Muhlenberg County Kentucky
Mining
Monument to Everett Green
Unveiling of monument to be tribute to slain miner
Monument of Everett Green, who was killed in January, 1935, to be unveiled at Unity.
On Friday, April 1, when coal miners throughout the United States observe Labor Day - the recognition of the 8-hour day - miners of District No. 23, United Mine Workers of America, will pay tribute to one of their fallen members, Everett Green, who was accidently killed on the night of January 11, 1936, when a monument, erected in his honor, will be unveiled at Unity Cemetery. Ed J. Morgan, president of District 23, as well as other union officials and laymen, will take part in the ceremonies.
Green, a 23-year-old Graham coal miner, was killed on Sunday morning, January 11, 1936, coming to his death, according to the coroner's verdict, from a pistol wound inflicted by an unknown person.
On the morning of the tragedy, Green's body was taken to the home of a brother-in-law, Wendell Shanks, at Graham about 2:30 o'clock in an automobile by four men. Shanks was told that Green was dead. At the coroner's inquest which followed, the coroner was unable to summon any witness who could throw a light on the death of Green, or to learn the identity of any of the men delivering the body.
Believed shot by one of own party.
Green was shot through the back of his head, and it was believed, killed accidentally, being shot by one of his own party. Shanks was told by one of the four men, according to testimoney at the inquest, that Green was killed at Holt Mine.
A few hours before the death of Green was reported, striking coal miners, it is alleged, advanced on the mine at Holt, where a spotlight had been placed on the tipple, riffling it with bullets. The pit, according to reports at the time, was scheduled to resume operation the following Monday morning on open shop basis, after having been closed since September 22, 1935, on account on wage, hour and working condition controversies.
Green was recognized as a loyal member of the United Mine Workers of America and on the day following the accident, as peace and quietness reigned in the mining communities, miners from every local union in the district attended the funeral of young Green. On April 1, over two years after his death, the coal miners will pay another tribute to one of their fallen members, when ceremonies and the unveiling of the monument at the head of his grave takes place at Unity Cemetery, a short distance from Graham.
Source: “Unveiling of monument to be tribute to slain miner.” The Times-Argus [Central City, KY], 25 Mar 1938, p.1.
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Monument in memory of coal miner unveiled Apr. 1
Memorial of Everett Green, slain in January, 1936, erected by U.M.W.A. members.
Members of District 23, United Mine Workers of American, met at the Unity Baptist Church last Friday, April 1, for unveiling of a monument erected in the memory of Everett Green, who lost his life during the strike of 1935-36. Green was a member of Local Union No. 2613, Graham, and was killed on Sunday morning, January 16, 1936, coming to his death by a pistol wound inflicted by an unknown person.
John Grigsby acted as chairman of the unveiling, the ceremonies opening at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The principal address was delivered by Ed. J. Morgan, president of District 23, United Mine Workers of America, on “What It Has Cost Organized Labor to Attain Their Achievements Up To the Present Time.” Rev. John Grady, in a dedicatory address, spoke from the subject of “Greater Love Hath No Man than This, That a Man Lay Down His Life for His Friends.”
Other officials of District No. 23 attending were, Jess Lovelace, secretary-treasurer; James Steel, James Dunlap, and Arthur Chaney, field representatives, also two international representatives, Earl Suvers, District 12, of Illinois, and Mr. Bell, District 11, Indiana.
Over 2,000 Attend Ceremonies.
Between 2,000 and 2,500 miners attended the ceremonies, members of the U.M.W. of A. from Hopkins, Union, Christian, Webster, Ohio, and members from each local union in Muhlenberg county being present.
A double line was formed by members of the United Mine Workers of America from the church through the cemetery to the grave. Twelve girls, daughters of members of Local Union 2613, Graham, carried flowers, placing them on the grave. Behind the flower girls were the father and two brothers of Everett Green, then representatives of the United Mine Workers of America.
The monument was made possible through contributions of members of Local Unions of District No.23, being sponsored by John Grigsby. It was bought from C.D. Bishop of Central City.
The United Mine Workers of American officials extended an invitation to the public, to visit the monument erected in honor of one of their members.
Source: “Monument in memory of coal miner unveiled Apr. 1.” The Times-Argus [Central City, KY], 8 Apr 1938, p.1.
Updated January 30, 2019