Blair Mountain West Virginia 1921
In August 1921 Sid Hatfield was assassinated in McDowell County, West Virginia by Baldwin-Flats agents. As it became evident that the murderers would escape punishment, miners throughout the region began to coalesce in protest. In Logan County Sheriff Don Chafin – notoriously anti-union – arrested several miners and held them illegally under martial law. Hundreds of miners were held in Mingo county without charges being preferred, a violation of habeas corpus.
By late August almost 13,000 miners and their supporters were marching towards Logan County where Chafin had established a defensive position on Blair Mountain, with about 2,000 deputies supported by Baldwin-Flats agents. On August 26 President Harding announced he would send federal troops to the scene. The President also promised that US Army Air Corps bombers would be used. The miners, meeting through their leaders, agreed to return home.
Chafin’s men meanwhile opened fire on another group of miners near Sharples, West Virginia, or at least rumors circulated that he had. Outraged miners then attacked Chafin’s men. US Army planes were used for aerial observation. Privately owned airplanes were used to drop bombs on both sides of the conflict.
Gun battles occurred throughout the area for over a week. By the time relative calm was restored Chafin had lost more than 30 men and the miners between 50 and 100. Federal troops arrived on September 2 and took control of the area. Nearly 1,000 miners were indicted for crimes including murder and treason against the state.
In the short term it was a disaster for the UMW as membership dropped by nearly 80% in the region. In the 1920s the demand for coal likewise fell precipitately, and unionization of coal mines became less financially feasible for the companies. Demand for coal would not begin to increase again until the buildup of industry during lend-lease which led to World War II.