The Cutters Cut Ties - March 14, 1896

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When cutters and trimmers decide to be quitters.


Now that I have finished the stories on Frank and Charles, I'm posting a series of articles about the cutter and trimmer strike in the spring of 1896. They highlight the role Bohemians played in the garment industry labor movement. By this time, the Vokouns have been in Chicago for twenty years. Josepha has just died. Jan is probably retired or on the verge. Meanwhile, all of the children are married and/or working. As I have mentioned previously, Frank and Charles operate tailor shops out of their homes. Additionally the oldest grandchild (Frank's son), Frank James, is 18 and working as a cutter but still a few years from marrying Bertha Vanderbiest. His sister, Anna, is 12 years old but will start working as a "factory girl" by 1900, presumably making clothing, and will marry another cutter, James Placek, a four years later. Rudolph's wife, Lydia Vokoun and her sister, Anna Maruska, have both worked in tailor shops. Note that the pickets and assemblies mentioned are often occurring on or near 18th street in the heart of the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Charles' home was on 18th Street and Frank's home on Throop less than half a block from 18th. There is can't be much doubt that what occurred in March and April that year had impact on the Vokoun households.

I know that a series of newspaper articles probably are not in everyone's interest but one of my goals with the blog is to document the life and times of the Vokoun family in Chicago. I think the journalists of the day do better justice to the environment than I could. 

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