"We have Croatians, Austrians, Hungarians, Italians from northern Italy, Poles, and other nationalities working for us, and they are industrious, loyal men; but they do not know our language or our customs, our laws, nor our ideals. They have been influenced by Western Federation of Miners' organizers and hired men who have been here in some cases for years. Constant dropping will wear a stone."
James MacNaughton, also known as "Big Jim", "the King of Houghton County" or "the Czar of the Copper Country" (b. March 4, 1864) was the third and the last known President and General Manager of the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company during the great Copper Country Strike of 1913–1914.
In addition to the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company, MacNaughton was also the General Manager of the Ahmeek Mining Company, Allouez Mining Company, North Kearsarge Mine, South Kearsarge Mine, Tamarack Mining Company, Osceola Consolidated Copper Company, St. Louis Copper Company, Laurium Mining Company, La Salle Copper Company, Isle Royale Copper Company, Superior Copper Company, and the Centennial Copper Mining Company [1].
MacNaughton also held a position as the Chairman of the Houghton County Board of Supervisors [2].
James McNaughton, vowed he would teach the striking miners to eat potato parings.
History
Early life
Contribution to the Rise of the Strike
Response and actions
Founding the Citizens' Alliance
Strike Management
Italian hall disaster
Appearing before Congress
Aftermath
MacNaughton Cup
See main article: MacNaughton Cup
Resignation
Career
Calumet and Hecla Mining Company
Presidency
Predecessor: Alexander Agassiz? Actually Agassiz's son Rodolphe was president of the company after his father died. James MacNaughton was the General Manager for some years before he ultimately was named President.
Successor:
As Vice President
Predecessor:
Successor:
As General Manager
Predecessor:
Successor:
As Superintendent
Predecessor:
Successor:
Selected Quoatations
- "Grass will grow in the streets before C&H recognizes the union. The union must be killed at all cost."
- "We have Croatians, Austrians, Hungarians, Italians from northern Italy, Poles, and other nationalities working for us, and they are industrious, loyal men; but they do not know our language or our customs, our laws, nor our ideals. They have been influenced by Western Federation of Miners' organizers and hired men who have been here in some cases for years. Constant dropping will wear a stone."
- James MacNaughton's views as they appeared in the Evening Copper Journal on August 11, 1913; three days prior to the Seeberville affair.
Gallery
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Sources
- Michigan Copper District Strike by the United States Department of Labor, Walter B. Palmer, John B. Densmore, John A. Moffitt, and Royal Meeker.
- Annie Clemenc and the Great Keweenaw Copper Strike by Lyndon Comstock.
