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Albert Morris 21
Q: W t
about the sheriff
A: I r d r them saying abut the sheriff and this is the truth. The
sheriff said, "All I wmt is four years of being sheriff in Macoupin
County," he said. Then he had enaugh mne for the rest of his days.
(laughs) You how, there ms a lot of kic Lack.
Q: What was his name, do you r d r
A: Henry was one I can remaher.
Q: Yes.
A: Yes. I think he ws £ran Virden at that time. Oh, there was wre
because about every fau: years they =re changing because they'd only be
in there four years. I don't r d r all the ones during that th.
Q: I mi&t be wrong, but was Frank Fries a sheriff
A: Frank Fries was one of than, correct, yes. He was also in coal
mining, you know. He had a brother that was a form there. In fact,
he was the rule boss &at they called there at that time at Sawyemille
mine. That was his brother then, kankie Fries ws. He was the sheriff
and he ws alwys in politics. Yes, he ms.
Q: MS he there during the Capone days
A: Yes. He was right there. Ihat was right. That s where he . . .
Q: Was he on the take or was he against than, do you how
A: Jk was on the take with them. (laughs)
Q: Yes.
A: At that time, you had to be with those boys. If you wren't on the
Yau ddn't last long, I'll tell you. (laughs)
Q: Okay. All right, tell rn about the early days with the Progressives,
haw they got started.
A: MU, it was during that first strike. I was telling you about "Save
the Union". There WAS saolethbg going on, so they just figured there was
same way. 'Ihey *re against John L. Lmis , he had a lot of hench. In
other words, they figured John L. Lewis just like A1 Capone, you know. 1
mean, they figured he was the sane way, and then they ere wanting to
make their OW union. That's where it all started.
Q: Yes.
A: Because frcan John L. Lewis, once he was president, they never did
elect anybody else. Everytb they had an election, he ms elected, to
me it ms just like dictatorshi 'Ihat' s h t they said. 'Ihey
P
couldn't
get nobody else in there. That s what caused the Progressives to organize,
you see.