What happened on Blair Mountain?
The miners’ army was met at Blair Mountain by thousands of men who volunteered to fight with the Logan County sheriff, who was in the pay of the coal companies. Over 12 miles and five days, the sheriff’s men fought the miners, strafing the hillsides with machine-gun fire and dropping homemade bombs from planes.
Who won Battle of Blair Mountain?
Mooney makes it quite clear: “We kept in touch with developments through the press reports and by messenger until September 16.” The victory of Blair Mountain is best understood as having three components: The Union was winning militarily, won in the court room, and most importantly, emerged with a leadership cadre …
Who died the Battle of Blair Mountain?
The tipping point in the “Mine War” finally came on August 1, 1921, when Sheriff Sid Hatfield was shot dead by Baldwin-Felts agents as he entered the McDowell County Courthouse. The assassination outraged the miners, who considered Hatfield a hero for his involvement in the Matewan shootout.
Who owns Blair Mountain?
For years, Blair Mountain has been under assault by such corporations as Natural Resource Partners L.P. and Arch Coal, Inc. —large absentee conglomerates that own most of the battlefield’s nearly 1,700 acres.
How many people were killed in the Battle of Blair Mountain?
The conflict occurred in Logan County, West Virginia, as part of the Coal Wars, a series of early-20th-century labor disputes in Appalachia. Up to 100 people were killed, and many more arrested.
Were bombs dropped on Blair Mountain?
Private planes were hired to drop homemade bombs on the miners. A combination of poison gas and explosive bombs left over from World War I were dropped in several locations near the towns of Jeffery, Sharples and Blair.
What ended the Battle of Blair Mountain?
August 25, 1921 – September 2, 1921Battle of Blair Mountain / Period
How did Blair Mountain get its name?
The mountain is named for its location east of the town of Blair. Its summit peaks at about 1,890 feet above sea level.
Why was the Battle of Blair Mountain Important?
Their murder catalyzed a movement, the largest labor uprising in history, that remains resonant to this day. The Battle of Blair Mountain saw 10,000 West Virginia coal miners march in protest of perilous work conditions, squalid housing and low wages, among other grievances.
How long did the Battle of Blair Mountain last?
five days
The ensuing battle raged for five days. It was the largest armed conflict on American soil since the Civil War. Chafin’s army had machine guns and biplanes that dropped tear gas and bombs on the miners. The fight didn’t end until U.S. Army soldiers arrived.
What was the significance of the Battle of Blair Mountain?
The Battle of Blair Mountain was the largest labor uprising in United States history and one of the largest, best-organized, and most well-armed uprisings since the American Civil War. The conflict occurred in Logan County, West Virginia, as part of the Coal Wars, a series of early-20th-century labor disputes in Appalachia.
How many people died in the Battle of Blair Mountain?
Reports of casualties ranged from as few as 20 killed to as many as 100, but the actual number has never been confirmed. The Battle of Blair Mountain is now cited as a pivotal chapter in American labor history, but in the short term, it proved to be a crushing defeat for the miners.
What happened to the miners at Blair Mountain?
Within hours of the Madison decision, rumors abounded that Chafin’s men had shot union sympathizers in the town of Sharples, just north of Blair Mountain – and that families had been caught in crossfire during the skirmishes. Infuriated, the miners turned back toward Blair Mountain, many traveling in other stolen and commandeered trains.
Is there a movie about the Battle of Blair Mountain?
Includes discussion of Matewan, Sayles’ film about an aspect of the 1920s Blair Mountain conflict; also discussion of “second battle” in the 21st century “Detective Tells Story of Fatal Matewan Riot”. New-York Tribune.