The District Ledger, 1908-1919
District 18 organized and negotiated collective agreements in the coalfields of BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan and had a membership of 6,000. The District Ledger, the newspaper of United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) District 18 was founded by Frank Sherman, first President, in 1907 and published in Fernie, BC. It carried the label of the Typographical Union, indicating it was printed by union members. It continued to publish long after the death of Sherman in 1909.
Visit the District Ledger digital archive (external link).
UMWA District 18’s militancy was inspired by the dangerous working conditions of coal mining and the anti-union sentiment of the Crow’s Nest Pass Coal Company. The newspaper reflected the union’s left-wing political values, but also was a source of general news and information for the community.
Newspaper content includes:
● Bargaining and union updates
● City of Fernie news
● Editorials
● Letters to the Editor
● Advertising
● Political news
● Social items
● Financial news
● International topics
● Sports reports
This collection of 423 issues of The District Ledger covers the period 1908 to 1919. It is part of the BC Historical Newspapers Collection held at the University of British Columbia. Issues can be searched by date, keywords and names.