No story concerning Jack would be complete without reference to his influence in the formation of unions for shearers and in the political arena. He had experienced first hand the conditions that existed in the shearing industry at that time. The struggle by shearers for better conditions often evoked bitter arguments, culminating in the Shearer’s Strikes of 1891 and of 1894.  

 

 

    Although Jack believed in a better deal for the shearers, he was no radical and thought things should be done in a proper manner. He became involved 

     in Union affairs from at least December, 1887. On 12^th January, 1890 he seconded a motion for amalgamation of the Blackall Shearer’s Union with 

  the Queensland Shearer’s Union. He was a member of the Queensland Shearer’s Union committee in 1891 that decided on amalgamation with  

 the Queensland   Labourer’s Union and subsequently became a member of that Union. Jack Howe also was a loyal member of the Labour Party 

 in Queensland from its  foundation as the ‘Union Party’ or to use correct terms, the Australian Labour Federation (ALF) during the 1891 Shearer’s Strike 

  at Barcaldine.   

 

    In 1909, Jack was President of the Worker’s Political Organisation in Blackall and was friends with a young lawyer, Thomas Joseph Ryan who dealt with cases for the Union in the Western areas. Jack invited him to stand as candidate in the plebiscite for the position of member for Barcoo. In October, 1909, T.J. Ryan became the member for Barcoo but it was in the 1915 election that Labor was swept to power by a large majority with T.J. Ryan as Premier of Queensland. 

 

 

 

Jack Howe (Left) with T.J. Ryan (centre). 

Note Jack's shearing medals on his chest. 

    

 

 Whenever there was an election, Jack and Victoria helped T.J. Ryan along a little at the polls by taking the elderly to and from the polling booths in a ‘Sociable’ which was horse drawn transport used by local hotels  to drive guests to and from the railway station. Jack took the men and Victoria the ladies. Of course, there was free beer after voting at the Universal. 

 

    Unfortunately, by 1919 Jack’s health had failed. He sold the Universal and retired to ‘Sumnervale’. He was given the biggest send-off in the history of the town and besides the gifts from many friends, the Worker’s Party Organisation presented him with a gold shield inscribed with a citation in appreciation of his service.  

The gold shield awarded to Jack. The face is inscribed with the intiials R.J.H.  ( a mistake as his were J.R.H.)  and the reverse is engraved with:  Presented to R.J.Howe from Members of the BLACKALL W.P.O. For Services Rendered To the Labor Movement April 1918.

   

  Jack was finally admitted to the Blackall hospital where he passed away on 21^st July, 1920, some eleven days after his fifty - ninth birthday. His funeral was a big affair with the service held at the Roman Catholic Church which Jack had helped raise the funds to build in 1892. Jack’s coffin was carried in an open wagonette hearse drawn by two horses. The horses were draped in body length covers of black material - it was Blackall’s standard hearse at the time. He was buried in the Blackall cemetery amid tributes which poured in from afar. Amongst them was a telegram from T.J.Ryan addressed to Victoria. It reads: 

‘I have lost a true and trusted friend and Labor has lost a champion.’ 

 

 

 

Jack's grave in the Blackall Cemetery.  

His wife, Victoria, was also buried there 23 years later.  

The inscritpion reads: 

In loving memory of my dear husband and father 

John R. Howe aged 59 years. Also our dear mother Victoria Howe.  

18th December, 1943. 

©Barry Muir 2007