The Butte Irish: Class and Ethnicity in an American Mining Town, 1875-1925

Statue of Liberty -- Ellis Island Centennial Series

by David M. Emmons

In this pioneering study, David Emmons tells the story of Butte's large and assertive population of Irish immigrants. He traces their backgrounds in Ireland, the building  of an ethnic community in Butte, the nature and hazards of their work in the copper mines, and the complex interplay between Irish nationalism and worker consciousness. From a treasure trove of "Irish stuff," the reports, minutes, and correspondence of the major Irish-American organizations in Butte, Emmons shows how the stalwart supporters of the RELA and the Ancient Order of Hiberians marched and drilled for Irish freedom---and how, as they ran the town, the miners' union, and the largest mining companies, they used this tradition of ethnic cooperation to ensure safe and steady work, Irish mines taking care of Irish miners. Butte was new, overwhelmingly Irish, and extraordinarily dangerous---the ideal place to test the seam between class and ethnicity.
 

Genres: Ireland

464 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1989

About the author

Professor (Emeritus) in the History Department of the University of Montana.

Reviews

[C Dole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave it 1-Star; I stopped reading after the Introduction. I’m stunned and saddened that when speaking of the huge waves of Irish emigration to America, Ireland’s centuries of British hostile colonization and takeover was barely mentioned—briefly called “English treachery.” Irish starved because the British took the agricultural lands; taxed the Irish; took away their rights to vote and so much more; the British shipped foods grown/caught/raised in Ireland back to Britain; the Irish were left with rotten potatoes… I really wanted to learn about the Irish in Butte Montana, but not from a source that doesn’t understand what led to mass exile in Ireland—the British stealing lands and rights.

[John E · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a long and complicated read. For the non-specialist it can be a bit tough to get through the organizational acronyms and the avalanche of people's names. Even so it was worth the time and effort to understand the transition of an ethnic group that loved it's identity and culture. The interactions with the forces of the varieties of "Isms" and labor and Irish organizations was confusing to the reader and the historical participants of Butte.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved learning about how the Irish came to dominate the mines and town.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

During my cross country trip, we stopped for one night in Butte, MT. A very small, very sad town that once thrived with business and life. Despite its depressing state, I fell in love with this town. Brendan's family (Shannon/Mulcahy) immigrated there at the turn of the 20th century and a few family members live there still. My love of history led me to want to know more about this tiny town and its history, including the influence and presence the Shannon/Mulcahy family had in the town. Brendan and his Uncle both recommended this book to me (as well as the documentary Butte America - in which his great aunt is interviewed throughout). This book is filled with information about the Irish presence, the role and influence of the union, the lives of mining families, and more. The author includes a lot of back history and events that allows the reader to view Butte history and its significance from a broader perspective. It was a little dense and as a result it took me a while to get through. I was a little disappointed that the book is written as a series of essays. Although interesting and incredibly informative, I found it to be repetitive (which is common in books of essays). Overall it helped me understand a lot about the town, the people (including Brendan's ancestors), and the changing events that had once made and then ruined Butte as a thriving mining town. If you have the patience and the interest I do recommend this book.