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Description
Monument to the Virden Mine Battle of 1898, in the town square of Virden Illinois, September 2016.

Virden Illinois was on the original alignment of Route 66 and was bypassed by the newer route in 1930.

On first reading an account of the Battle of Virden, there seems to be a significant racist element, but a little deeper research brings to light three important facts.

(1) There were also African-Americans among the striking miners.
(2) The central issues were labor conditions and the right to unionize.
(3) The primary villains in this labor unrest were the mine owners and operators.

Description
Monument to the Virden Mine Battle of 1898, in the town square of Virden Illinois, September 2016.

Virden Illinois was on the original alignment of Route 66 and was bypassed by the newer route in 1930.

On first reading an account of the Battle of Virden, there seems to be a significant racist element, but a little deeper research brings to light three important facts.

(1) There were also African-Americans among the striking miners.
(2) The central issues were labor conditions and the right to unionize.
(3) The primary villains in this labor unrest were the mine owners and operators.