In late august 1921, union miners and coal company supporters clashed near blair mountain, west virginia, in what has been called the largest. Excerpts from a 1921 book that lists all the coal mines in west. Two new books from west virginia university press highlight the trials and tribulations of coal mining before the union gave. December 6 is officially designated as miners day in the state of west virginia. Child coal miners with mules in gary, west virginia in 1908. The history of the 20th century conflict between coal companies and miners looks at the tumultuous fight on both sides of the lines. The conditions of the coal miners and their treatment by the mine owners and the gun thugs employed to keep them in their place with the support of the elected officials owned by the mine owners was as brutal as any chapter in american history. Nov 15, 2018 the year 1883 is an important year in west virginias coal history. A day in the life of a west virginia coal miner literary hub. This is not a race matter, this is a class matter, explains ronald lewis, professor emeritus of history at west virginia university and author of the book black coal miners. Coal was used to heat homes, generate cheap electricity, and produce steel. West virginias coal miners and their battle for freedom, norfolk and western. Bertha hill, scotts run, west virginia marion post wolcott, 1938. The map shows areas of active and historical coal mining in both underground and surface mines, with separate colors for auger and highwall mining.
Books about coal miners what should i read next register for free to build your own book lists. West virginia history celebrated labor historian james green tells the story of west virginia and coal like never before. West virginia mining american experience official site. The major rail lines were completed that year and production totaled nearly 3 million tons. Stinsons book of extracted information from the reports of mine inspectors. These 12 rare photos show west virginia s mining history like never before. West virginia history volume 53 west virginia division of. New york exhibition of the industry of all nations new york statenew york coal miners west virginia married. West virginia office of miners health safety and training. West virginia officials classed the pursglove mine as gassy, but miners believed the risk from methane was more severe in the pittsburgh seam beneath them because most of the major explosions in the area had occurred in the lower coal bed. The west virginia mine wars were a complicated, inspiring, and tragic series of events that occurred in southern west virginia in the first decades of the 20th century when coal miners and their supporters fought against unfair and often illegal working and living conditions enforced by their bosses with the tacit support of many government officials. By 1850, approximately half of kanawha countys slaves worked in the salt industrymany mined coal to fuel.
The coal industry was essentially the states sole source of work, and massive corporations built homes, general stores, schools, churches and recreational facilities in the remote towns near the mines. Coal miners company towns king coal from shovels to machines united mine. In fact, during the industrial period, more than 50 coal towns sprung up there, bringing thousands of people to the gorge. Mexican coal miners, west virginia, and marion post wolcott. Landgraff is in mcdowell county in the southeast corner of the state. The first century and a quarter of the american coal industry 1942. Race, class, and community conflict 17801980, the university press of kentucky, 1987. Up to 100 people were killed, and many more arrested. The earliest coal mining in west virginia was in this coalfield, when it was still part of virginia. The farm security administrationoffice of war information fsaowi produced some of the most iconic images of the great depression and world war ii and included photographers such as dorothea lange, walker evans, and ben shahn. With help from mary mother jones harris jones, an important figure in unionizing the mine workers, the miners. The coal mining massacre america forgot history smithsonian. By 1850, approximately half of kanawha countys slaves worked in the salt industrymany mined coal to fuel the furnaces.
The original campbells creek book has been sold out for more than twenty years. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The conflict occurred in logan county, west virginia, as part of the coal wars, a series of early20thcentury labor disputes in appalachia. The coal mining massacre america forgot the mountains of southern west virginia are riddled with coal and bullets child coal miners with mules in gary, west virginia in 1908. Aside from telling riveting stories of labor battles, green also dissects how the mine wars are interpreted today. The west virginia coal wars 191221, also known as the mine wars, arose out of a dispute between coal companies and miners.
In west virginia, coal mining has a long and complex history. Articles reprinted from the goldenseal magazine, 19771991, charleston, west virginia, pictorial histories publishing, 1991. But in this coal mining town many of the homes were up on the hills around the mine, too. My fascination of coal and railroads made this ideal place 3. A chilling account of the long war to unionize the coal mines of west virginia. Beckley, west virginia from real coal that was mined in southern west virginia by hardworking coal miners. The goldenseal book of the west virginia mine wars. He has taught history at the university of maryland and has published extensively on west virginia coal miners, including life, work, and rebellion in the coal fields u. Stuart mcgehee coal has a rich heritage in west virginia and has contributed significantly to the progress and wellbeing of west virginians since it was first discovered in what is now boone county in 1742 by peter salley, more than a century before west virginia became a state. In its first year as a state, the total production was 444,648a short tons. West virginia coal miner statuemy grandfather was a coal miner until they moved out here to become loggers, i believe.
Between 1880 and 1920, southern west virginias population grew from 93,000 to 446,000, due almost entirely to the coal industry. West virginia coal mining and labor history excerpts from a 1921 book that lists all the coal mines in west virginia. West virginia coal facts west virginia coal mine disasters from 1884 west virginia mine map archives mining in west virginia. By 1909, african americans made up over 26 percent of west virginia mine workers. Telling the powerful story of the west virginia coal mining rebellions of the early 20th century, this book collects material from the leaders, the miners, and the journalists sent to report on the 1912 and 1921 west virginia mine warsexplosive examples of strikes and union battles. West virginias coal miners and their battle for freedom, by james green by tom mackaman 18 august 2015. Lewis was convinced the coal miners in west virginia were about to do irreparable damage to his unions reputation. Get a glimpse of west virginias mining history in these 12. A brief history first appeared in 1963, a little book by a man with no training as either a writer or a historian. Since then, this volume has become an essential sourcebook, consulted and quoted in nearly every study of coal field history. Corbin, a native west virginian, received his ab and ma degrees in history from marshall university, and his phd from the university of maryland. Great coal leaders of west virginia, huntington, west virginia, vandalia book.
Bituminous coal mining spread throughout the newly formed state of west virginia in the years following the civil war. This is the day we officially take the time to recognize the valuable contribution coal miners have made and continue to make to our state and country. The united mine workers saw major declines in membership. New martinsville native shines light on coal miners in. See more ideas about west virginia, virginia and coal mining. West virginia regional and history center, wvu libraries. History of africanamerican miners in the appalachian coal fields thank you. In the first two decades of the 20th century, coal miners and coal companies in west virginia clashed in a series of brutal conflicts over. James greens history of the coalmining uprisings in west virginia in the.
According to the energy information agency eia, an office of the federal department of energy, west virginia coal production yeartodate is up 20 percent over the same period last year, and we appear on target to possibly cross the 100 million ton level for the full year. Take a look at these historic photos for a glimpse of the hard work, risk, and dedication from coal miners and their families throughout our states history. Jul 22, 2012 after leaving the new river area, we drove through the dark to the elkhorn inn in landgraff, west virginia. A medical survey of the bituminous coal industry, a report of the coal mine administration. Western maryland railway in west virginia our price.
West virginia miners responded by attempting to build the umw. James green is the author of five books, including death in the haymarket. His father, the fearless bill blizzard was general of the red neck army that marched toward logans blair mountain in 1921 and later led umwa district 17 as the southern west virginia. Excerpts from a 1921 book, civil war in west virginia. Apr 25, 2017 the coal mining massacre america forgot the mountains of southern west virginia are riddled with coaland bullets child coal miners with mules in gary, west virginia in 1908. The number of west virginia miners continued falling to the 30,000s in the 1990s, then below 20,000 in the new 21st century. The history of the class struggle in america shows how false this portrayal is. Green relates west virginias coal business to the human history, especially the amazing mine wars before and after. The year 1883 is an important year in west virginia s coal history. For miners, the system resembled something like feudalism. Featured in the text are articles, speeches, and discussions between union leaders such as samuel gompers. Virginia coal mine explosions causing injury or fatalijy. Velva tackett stepp 18 1549116240000 west virginia coal mining info. His father, the fearless bill blizzard was general of the red neck army that marched toward logans blair mountain in 1921 and later led umwa district 17 as the southern west virginia coalfields were organized.
Get a glimpse of west virginias mining history in these. Over half a century ago, william blizzard wrote the story of coal miners in west virginia. This is a colorful account of the open warfare in west virginia s dark and bloody coal fields in 1920 and 1921, triggered by the killing by company detectives. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Two books shed light on wv coal history news register. West virginia s drift mines were cut into the mountains horizontally and its slope mines descended gradually into the earth. Image from the out of print book the new river company mining coal and making history 19061976 in classic coal town fashion the superintendents house sat on a hill looking down on the mine and workers homes. Goldenseal book of the west virginia mine wars our price. Excerpts from a 1921 book, civil war in west virginia, written at the end of the west virginia mine wars by lane winthrop. Working conditions were brutal for coal miners, and unionization was violently. The worst mine disaster in the history of the country took place in monongah, west virginia, in 1907, where 362 miners perished. The people using the coal wanted it to be cheap, the miners wanted to earn enough money. The books most importantand timelycontribution is its revelation of the. How a 1968 disaster in a coal mine changed the industry a mine disaster fifty years ago in west virginia helped shape a new regulatory framework for the health and safety of coal miners.
Interactive map of coal mines in west virginia american. Jan 25, 2016 in west virginias colliers, miners were paid 49 cents per ton of clean coal, compared with 76 cents in the unionized mines of ohio. Many of the unskilled jobs such as coal loaders, mule handlers, and coke oven workers, were filled by african americans. The 25th anniversary edition of campbells creek a portrait of a coal mining community is a special reprint that holds the original content intact, just as it appeared when first released in october 1989. Even though the ohio valley was full of steel mills, the coal in the panhandle coalfield is not a metallurgical coal, though wheeling steel corp. Miscellaneous coal conflicts west virginia division of. The regions first coal miners primarily were african americans, both enslaved and free. The first workers strike, in west virginia, was the cabin creek and paint creek strike of 191219. A short history of mining and its decline in west virginia. Great coal leaders of west virginia, huntington, west virginia, vandalia book company, 1998.
African american coal miners at new river gorge in the mines, unskilled labor was in great demand. The west virginia geological and economic survey provides an interactive map of underground and surface coal mining activity in west virginia. Sixteen tons west virginia history coal miners virginia homes appalachian mountains kinfolk heaven on earth loneliness camps. Grand forks herald north dakota a captivating new book. Sep 01, 2018 the battle of blair mountain was the result of years of bitter labor disputes between the miners and coal companies of southern west virginia. Beginning in the east wtth a narrow strip in tazewell county, the coalfield widens to.
Fiction coal miners history strikes and lockouts coal mining labor disputes insurgency coal miners labor. Campbells creek a portrait of a coal mining community. Excerpts from a 1921 book that lists all the coal mines in. The history of coal mining in west virginia is a story of exploitation, explosions, murders, and struggle, but above all, its a story of hard work. The tragedy, exacerbated by false reports that 12 of the. December 6 is officially designated as miner s day in the state of west virginia. How a 1968 disaster in a coal mine changed the industry. West virginia coal miner statue in new river park, beckley, west virginia coal miner statue ancestors glad to see this. The industrys most striking growth, however, has been made since the year 1893. West virginias coal miners and their battle for freedom. A history of coal in west virginia friends of coal.
Tomorrow night at 9pm pbss american experience will broadcast the mine wars, based on the book. The book has also been microfilmed, the film number being 1035726 item 14. A day in the life of a west virginia coal miner caveins, explosions, and hard, brutal work. The battle of blair mountain was the largest labor uprising in united states history and the largest armed uprising since the american civil war. Coal is a part of our family history and our herit age. Coal history birth of the coal industry railroads coal miners company towns king coal from shovels to machines united mine workers coal camp baseball end of an era. Nov 01, 2011 telling the powerful story of the west virginia coal mining rebellions of the early 20th century, this book collects material from the leaders, the miners, and the journalists sent to report on the 1912 and 1921 west virginia mine warsexplosive examples of strikes and union battles. Watch the mine wars american experience official site. Coal mining would flourish, however, between 1880 and 1900, after competing railroad companies began. Nov 23, 2018 how a 1968 disaster in a coal mine changed the industry a mine disaster fifty years ago in west virginia helped shape a new regulatory framework for the health and safety of coal miners. West virginia mining family at the dinner table west. An explosion rocks the sago mine in sago, west virginia on january 2, 2006.
Users can zoom in on mining areas and retrieve information for individual mines, including historical. West virginia s coal miners and their battle for freedom kindle edition by green, james. West virginia has been of more or less importance as a coal producing state since it was formed in 1863. The first reported discovery of coal occurred in 1742, more than a century before west virginia became a state. Those coal towns disappeared just as quickly as they appeared, though, leaving the ruins of the towns to be reclaimed by nature. Virginia coal an abridged history and complete data manual of virginia coal productionconsumption from 1748 to 1988 written and compiled by. After you have used the online index, go to helen s.
A west virginia based coal plant operator, once hailed by federal officials as a model for the future, has announced that its filing for bankruptcy due to weak demand for electricity. The family history library call number for the book is 975. Gracie 11 1546725990000 harrison killed in wv mining accident in the midlate 1920s. West virginia had only a few active coal mines during the us civil war, with fewer than 1,600 miners in the whole state. West virginia honors coal miners and national coal miners appreciation day with event in fairmont december 6th, is national coal miners day. The bulk of his book is about two mine wars that took place in west. Excerpts from a 1921 book that lists all the coal mines in west virginia. History of africanamerican miners in the appalachian coal. James greens the devil is here in these hills the new york times.
Since the late 1800s, the coalfields of the states. From a snack for coal miners to foraged vegetables, the west virginia pepperoni roll author candace nelson explains how appalachian food embodies the history and culinary culture of west virginia. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. Over half a century ago, william blizzard wrote the story of coal miners in west vi rginia. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the west virginia mine wars like never before, in no time at all. Index of fatalities in west virginia coal mines 18831925.
Between 1880 and 1920, southern west virginia s population grew from 93,000 to 446,000, due almost entirely to the coal industry. Like most of west virginia, the new river gorge area has a rich history of coal mining. The 21st century saw its share of terrible disasters with the sago mine explosion in 2006 in tallmansville, west virginia, killing 12, and the upper big branch explosion in. West virginia honors coal miners and national coal miners. Old photos vintage photos i love my hubby coal miners mining equipment appalachian mountains my old kentucky home book projects family traditions. Harlan county boone county orca tattoo hamsa tattoo west virginia history coal miners memorial tattoos my old kentucky home my town. Lewis, professor of history at west virginia university the text in the exhibit was taken from dr. West virginia coal mines 1940s lewis hine coal miners hine lewis, west virginia, coal see more harlan county, usa is a feature documentary film, which tells the story of striking coal miners in eastern kentucky.
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