Herrin Massacre of 1922

Discover the gripping account of the Herrin Massacre of 1922, a pivotal moment in American labor history, penned by Greg Bailey. Published by McFarland & Co Inc in 2020, this compelling paperback spans 178 pages, diving deep into the turmoil that engulfed the coal mining town of Herrin, Illinois.

As a coal miner strike swept across the United States, tensions escalated in this heavily-unionized community when mine owners hired non-union workers to undermine the strike. The resulting violent clashes reveal the harsh realities that the coal industry sought to suppress and that the town of Herrin wishes to forget.

Bailey’s insightful narrative not only recounts the events of that fateful year but also sheds light on the broader implications for labor rights and union struggles. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in labor history, social justice, or the complexities of the American coal industry.