According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s website, “Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.  It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” (www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.html) Controversy surrounds the question of who first proposed such a holiday but it is a fact that the first Labor Day celebrated in the United States was on September 5, 1882 in New York City.  Slowly gaining recognition, the first law for a Labor…

Born May 20, 1861 to Robert Chappell and Fredonia Charlotte (Stephens) Mayes in Mayfield, Kentucky, William Harding Mayes attended Paducah District Methodist College at Milburn, Kentucky, Norton’s English and Classical School at Union City, Tennessee and Vanderbilt University where he earned his law degree.  His legal studies completed he was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1881 and practiced in Mayfield.  Admitted to the Texas Bar in 1882 he practiced in Brownwood, Texas until 1886.   From 1882 to 1883, he was Brown County’s county attorney.  He was editor and publisher of the Brownwood Bulletin from 1887 to 1914.  He served…