A photo of the visit of United Mine Workers President John Mitchell, to the Lykens Valley for a week in September 1905. The group is standing on the steps of the residence of Thomas A. Hensel in Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Mitchell stayed for a week while he was rallying miners in the union’s 9th district. His pitch was for the miners to join the union and the union would get the miners an eight hour day.
Identified in the photograph are:
Front Row (standing on lower step): John Mitchell, president United Mine Workers.
Back Row (standing on upper steps, left to right): Edward Harris, board member of 9th district; Miss Anzella Hensel, daughter of Thomas A. Hensel; George Hastline, secretary of 9th district; Forest Hensel, son of Thomas A. Hensel; Victor Weidler; Miss Morris, private secretary to Mr. Mitchell.
On the 6 September 1905, the Harrisburg Telegraph announced that John Mitchell planned to visit the Lykens Valley:
John Mitchell will be the guest of the miners of Dauphin County some time this month and he will be given such a reception as his loyalty to the men deserves. Mr. Mitchell has proved himself a remarkable leader and what he has accomplished for the miners is certain to give him a warm place in their hearts for years to come. He is devoted to the interests of the underground workers and through his manly appeals to the public has won popular sympathy for the men who delve in the bowels of the earth.
Mr. Mitchell is believed to be opposed to a strike in the anthracite region, and his knowledge of conditions is such that what he may advise will have great weight with the members of the union. In view of the extensive preparations of the railroad and coal companies to resist a strike it would seem to be a good time for care in any movement which might result in a break between the mine workers and their employees.
On 21 September 1905, the Harrisburg Daily Independent gave a description of Mitchell’s visit to Lykens and noted his belief that the miners in the Lykens Valley were a “higher grade” because there were “so few foreigners.”
Miners’ Leader Receives Ovation at Lykens.
Lykens, 21 September 1905 — The tour of John Mitchell, president of the United Mine Workers of America, through the lower anthracite coal territory of this state has been a continuous ovation. He made at least fifty addresses at meetings of miners, and his constant theme has been, “Join the union, demand an eight-hour day and the recognition of the union.”
This week, Mr. Mitchell devoted to the Lykens Valley coal region, where he found a mining element of a higher grade than in other sections, because there are so few foreigners. He came here Monday night, and, although an attempt was made to keep his arrival secret, he was met by a crowd of more than a thousand and with music and colored lights….
He spent Tuesday in Tremont and came here yesterday morning. The town made his visit a holiday, every building was decorated and there were fifty arches bearing words of welcome. A large parade, at the head of which rode Mitchell, marched through the streets and then assembled at Gratz Park, where an address was made by the miners’ leader, who again preached “Join the union, demand an eight hour day and recognition of the union.
The Elizabethville Echo reported on 28 September 1905:
President John Mitchell, who received such an enthusiastic greeting at Lykens and Williamstown last week, from the United Mine Workers, and their friends, was the guest of the popular Clothier T. A. Hensel. The appearance of Mr. Mitchell in this section of the coal regions has again strengthened the Union Cause, as large numbers of the miners, have since been reinstated at Lykens, Williamstown, and Tower City.
The Harrisburg Telegraph of 27 September 1905 reported on Mitchell’s visit to Loyalton:
John Mitchell, the president of the United Mine Workers of America, passed through this place [Loyalton] on Sunday about 8 p.m. He stopped and shook hands with every person present.
Williamstown also welcomed John Mitchell, according to a brief note that appeared in the Harrisburg Telegraph of 28 September 1905.
John Mitchell passed through town [Williamstown] Friday in the decorated car furnished him by the trolley company to Tower City.
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Image and story contributed by Brian S. Miller. News articles are from Newspapers.com.
It was interesting to see a photo of Anzella Hensel. Her grandmother was Anzella Johnson Coles, wife of Samuel B. Coles. She married Harrison A. Brown on June 9, 1908 and they have a son Thomas Hensel Brown. She is buried in the IOOF Cemetery in Lykens, PA as Zella Brown with her husband and son. My great grandmother, Anzella Keiser Dodd was named after her grandmother.