Striking miners parade on Division Street in Ishpeming, the final demonstration in the two-month strike of 1895. Thousands of miners went on strike from the Ishpeming and Negaunee iron ore mines to force mine owners to raise wages to $2 per day for miners, $1.75 for underground laborers and $1.50 for surface laborers. Though they didn’t get the wage increase they were after, the miners successfully formed a labor union for representation. (Marquette Regional History Center photo)

ISHPEMING — By the end of August, 1895, the strike had ground on for seven weeks. But things were about to change.

“There is a possibility that the steam shovels of the Lake Angeline, Cleveland Cliffs and Lake Superior companies may be started today, although it is probable that work will not be resumed until tomorrow, or perhaps Monday. It is a fact, however, that the companies are determined to begin loading ore from their stockpiles just as soon as arrangements to that end can be perfected. The Lake Superior company began getting its shovels in order for service yesterday and the mechanics working on the Lake Angeline shovels are pushing the repairs with all possible speed so that both companies may begin operations at the same time.

The steam shovel men have about concluded to go back to work and take chances on the result. The members of their union some time since announced their willingness to return to work. They have been almost unanimous on that point for the past three weeks. The steam shovel men and other mechanics held a meeting Tuesday night, and it is said they agreed that it was for the interest of all concerned that the steam shovel operators return to work if such is the desire of the companies.” (Mining Journal, August 30, 1895)

“It is now very evident that the companies propose starting their shovels no matter what the result may be and will give the operators protection. If a corps of special police officers are not sufficient to prevent any interference attempted by the strikers, Governor Rich will be called on to furnish military protection for the workmen. Sheriff Broad was up from Marquette yesterday. He consulted with the different mine officials regarding the situation and went home prepared to return on short notice in case his services are necessary.” (Mining Journal, August 30, 1895)

“The mining companies owning dwelling houses in Ishpeming which are occupied by their striking employees who have refused to accept the scale of wages offered them have concluded to order the premises vacated. Legal notices are now being prepared and will be served on the occupants of the dwellings within the next few days in case the men do not return to work.” (Mining Journal, August 30, 1895)

“The steam shovel men here have declined to operate the shovels. The request that they be permitted to return to work was so strongly opposed at the union meeting Thursday that they finally concluded not to tackle the job under the present condition of affairs here. It is said that the meeting was a hot one and that, although many were in favor of allowing the shovels to work, the proposition was ultimately voted down by a large adverse majority.” (Mining Journal, August 31, 1895)

There was a brief pause in the action as it was Labor Day. There was a large contingent of strikers, about 1,200, that paraded about the streets of Ishpeming on Saturday.

“It is possible that the steam shovels may not be started today on account of its being a legal holiday. It is certain, however, that the mine managers intend resuming shovel work tomorrow, provided the new men are on hand and ready to take hold. The outcome of the attempt to work the shovels will be awaited with interest.” (Mining Journal, September 2, 1895)

“The mine managers applied to Sheriff Broad for military protection Saturday, and the sheriff called on the governor the order out the Fifth regiment of national guards, composed of four upper peninsula companies and three from the lower part of the state, and one company from the Third regiment to furnish an adequate force for protection of the men employed to work the shovels.” (Mining Journal, September 2, 1895)

By the next morning, the troops were in Ishpeming.

“Five military companies – one each from Cheboygan, Ironwood, Calumet, Houghton and Marquette – of the Michigan National Guards, arrived in Ishpeming by special train yesterday morning at 4 o’clock. It was not generally known that the troops had been ordered here and many were somewhat surprised when they learned that a force of the boys in blue were really in the city.

The men did not get off the train at the depot. The cars were taken to the southern part of the city within a short distance of the Lake Superior grove, where the tents were pitched. As the soldiers were going to the grounds they made more or less noise and around some of the residents in that vicinity. Heads could be seen protruding from almost every window along the line and many expressions of surprise were heard from those who chanced to get a glimpse of the troops.” (Mining Journal September 3, 1895)

Most of the mines were around Lake Angeline and the lake itself had been drained several years before so the iron ore under the lake could be mined. In addition, those mines may have also taken their ore to Escanaba to ship, thus avoiding going through the city of Ishpeming, although some of the ore was shipped to Marquette.

“The steam shovel men arrived on the trains with the soldiers. They were escorted to boarding places as near the shovels as could be obtained. They are under the protection of the troops and as yet none of the strikers, or any others not directly identified with the management of the mines, have been permitted to communicate with them.” (Mining Journal, September 3, 1895)

On the night of the fifth of September, tragedy struck.

“The high wind last evening blew down some of the trees in the grove where ‘Camp Ishpeming’ is located, and several of the tents were caught and crushed down by them as they fell. At first it was supposed that the only damage was to the tents, but after a time it was found that Private Joseph Hines (The Iron Ore reported the last name as Heimes), of Co. D., Calumet had been struck by one of the falling trees and instantly killed. This unlooked for fatality cast a gloom over the camp, which had up to the time of the unfortunate occurrence been a place of great cheerfulness, notwithstanding the arduous service the small force of troops has to perform. A brother of the unfortunate man works in the Lake Shore Iron works at Marquette and an effort was made to communicate the sad intelligence to him last night, but it was so late before the discovery that he was killed was made that his brother could not be reached.” (Mining Journal, September 6, 1895)

Hines would become the first National Guardsman killed in the line of duty in the state of Michigan.