Bucket of Blood, the Ragman's War

by R.S. Sukle

"Bucket of Blood" is what a coal town was called when deaths occurred to establish a worker's union. During the 1927-1928 strike in the western Pennsylvania coalfields, Russellton became known as such a place. In an effort to break the strike, special Coal and Iron police were brought into the area to evict the mine families from their company houses. These men imposed unconstitutional restrictions to harass the people and keep out relief workers and organizers. It was a time of brutal beatings, rape, and murder. Without union representation the workers were constantly exploited. Because the company used many weapons to keep them enslaved, the miners' families were forced to live in abject poverty. The miner had only one weapon, the strike. Bucket of The Ragman's War chronicles the depravation and indignities suffered by the families in the Russellton camps during the strike. Author R.S. Suckle explores the glimmers of hope appearing through relief efforts by the sons of a local farmer who become union activists. Ragman, a mine mechanic, walks out with the other men. Against his intentions, he is drawn into the struggle by his brothers, and the abuse that is heaped on his family by the Coal and Iron Police. The killing of a state Coal and Iron policeman in Russellton is a local legend. The killer was never identified. This story has been passed down in certain families, each with their own version. Each claims the killer as a relative. Bucket of Blood is one of those stories.

268 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 2003

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. The author of this book actually interviewed my grandfather. It is about the hard life and times of the coal miners during the strike.

[Colleen Mertens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an interesting introduction to some local history as well as a story of how big business tries to break unions and the spirit of its employees. Real violence happened to get us to the advantages we have today but we still haven't learned as much as we should have from our past. Another book that should be read by people today because it is still relevant to our current lives.

[Julie Mickens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work of historical fiction concerns the coal wars of the 1900s-30s, and is set, specifically, in Western Pennsylvania. The coal wars were labor struggles in USA mining regions that were sometimes as heated, dangerous and ungoverned as guerrilla vs. paramilitary skirmishes in so-called third world countries today. (Remember, before the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, labor unions had no formal right to exist, let alone government protection.) In my opinion, this is one of the most overlooked periods of American history, rich in significance and drama.

Sukle's novel, her first I think, has some weaknesses and on craft alone might merit fewer stars. However, I bumped it to 4 stars because of the author's personal connection to this place and time, the vividness of her raw material, and the importance of this neglected history. I once met Sukle and interviewed her, and she is a delightful person with a passion for her subject.

[[ Side note: Since I don't have another place to put/share this for now, here is a contemporary dispatch from the 1933 mineworkers strike in Southwest Pennsylvania.
http://newdeal.feri.org/nation/na3317... ]]

[Charles Dull · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting Facts but the author tried too hard to weave a story rather than tell a story