The author sought out memoirs to learn about the Slovaks, Lithuanians, and Poles from that region (p.xiii). Novak explains his use of a composite character to tell about the events of that time. [It detracts from the story.] The written records came from those who suppressed the strike. It was not easy to get information from the striker's descendants; they have a long history of fear of strangers (p.xv). Three-quarters of the world's anthracite is found in a small section of NE Pennsylvania (p.2). 1893 had the worst depression in 19th century America. Immigrants from eastern Europe came to America to work and save. They were resented by those who came to America earlier. County government is the basis of Pennsylvania politics (p.7), sheriffs then were quite powerful. There was high unemployment in 1897. Coal brought riches to a few, poverty and death to many, and blighted the landscapes to enrich Philadelphia and New York (p.9). Hazleton's ruling class was composed of a few families (pp.35-43). Pages 45-50 tell of life for the working class. The strike began when a superintendent tried to make the mule tenders work longer hours for the same pay (pp.18-20). This book tells about life in a small hard coal mining town. New taxes on immigrants caused the men to go out on strike (p.63). This tax was quickly ruled unconstitutional (p.81). But it created a larger strike.

On September 10, 1897 the orders were to stop the striking miners from peaceably assembling by shooting them (p.116). The Sheriff's deputies attacked some marchers, this provided the "disorder" needed to halt the march (pp.120-121). The Chief of Police countermanded the Sheriff's order, they miners could march around the edges of West Hazleton (map page 72). At Lattimer Sheriff Martin tried to stop the march. The deputies opened fire at the men in the road. Those who ran away were shot in the back (p.129). Some deputies laughed and boasted of their killing (p.131). [Novak claimed their Winchesters held 16 bullets each 3 inches long (p.132). That would need 4 feet, which seems unbelievable.] Most of the dead were shot in the back (p.137). Citizens at a public meeting condemned the Sheriff and deputies (p.147). Some of the deputies went into hiding (p.151). The National Guard prevented the arrest of the 102 deputies and the sheriff (p.155). A Constable was arrested by the National Guard to let a man wanted for murder go free (p.161)! The strike continued (p.172). Almost all joined the United Mine Workers union (p.175). There was unity among the ethnic groups (p.176). The ruling class wanted and got an acquittal (p.180). Part 5 tells of the trial. It was fixed for an acquittal, it was a sham (p.233)

Novak explains the traits of the Slavs that set them apart from others. They lived in extreme poverty yet could save prodigious amounts (p.xvi). Smiling was considered impolite among strangers, or to look a superior in the eye. The 'Bibliography' lists the Books, Articles, Public Documents, Interviews, and Newspapers used by the author. One result from that event was Pennsylvania founded the first state police force in the nation in 1905. Its mission was to keep order among the laborers; the miners referred to them as "the Cossacks" (p.243). The 'Epilogue' has the author's comments on history. Was the Lattimer massacre really a "ritual slaying" (p.245)?