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. 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. West virginia coal mining and labor history excerpts from a 1921 book that lists all the coal mines in west virginia. 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. The goldenseal book of the west virginia mine wars. The first century and a quarter of the american coal industry 1942. The first workers strike, in west virginia, was the cabin creek and paint creek strike of 191219. Harlan county boone county orca tattoo hamsa tattoo west virginia history coal miners memorial tattoos my old kentucky home my town. West virginia mining family at the dinner table west. Excerpts from a 1921 book that lists all the coal mines in. Featured in the text are articles, speeches, and discussions between union leaders such as samuel gompers. 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. 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.
West virginia honors coal miners and national coal miners appreciation day with event in fairmont december 6th, is national coal miners day. Lewis was convinced the coal miners in west virginia were about to do irreparable damage to his unions reputation. A brief history first appeared in 1963, a little book by a man with no training as either a writer or a historian. Watch the mine wars american experience official site. Race, class, and community conflict 17801980, the university press of kentucky, 1987. New york exhibition of the industry of all nations new york statenew york coal miners west virginia married. Goldenseal book of the west virginia mine wars our price.
Old photos vintage photos i love my hubby coal miners mining equipment appalachian mountains my old kentucky home book projects family traditions. The year 1883 is an important year in west virginia s coal history. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. December 6 is officially designated as miners day in the state of west virginia.
Those coal towns disappeared just as quickly as they appeared, though, leaving the ruins of the towns to be reclaimed by nature. History of africanamerican miners in the appalachian coal fields thank you. James greens history of the coalmining uprisings in west virginia in the. The major rail lines were completed that year and production totaled nearly 3 million tons. West virginia history volume 53 west virginia division of. The west virginia coal wars 191221, also known as the mine wars, arose out of a dispute between coal companies and miners. West virginia coal miner statue in new river park, beckley, west virginia coal miner statue ancestors glad to see this. After you have used the online index, go to helen s. The west virginia mine war of 192021, a major civil insurrection of unusual brutality on both sides, even by the standards of the coal fields, involved thousands of union and nonunion miners, state and private police, militia, and federal troops. Great coal leaders of west virginia, huntington, west virginia, vandalia book company, 1998. Tomorrow night at 9pm pbss american experience will broadcast the mine wars, based on the book. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Excerpts from a 1921 book that lists all the coal mines in west virginia. A short history of mining and its decline in west virginia. Articles reprinted from the goldenseal magazine, 19771991, charleston, west virginia, pictorial histories publishing, 1991. Mexican coal miners, west virginia, and marion post wolcott. 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. Up to 100 people were killed, and many more arrested. Bituminous coal mining spread throughout the newly formed state of west virginia in the years following the civil war.
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. Excerpts from a 1921 book, civil war in west virginia, written at the end of the west virginia mine wars by lane winthrop. 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. My fascination of coal and railroads made this ideal place 3. Coal miners company towns king coal from shovels to machines united mine. Virginia coal an abridged history and complete data manual of virginia coal productionconsumption from 1748 to 1988 written and compiled by. The original campbells creek book has been sold out for more than twenty years. The regions first coal miners primarily were african americans, both enslaved and free. Like most of west virginia, the new river gorge area has a rich history of coal mining. 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. Users can zoom in on mining areas and retrieve information for individual mines, including historical.
Coal is a part of our family history and our herit age. Gracie 11 1546725990000 harrison killed in wv mining accident in the midlate 1920s. The earliest coal mining in west virginia was in this coalfield, when it was still part of virginia. By 1909, african americans made up over 26 percent of west virginia mine workers.
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. West virginia has been of more or less importance as a coal producing state since it was formed in 1863. West virginia history celebrated labor historian james green tells the story of west virginia and coal like never before. New martinsville native shines light on coal miners in. The history of the class struggle in america shows how false this portrayal is. Beckley, west virginia from real coal that was mined in southern west virginia by hardworking coal miners.
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. West virginias coal miners and their battle for freedom. Excerpts from a 1921 book that lists all the coal mines in west. A medical survey of the bituminous coal industry, a report of the coal mine administration. A day in the life of a west virginia coal miner caveins, explosions, and hard, brutal work. West virginias coal miners and their battle for freedom, by james green by tom mackaman 18 august 2015. 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. Lewis, professor of history at west virginia university the text in the exhibit was taken from dr. The family history library call number for the book is 975. The battle of blair mountain was the largest labor uprising in united states history and the largest armed uprising since the american civil war. Over half a century ago, william blizzard wrote the story of coal miners in west virginia. Get a glimpse of west virginias mining history in these.
The tragedy, exacerbated by false reports that 12 of the. Working conditions were brutal for coal miners, and unionization was violently. West virginia office of miners health safety and training. History of africanamerican miners in the appalachian coal. A day in the life of a west virginia coal miner literary hub. Nov 15, 2018 the year 1883 is an important year in west virginias coal history.
How a 1968 disaster in a coal mine changed the industry. Sixteen tons west virginia history coal miners virginia homes appalachian mountains kinfolk heaven on earth loneliness camps. 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. Excerpts from a 1921 book, civil war in west virginia. Many of the unskilled jobs such as coal loaders, mule handlers, and coke oven workers, were filled by african americans. 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. Books about coal miners what should i read next register for free to build your own book lists. 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. West virginia s coal miners and their battle for freedom kindle edition by green, james. 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. Fiction coal miners history strikes and lockouts coal mining labor disputes insurgency coal miners labor.
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. 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 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. Index of fatalities in west virginia coal mines 18831925. 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. Get a glimpse of west virginias mining history in these 12. In late august 1921, union miners and coal company supporters clashed near blair mountain, west virginia, in what has been called the largest. See more ideas about west virginia, virginia and coal mining. The book has also been microfilmed, the film number being 1035726 item 14. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Western maryland railway in west virginia our price. Grand forks herald north dakota a captivating new book. In its first year as a state, the total production was 444,648a short tons. West virginia, 19071933 archon books, 1979, on labor conflicts of the early 20th century. 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. West virginia regional and history center, wvu libraries. The bulk of his book is about two mine wars that took place in west. A chilling account of the long war to unionize the coal mines of west virginia. Campbells creek a portrait of a coal mining community. West virginia coal miner statuemy grandfather was a coal miner until they moved out here to become loggers, i believe. The west virginia geological and economic survey provides an interactive map of underground and surface coal mining activity in west virginia. Corbin, a native west virginian, received his ab and ma degrees in history from marshall university, and his phd from the university of maryland. West virginia mining american experience official site.
Beginning in the east wtth a narrow strip in tazewell county, the coalfield widens to. Since then, this volume has become an essential sourcebook, consulted and quoted in nearly every study of coal field history. James green is the author of five books, including death in the haymarket. West virginia miners responded by attempting to build the umw. West virginia had only a few active coal mines during the us civil war, with fewer than 1,600 miners in the whole state. 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. The history of the 20th century conflict between coal companies and miners looks at the tumultuous fight on both sides of the lines. Aside from telling riveting stories of labor battles, green also dissects how the mine wars are interpreted today. The books most importantand timelycontribution is its revelation of the. With help from mary mother jones harris jones, an important figure in unionizing the mine workers, the miners.
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. The first reported discovery of coal occurred in 1742, more than a century before west virginia became a state. For miners, the system resembled something like feudalism. A history of coal in west virginia friends of coal.
Landgraff is in mcdowell county in the southeast corner of the state. Over half a century ago, william blizzard wrote the story of coal miners in west vi rginia. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. The worst mine disaster in the history of the country took place in monongah, west virginia, in 1907, where 362 miners perished. African american coal miners at new river gorge in the mines, unskilled labor was in great demand. The number of west virginia miners continued falling to the 30,000s in the 1990s, then below 20,000 in the new 21st century. Between 1880 and 1920, southern west virginias population grew from 93,000 to 446,000, due almost entirely to the coal industry. Child coal miners with mules in gary, west virginia in 1908. Virginia coal mine explosions causing injury or fatalijy. The map shows areas of active and historical coal mining in both underground and surface mines, with separate colors for auger and highwall mining. Since the late 1800s, the coalfields of the states. But in this coal mining town many of the homes were up on the hills around the mine, too. The conflict occurred in logan county, west virginia, as part of the coal wars, a series of early20thcentury labor disputes in appalachia.
Two books shed light on wv coal history news register. The industrys most striking growth, however, has been made since the year 1893. Coal mining would flourish, however, between 1880 and 1900, after competing railroad companies began. 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. Coal was used to heat homes, generate cheap electricity, and produce steel. Green relates west virginias coal business to the human history, especially the amazing mine wars before and after. In west virginia, coal mining has a long and complex history. Stinsons book of extracted information from the reports of mine inspectors. Velva tackett stepp 18 1549116240000 west virginia coal mining info. In fact, during the industrial period, more than 50 coal towns sprung up there, bringing thousands of people to the gorge. Bertha hill, scotts run, west virginia marion post wolcott, 1938. West virginia coal facts west virginia coal mine disasters from 1884 west virginia mine map archives mining in west virginia.
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. 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. 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. Mar 17, 2015 controversy about mining and strife between miners and their employers is not a new phenomena, as historian james green points out in his new book, the devil is here in these hills. 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 miner s day in the state of west virginia. 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. The people using the coal wanted it to be cheap, the miners wanted to earn enough money. Great coal leaders of west virginia, huntington, west virginia, vandalia book.
West virginia s drift mines were cut into the mountains horizontally and its slope mines descended gradually into the earth. James greens the devil is here in these hills the new york times. Jul 22, 2012 after leaving the new river area, we drove through the dark to the elkhorn inn in landgraff, west virginia. Between 1880 and 1920, southern west virginia s population grew from 93,000 to 446,000, due almost entirely to the coal industry.
Miscellaneous coal conflicts west virginia division of. With the growth of the industry the first mine safety laws were passed by the west virginia legislature on february 22, 1883. The united mine workers saw major declines in membership. By 1850, approximately half of kanawha countys slaves worked in the salt industrymany mined coal to fuel the furnaces. West virginia honors coal miners and national coal miners. These 12 rare photos show west virginia s mining history like never before. 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. An explosion rocks the sago mine in sago, west virginia on january 2, 2006. By 1850, approximately half of kanawha countys slaves worked in the salt industrymany mined coal to fuel.