By: Emily CruseBy: Emily Cruse

Life in a Coal Camp would not be Life in a Coal Camp would not be referred to as the “Good ‘ol Days!referred to as the “Good ‘ol Days!

The men depended on their job in every single part The men depended on their job in every single part of life. The Coal Camps were Communities of life. The Coal Camps were Communities owned by the Coal Company.owned by the Coal Company.

•They lived in the coal camp; therefore, they had to pay the coal company rent.

•They bought their groceries from the coal owners at the company Store. They were paid in script; therefore, it was only good at the over priced company store.

•Men worked all day in the mines, while the women worked hard to keep the home, family, and possible animals taken care of.

•The Miners had to purchase their own tools, shoes, gloves and clothing

Life in the Coal CampLife in the Coal Camp

These communities were created by coal companies so that workers could live near the mines. The coal companies built and owned everything, including schools, churches, stores, theaters, and residential structures. Several were found around the state. The most familiar camps were located in Logan County.

Miners were also denied their proper pay Miners were also denied their proper pay through a system known as cribbing. Workers through a system known as cribbing. Workers were paid based on tons of coal mined. Each car were paid based on tons of coal mined. Each car brought from the mines supposedly held a brought from the mines supposedly held a specific amount of coal, such as 2,000 pounds. specific amount of coal, such as 2,000 pounds. However, cars were altered to hold more coal However, cars were altered to hold more coal than the specified amount, so miners would be than the specified amount, so miners would be paid for 2,000 pounds when they actually had paid for 2,000 pounds when they actually had brought in 2,500. In addition, workers were brought in 2,500. In addition, workers were docked pay for slate and rock mixed in with the docked pay for slate and rock mixed in with the coal. Since docking was a judgment on the part coal. Since docking was a judgment on the part of the checkweighman, miners were frequently of the checkweighman, miners were frequently cheated.cheated.

Between 1890 and 1912, West Virginia Between 1890 and 1912, West Virginia had a higher mine death rate than any had a higher mine death rate than any other state. West Virginia was the site of other state. West Virginia was the site of numerous deadly coal mining accidents, numerous deadly coal mining accidents, including the nation's worst coal disaster. including the nation's worst coal disaster. On December 6, 1907, an explosion at a On December 6, 1907, an explosion at a mine owned by the Fairmont Coal mine owned by the Fairmont Coal Company in Monongah, Marion County, Company in Monongah, Marion County, killed 361. killed 361.

In response to poor conditions and low In response to poor conditions and low wages in the late 1800s, workers in most wages in the late 1800s, workers in most industries developed unions industries developed unions

Attempts to form a union failed many times in West Virginia!

By 1912, the union had lost control of By 1912, the union had lost control of much of the Kanawha- New River much of the Kanawha- New River Coalfield. That year, UMWA miners on Coalfield. That year, UMWA miners on Paint Creek in Kanawha County Paint Creek in Kanawha County demanded wages equal to those of other demanded wages equal to those of other area mines. The operators rejected the area mines. The operators rejected the wage increase and miners walked off the wage increase and miners walked off the job on April 18, beginning one of the most job on April 18, beginning one of the most violent strikes in the nation's history. violent strikes in the nation's history.

Strike-to stop work in order to force an Strike-to stop work in order to force an employer to comply with demands employer to comply with demands

•Union-an association of workers banded together in the interests of its members UMWA-United Mine Workers Association

Following the union successes, coal Following the union successes, coal operators had formed the Kanawha operators had formed the Kanawha County Coal Operators Association in County Coal Operators Association in 1903, the first such organization in the 1903, the first such organization in the state. It hired private detectives from state. It hired private detectives from the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency in the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency in Bluefield as mine guards to harass Bluefield as mine guards to harass union organizers. Due to these threats, union organizers. Due to these threats, the UMWA discouraged organizers from the UMWA discouraged organizers from working in southern West Virginia. working in southern West Virginia.

Paint-Creek StrikePaint-Creek Strike

This was the Beginning of the great Coal This was the Beginning of the great Coal War in West Virginia.War in West Virginia.Those that participated in the strike were Those that participated in the strike were evicted from their homesevicted from their homes

Both sides committed violent acts, the most Both sides committed violent acts, the most notorious of which occurred on the night of notorious of which occurred on the night of February 7, 1913. An armored train, nicknamed February 7, 1913. An armored train, nicknamed the "Bull Moose Special," led by coal operator the "Bull Moose Special," led by coal operator Quin Morton and Kanawha County Sheriff Bonner Quin Morton and Kanawha County Sheriff Bonner Hill, rolled through a miners' tent colony at Holly Hill, rolled through a miners' tent colony at Holly Grove on Paint Creek. Mine guards opened fire Grove on Paint Creek. Mine guards opened fire from the train, killing striker Cesco Estep. After from the train, killing striker Cesco Estep. After the incident, Morton supposedly wanted to "go the incident, Morton supposedly wanted to "go back and give them another round." Hill and back and give them another round." Hill and others talked him out of it. In retaliation, miners others talked him out of it. In retaliation, miners attacked a mine guard encampment at Mucklow, attacked a mine guard encampment at Mucklow, present Gallagher. In a battle which lasted present Gallagher. In a battle which lasted several hours, at least sixteen people died, several hours, at least sixteen people died, mostly mine guards.mostly mine guards.

Mary Harris Jones was known as the Mary Harris Jones was known as the "white-haired 'Mother' Jones" of the labor "white-haired 'Mother' Jones" of the labor movement, from 1880 through the early movement, from 1880 through the early 1920s. Jones is best known for her 1920s. Jones is best known for her struggles to win decent living and working struggles to win decent living and working conditions for the United Mine Workers, and conditions for the United Mine Workers, and her participation in the her participation in the Haymarket Day demonstrationHaymarket Day demonstration for the eight- for the eight-hour day movement in Chicago in 1886. hour day movement in Chicago in 1886.

Cont…Mother JonesCont…Mother JonesJones received national attention during the Paint Creek-Jones received national attention during the Paint Creek-Cabin Creek strike in Cabin Creek strike in West VirginiaWest Virginia during 1912-1913, during 1912-1913, due to the publicity of frequent violence there. West due to the publicity of frequent violence there. West Virginia was known for having the highest mine mortality Virginia was known for having the highest mine mortality rate in the country between 1890 and 1912. On rate in the country between 1890 and 1912. On September 21, 1912, Jones led a march with coal September 21, 1912, Jones led a march with coal miners' children, and on February 12 she was arrested miners' children, and on February 12 she was arrested while protesting the conditions in the strike area. She while protesting the conditions in the strike area. She was arrested and convicted in a military court of was arrested and convicted in a military court of conspiring to commit murder, and sentenced to 20 years conspiring to commit murder, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. She was at least 68 years old and suffered in prison. She was at least 68 years old and suffered from pneumonia. However, newly elected Governor from pneumonia. However, newly elected Governor Henry D. Hatfield pardoned her.Henry D. Hatfield pardoned her.

On March 4, Henry D. Hatfield was sworn in as governor. Hatfield, a On March 4, Henry D. Hatfield was sworn in as governor. Hatfield, a physician, personally examined Jones, but kept her under house physician, personally examined Jones, but kept her under house arrest for over two months. During this same period, he released arrest for over two months. During this same period, he released over thirty other individuals who had been arrested under martial over thirty other individuals who had been arrested under martial law. On April 14, Hatfield issued a series of terms for settlement of law. On April 14, Hatfield issued a series of terms for settlement of the strike, including a nine-hour work day (already in effect the strike, including a nine-hour work day (already in effect elsewhere in the state), the right to shop in stores other than those elsewhere in the state), the right to shop in stores other than those owned by the company, the right to elect union check weighmen, owned by the company, the right to elect union check weighmen, and the elimination of discrimination against union miners. On April and the elimination of discrimination against union miners. On April 25, he ordered striking miners to accept his terms or face 25, he ordered striking miners to accept his terms or face deportation from the state. Paint Creek miners accepted the deportation from the state. Paint Creek miners accepted the contract while those on Cabin Creek remained on strike. The contract while those on Cabin Creek remained on strike. The settlement failed to answer the two primary grievances: the right to settlement failed to answer the two primary grievances: the right to organize and the removal of mine guards. After additional violence organize and the removal of mine guards. After additional violence on Cabin Creek, that strike was settled toward the end of July. The on Cabin Creek, that strike was settled toward the end of July. The only gain was the removal of Baldwin- Felts detectives as mine only gain was the removal of Baldwin- Felts detectives as mine guards from both Paint and Cabin creeks.guards from both Paint and Cabin creeks.

The Matewan Massacre The Matewan Massacre A few months later, operators lowered wages in the A few months later, operators lowered wages in the southern coalfields. To compound problems, the U.S. southern coalfields. To compound problems, the U.S. Coal Commission granted a wage increase to union Coal Commission granted a wage increase to union miners, which excluded those in southwestern West miners, which excluded those in southwestern West Virginia. Non-union miners in Mingo County went on Virginia. Non-union miners in Mingo County went on strike in the spring of 1920 and called for assistance strike in the spring of 1920 and called for assistance from the District 17 office in Charleston. On May 6, Fred from the District 17 office in Charleston. On May 6, Fred Mooney and Bill Blizzard, one of the leaders of the 1912-Mooney and Bill Blizzard, one of the leaders of the 1912-13 strike, spoke to around 3,000 miners at Matewan. 13 strike, spoke to around 3,000 miners at Matewan. Over the next two weeks, about half that number joined Over the next two weeks, about half that number joined the UMWA. On May 19, twelve Baldwin-Felts detectives the UMWA. On May 19, twelve Baldwin-Felts detectives arrived in Matewan. Families of miners who had joined arrived in Matewan. Families of miners who had joined the union were evicted from their company-owned the union were evicted from their company-owned houses. The town's chief of police, Sid Hatfield, houses. The town's chief of police, Sid Hatfield, encouraged Matewan residents to arm themselves. encouraged Matewan residents to arm themselves.

Sid HatfieldSid Hatfield

As a result of the Matewan Massacre, As a result of the Matewan Massacre, Hatfield had become a hero to many of the Hatfield had become a hero to many of the miners. On August 7, a crowd varyingly miners. On August 7, a crowd varyingly estimated from 700 to 5,000 gathered on estimated from 700 to 5,000 gathered on the capitol grounds in Charleston to the capitol grounds in Charleston to protest the killing. Among others, UMWA's protest the killing. Among others, UMWA's leaders Frank Keeney and Bill Blizzard leaders Frank Keeney and Bill Blizzard urged the miners to fight. Over the next urged the miners to fight. Over the next two weeks, Keeney travelled around the two weeks, Keeney travelled around the state, calling for a march on Logan. state, calling for a march on Logan.

On August 24, the march began as approximately 5,000 On August 24, the march began as approximately 5,000 men crossed Lens Creek Mountain. The miners wore red men crossed Lens Creek Mountain. The miners wore red bandanas, which earned them the nickname, "red necks." bandanas, which earned them the nickname, "red necks." In Logan County, Don Chafin mobilized an army of deputies, In Logan County, Don Chafin mobilized an army of deputies, mine guards, store clerks, and state police. Meanwhile, mine guards, store clerks, and state police. Meanwhile, after a request by Governor Morgan for federal troops, after a request by Governor Morgan for federal troops, President Harding dispatched World War I hero Henry President Harding dispatched World War I hero Henry Bandholtz to Charleston to survey the situation. On the Bandholtz to Charleston to survey the situation. On the 26th, Bandholtz and the governor met with Keeney and 26th, Bandholtz and the governor met with Keeney and Mooney and explained that if the march continued, the Mooney and explained that if the march continued, the miners and UMWA leaders could be charged with treason. miners and UMWA leaders could be charged with treason. That afternoon, Keeney met a majority of the miners at a That afternoon, Keeney met a majority of the miners at a ballfield in Madison and instructed them to turn back. As a ballfield in Madison and instructed them to turn back. As a result, some of the miners ended their march. However, result, some of the miners ended their march. However, two factors led many to continue. First, special trains two factors led many to continue. First, special trains promised by Keeney to transport the miners back to promised by Keeney to transport the miners back to Kanawha County were late in arriving. Second, the state Kanawha County were late in arriving. Second, the state police raided a group of miners at Sharples on the night of police raided a group of miners at Sharples on the night of the 27th, killing two. In response, many miners began the 27th, killing two. In response, many miners began marching toward Sharples, just across the Logan County marching toward Sharples, just across the Logan County line.line.

September 1September 1

President Harding President Harding finally sent federal finally sent federal troops from Fort troops from Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Thomas, Kentucky.

Those who surrendered were placed on trains Those who surrendered were placed on trains and sent home. However, those perceived as and sent home. However, those perceived as leaders were to be held accountable for the leaders were to be held accountable for the actions of all the miners. Special grand juries actions of all the miners. Special grand juries handed down 1,217 indictments, including 325 handed down 1,217 indictments, including 325 for murder and 24 for treason against the state. for murder and 24 for treason against the state. The only treason conviction was against Walter The only treason conviction was against Walter Allen, who skipped bail and was never captured. Allen, who skipped bail and was never captured. The most prominent treason trial was that of Bill The most prominent treason trial was that of Bill Blizzard, considered by authorities to be the Blizzard, considered by authorities to be the "general" of the miners' army. In "general" of the miners' army. In

Blair Mountain stands as a powerful symbol for Blair Mountain stands as a powerful symbol for workers to this day. The miners who participated workers to this day. The miners who participated vowed never to discuss the details of the march vowed never to discuss the details of the march to protect themselves from the authorities. For to protect themselves from the authorities. For many years, the story of the march was many years, the story of the march was communicated by word of mouth as an communicated by word of mouth as an inspiration to union activists. It serves as a vivid inspiration to union activists. It serves as a vivid reminder of the deadly violence so often reminder of the deadly violence so often associated with labor-management disputes. associated with labor-management disputes. The mine wars also demonstrate the inability of The mine wars also demonstrate the inability of the state and federal governments to defuse the the state and federal governments to defuse the situations short of armed intervention.situations short of armed intervention.

Safety ImprovementsSafety Improvements Mine safety hatsMine safety hats Advanced technologyAdvanced technology Reflective WearReflective Wear Better communicationBetter communication Respirators Respirators Mine curtainsMine curtains Mine Safety and EMT classesMine Safety and EMT classes Mine RescueMine Rescue

Though there have been many Though there have been many improvements……improvements……

Coal mining is still a very dangerous jobCoal mining is still a very dangerous job

http://www.wvminesafety.org/STATS.HTMhttp://www.wvminesafety.org/STATS.HTMhttp://www.wvculture.org/hiStory/http://www.wvculture.org/hiStory/minewars.html All information about mine minewars.html All information about mine Wars came from this site.Wars came from this site.http://greatwomen.org/women.php?http://greatwomen.org/women.php?action=viewone&id=89 Mother Jonesaction=viewone&id=89 Mother Jones