Excerpt from Williamson County, Illinois, in the World War: Containing a Brief Review of the World War Complete History of Williamson County's Activities Photographs and Service Records of Williamson County's Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Industrial Review of Business and Professional Firms Who Have Made Thi "We here highly reserve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom." These prophetic words of Lincoln at Gettysburg uttered more than a half a century ago furnish a most fitting text to the task we fall to in the following pages to record Williamson County's part in the great world war just closed. In compiling this local history, we have contended throughout with a certain reluctancy on the part of all soldiers who did not appear over enthusiastic to see their picture or war record in print. They wanted no gilt frame about the picture, nor festivities made of their part. They were almost to the man reserved and extremely modest in speaking, when they did speak, of what they saw, did or thought. But everywhere in America this seems to have been the attitude and probably may be put down as a national trait of our new soldiers. Now that the job is finished, they have the satisfaction of feeling that they upheld the honor and the glory of the country and lay claims to 1 no credit save that contentment that comes from a service well performed. Of course this history is not complete. It is practically an impossibility, or to say the least, an almost endless task to bring every person's part in this great undertaking up to exactness. No efforts were spared, however, by the Williamson County War History Society to accomplish the task. Every individual who would lend the least bit of assistance was enlisted in preparing some portion of this work. Public men, business and commercial institutions of every sort, theaters, pulpits, schools and newspapers throughout the country were called upon for various tasks in helping collect data, pictures, compile facts and perform other necessary duties. Everyone of them responded with a willingness and promptness that was beautiful indeed. If any one had ever before been doubtful of the loyalty of Williamson County, Illinois, as we passed through the war, he could not have served on this society and been of the same mind when the book was ready for the printer. Few counties in Illinois have such a large number of foreign born men of military age residing in their communities in proportion to the native born population as did Williamson County at the outbreak of war. The coal mining industry had attracted labor from everywhere. The mines, railroads and all other commercial institutions in the county were going at top speed and had been for months preceding our declaration of war against Germany. Never before had this county experience! such high wages, nor had labor been as scarce and the de and so great as at this time. Prosperity was abroad in the land everywhere and everybody id money, especially the young men of military age. It was therefore a matter of Iong schooling and repeated urging before the spirit of national loyalty took hold of the community at large and especially the young men. There were few volunteer enlistments in the army in the industrial centers of the county until the war got into the second year. Our cordial appreciation is extended to Mrs. John A. Logan of Washington, D.C., beloved widow of General Logan, both of whom were residents of this section of the State, when the great Civil War broke out, for her contribution. Also our thanks are extended Governor Frank 0. Lowden of Illinois, the foremost War Governor, for his beautiful tribute. We also desire to acknowledge our indebtedness for the loan of several illustrations that illustrate these pages by Hon. Francis G.Blair, State Superintendent of Public Instruction and previously appearing in a Peace Day publ

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In 1922, a coal miner strike spread across the United States, swallowing the heavily-unionized mining town of Herrin, Illinois. When the owner of the town's local mine hired non-union workers to break the strike, violent conflict broke out between the strikebreakers and unionized miners, who were all heavily armed. When strikebreakers surrendered and were promised safe passage home, the unionized miners began executing them before large, cheering crowds. This book tells the cruel truth behind the story that the coal industry tried to suppress and that Herrin wants to forget. A thorough account of the massacre and its aftermath, this book sets a heartland tragedy against the rise and decline of the coal industry.