American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Hand-sewn crown-shaped headband made for a member of the PMA Women's Auxiliary. The Auxiliary was active in protests and marches supporting the miners in their struggle, and members of the Women's Auxiliary were photographed wearing similar headbands (photos not included). -- Two cabinet card photographs of "General" Alexander Bradley, 7 1/4 x 5 1/4 in. or smaller, taken by A. W. Kessberger in Springfield Illinois or Merker in Bellville Illinois. (Some creasing to one mount affecting the upper corner of the image, the Merker card with paper remnants adhered to lower mount margin, pencil annotations to each). -- Ribbon from a Progressive Miners of America memorial event commemorating the Virden Massacre, a labor union conflict in which several miners died or were injured. The ribbon includes a memorial for several of the miners who were killed printed celluloid and sewn at the bottom. -- [UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA]. Typed letter signed, 19 October 1918, from A. C. Schneder, Secretary-Treasurer of the United Mine Workers of America Sub-District No. 6 of District No. 12, to Bertha Moss, Alex Bradley's sister. Offering condolences on the death of Bradley. With original typescript envelope and a funeral notice for Alexander Bradley. -- Together, 6 items.

Alexander "General" Bradley was an immigrant coal miner and union activist. He began to informally organize miners and led a contingent on a march across Illinois from Mt. Olive to Staunton, and ultimately on to Belleville during the national strike on July 4, 1897. He fought for better wages and working conditions, and lead the miners at the Battle of Virden. In the aftermath of the Battle of Virden, the United Mine Workers were successful in representing Illinois miners. Bradley wrote The Great Coal Miners' Strike of 1897, a memoir of his life and efforts to organize local workers. He continued organizing until his death in 1918.