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The wider storyWhy Did a Posse Kill 19 Striking Miners at Lattimer?An analysis of the Lattimer massacre, examining the economic pressures on immigrant miners, the deployment of a sheriff's posse, and the legal aftermath that included the acquittal of mine superintendent Gomer Jones.Read the full history Key facts about the Lattimer massacre
| Event | Lattimer massacre kills 19 miners |
|---|---|
| Date | September 10, 1897 |
| Location | Lattimer, Pennsylvania |
| Key Figure | Gomer Jones |
| Source Detail | Congressional Record, Volume 143 Issue 119 |
| Confirmed Outcome | Acquittal of mine superintendent Gomer Jones |
Timeline: the road to Lattimer and its aftermath
- 1870 32,000 miners in Northeast Pennsylvania had died since this year due to poor mine safety
- August 25, 1897 A second strike began among anthracite coal miners
- September 10, 1897 A Luzerne County sheriff posse killed at least 19 unarmed striking immigrant miners at the Lattimer mine
- September 10, 1897 At least 36 miners were wounded during the attack by the posse
- September 10, 1897 The trial following the massacre ended in an acquittal of mine superintendent Gomer Jones
- September 10, 1997 The Congressional Record published a statement marking the 100th anniversary of the Lattimer Mine Disaster
First Reports From the Scene
The Congressional Record entry from 1997 specifies that 400 men began a peaceful march and demonstration on the day of the attack. This group sought better wages, better working conditions, and the ability to organize. The record notes that a posse of armed citizens, led by the local sheriff, attacked the miners. The source confirms the violence left at least 19 men dead and countless others injured, but it does not provide individual witness accounts or specific details about the sequence of shots fired.
The Congressional Record of September 10, 1997 states that at least 36 miners were wounded during the Lattimer incident and describes how coal companies controlled miners' housing, stores, and medical care.
Rescue, Response, and Fallout
The immediate aftermath of Lattimer began as soon as events on September 10, 1897 were over. The trial following the massacre ended in an acquittal of mine superintendent Gomer Jones. This legal outcome brought national attention to workers rights and the plight of men who toiled under abysmal conditions in the nation's coal mines.
The event remains a documented milestone in the history of the United Mine Workers, anchored by the specific date of September 10, 1897, and the location near Hazleton, Pennsylvania.
Analysis: Lattimer massacre
What the evidence supports and leaves unresolved
What the record supports
- Judicial Outcome Clarity: The Congressional Record explicitly notes the acquittal of mine superintendent Gomer Jones, providing a concrete endpoint to the legal proceedings.
Limits and unresolved questions
Evidence Map: How We Checked the Central Claim
What the sources verify and how they were used
This comparison separates the event page selected for the account from the independently verified page used to corroborate it.
Central claim checked: Lattimer massacre: A sheriff's posse kills 19 unarmed striking immigrant miners in Lattimer, Pennsylvania, United States.
| Direct source | Verification role | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Lattimer massacre · Wikipedia Accessed 2026-09-10 | Selected event record | Supports the central claim shown above. |
| Congressional Record, Volume 143 Issue 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997) · govinfo.gov Accessed 2026-09-09 | Independent corroboration | Supports the central claim shown above. |
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What happened in the Lattimer massacre?
The recorded event date is September 10, 1897.
Key figures included Gomer Jones.
The Congressional Record explicitly notes the acquittal of mine superintendent Gomer Jones, providing a concrete endpoint to the legal proceedings.