Christopher Evans, Union Builder

Side A: Christopher Evans was a celebrated district, state, and national union builder. Born in England in 1841, he began coal mining as a young boy. Evans immigrated to Pennsylvania around 1869-1870. By 1874 he was president of his local mining union. Evans moved to New Straitsville between 1875-1877, where he organized union meetings in Robinson’s Cave. During the miners’ strike of 1884-1885, Evans served as president of the Hocking Valley District of Ohio and its Relief Committee. After area mines were set on fire, miners were forced to abandon New Straitsville when its mines closed forever. Evans helped organize the United Mine Workers of America in 1890 and later authored a two-volume history of the movement. He remained in union leadership until retiring in 1908. Christopher Evans died in 1924 and is buried in New Straitsville Joint Cemetery. Side B: same