Category: Battle of Blair Mountain of 1921

Hellraisers Journal: United Mine Workers Journal: No Evidence of Treason in Trial of West Virginia Miners at Charles Town

Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921
Share

Quote Fred Mooney, Mingo Co Gunthugs, UMWJ p15, Dec 1, 1920—————

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday May 17, 1922
Charles Town, West Virginia – No Evidence of Treason at Trial of Miners

From the United Mine Workers Journal of May 15, 1922:

HdLn re WV Treason Trial, UMWJ p3, May 15, 1922

WV Treason Trial Crowd at Courthouse, UMWJ p3, May 15, 1922

At the time that this article was written the trial of William Blizzard, at Charles Town, W. Va., on a charge of treason against the state of West Virginia had been in progress for two weeks, and there appeared to be no end in sight, Judging form the number of witnesses that had been summoned by both sides. Up to end of the second week there had been no evidence of any treasonable intent on the part of Blizzard or any of the other officers and members of the United Mine Workers of Ameria who are under indictment with him.

[…..]

The trial is attracting nation-wide attention. Many of the largest newspapers of the country have special correspondents in attendance, and all of the press associations also are represented. Citizens of Charles Town and vicinity have treated the indicted miners and the witnesses with every courtesy and kindness. The hotels in Charles Town were unable to care for all of the visitors, and practically every home in the town was thrown open to them. Scores of miners are rooming in many of the best homes in Charles Town. A fraternal feeling has sprung up between the miners and local people.

One of the interesting events was a baseball game between a team composed of miners and the local Charles Town team, which resulted in a victory for the miners. New uniforms were provided for the members of the miners team, and they were every inch a ball team. A large crowd attended the game, and the proceeds were given to the Charles Town hospital…

[Emphasis added.]

JL Lewis at WV Treason Trial, UMWJ p5, May 15, 1922—–Treason in WV, UMWJ p4, May 15, 1922

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: United Mine Workers Journal: No Evidence of Treason in Trial of West Virginia Miners at Charles Town” →

Hellraisers Journal: Accused Union Miners Play Ball with Home Team at Charles Town, West Virginia, to Benefit Hospital

Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921
Share

Quote Fred Mooney, Mingo Co Gunthugs, UMWJ p15, Dec 1, 1920—————-

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday May 16, 1922
Charles Town, West Virginia – Accused Union Miners Play Ball with Home Team

From the Duluth Labor World of May 13, 1922:

ACCUSED MINERS PLAY BALL
WITH HOME TEAM
———-

WV Miners Trials, Blizzard at Bat Close Up, NY Dly Ns p24, May 4, 1922

CHARLES TOWN, W. Va., May 11.—Town folk “rooted” for the miners’ baseball team in its game with the local champions for the benefit of a hospital fund controlled by the citizens. The miners won by the score of 7 to 3.

All of the miners are charged with treason or murder. William Blizzard, the first miner to face trial, played right field for his team.

The miners have secured baseball uniforms’with the initials “U.” M. W. of A.” across their breasts. As they walked the diamond, they, were given a rousing cheer by Charles Town citizens, who show their admiration for the accused on every occasion.

—————

[Photograph and emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Accused Union Miners Play Ball with Home Team at Charles Town, West Virginia, to Benefit Hospital” →

Hellraisers Journal: Little Children of William Blizzard “Quiet as Mice” During Treason Trial of West Virginia Mine Leader

Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921
Share

Quote Fred Mooney, Mingo Co Gunthugs, UMWJ p15, Dec 1, 1920—————

Hellraisers Journal – Friday May 5, 1922
Charles Town, West Virginia – Children of Billy Blizzard at Treason Trial

From Indiana’s Richmond Palladium of May 3, 1922:

Children at Mine Trial

(By Associated Press)

William Blizzard, Regina Leader Pst p16, May 4, 1922

CHARLESTON, W. Va., May 3-A flaxen haired, chubby faced little girl of four years slept curled in her mother’s arms and an equally round faced, tow-headed boy, a year older, sat on his father’s knees and studied with grave blue eyes his unusual surroundings, during a considerable part of yesterday’s sessions of circuit court. They were “quiet as mice” throughout their stay, with far more respect for the dignity of the court than some of their elders, and many times eyes in the courtroom turned wearily away from the witness stand to brighten with smiles at the somber little tots who had much at stake in the proceedings.

The father was William Blizzard, youthful union official who sat by his attorney while a jury heard evidence on which the state of West Virginia bases a charge of treason against him. The mother had been sitting by his side, watchful of every detail since the trial started but this was the first visit of the two children to Charles Town. William, junior, known in the family circle as “Billy” and Marguerite, whose home name is “sister” are sturdy youngsters, full of life outside the courtroom, and showing in their features a striking resemblance to both father and mother.

———-

[Photograph and emphasis added.]

Billy Blizzard at Bat

From the New York Daily News of May 4, 1922:

WV Miners Trials, Blizzard at Bat Close Up, NY Dly Ns p24, May 4, 1922

From Wisconsin’s Sheboygan Press-Telegram of May 4, 1922:

WV Miners Trials, Blizzard at Bat, Sheboygan WI Prs p1, May 4, 1922

Between court sessions at which they are being tried for murder and treason at Charles Town, W. Va., miners enjoy a friendly baseball bout. Here “Bill” Blizzard, first on trial, is shown at the bat.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Little Children of William Blizzard “Quiet as Mice” During Treason Trial of West Virginia Mine Leader” →

Hellraisers Journal: Miners’ Tent Colony at Mingo County, West Virginia, Saved, for Now, from Coal Operators’ Injunction Judge

Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921
Share

Quote Mother Jones, Powers of Privilege ed, Ab Chp III—————

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday April 30, 1922
Mingo County, West Virginia – Miners’ Tent Colony Saved, for Now

From the Duluth Labor World of April 29, 1922:

TENT-SMASHING JUDGE CHECKED
BY HIGH COURT
———-
Circuit Court Stays Order to Drive Miners
and Families From Tented Homes.
———-

RICHMOND, Va., April 27.—Federal Judge McClintic’s injunction to smash the Mingo tent colony has been ordered held up by Hon. Martin A. Knapp, judge of the federal court of appeals, fourth circuit.

Mingo County WV Tent Colony, Rock Is IN Argus p14, Apr 17, 1922

Judge Knapp’s decision stays this order until it can be heard by the court of appeals. McClintic is also ordered to scrap his injunction machine until the court of appeals reviews his acts.

Several years ago this federal court of appeals set aside the notorious “yellow dog” decision by Federal Judge Dayton, since deceased. This decision legalized the individual contract whereby each worker ac­cepting employment agreed not to join a trade union. The reasoning of the court of appeals was rejected by the United States supreme court, which upheld the “yellow dog.”

—————-

CHARLESTON, W. Va., April 27. —In holding up Federal Judge Mc­Clintic’s injunction to destroy the Mingo tent colony and stop union organizing, the federal court of ap­peals at Richmond has temporarily clipped the wings of a judge who is openly charged with receiving his present position as a reward for sub­serviency to coal owners while he was a member of the West Virginia state senate.

McClintic is recognized as the au­thor of the West Virginia jury law which permits the prosecution to take a man charged with crime out of his county into another county for trial.

Under this law, which is now in effect, the trial of a striking miner can be transferred to a county like Logan, which is under the complete domination of Baldwin-Feltz gun­men.

When McClintic was appointed last year the A. F. of L. made strong objection because of his bias in fav­or of coal owners. The latest exhi­bition of this bias was shown by his issuance of an injunction that would oust hundreds of miners and their families from the only homes they have and which are located on land leased by the union.

The trade, unionists, made no pro­gress in blocking McClintic’s in­dorsement by the senate because he was supported by the two West Vir­ginia senators-Messrs. Sutherland and Elkins.

—————

[Photograph and emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Miners’ Tent Colony at Mingo County, West Virginia, Saved, for Now, from Coal Operators’ Injunction Judge” →

Hellraisers Journal: Rev. John E. Wilburn Will be Witness for Defense at Trial of Miners at Charles Town, West Virginia

Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921
Share

Quote Re Wilburn, Miner n Preacher, WVgn p11, Apr 28, 1922—————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday April 29, 1922
Charles Town, West Virginia – Rev. John E. Wilburn to be Witness at Trial of Miners

From The West Virginian of April 28, 1922:

PASTOR ACCUSED OF TREASON
MAIN MINERS’ WITNESS
———-
Kept in Solitary Confinement More Than
a Month and Then Handcuffed.
———-

By C. C. LYON

 

WV Rev John Wilburn, WVgn p11, Apr 28, 1922

CHARLES TOWN, W. Va., April 27.-Counsel for the hunreds of West Virginia miners on trial here for alleged treason and murder in connection with their armed March to Logan county last August are only waiting a chance to put the Rev. John E. Wilburn, for five years pastor of the Baptist church at Blair, Logan county, on the stand as their star witness.

Rev. Wilburn himself has been held without bail, he was brought in handcuffs to Charles Town from Logan. He is now in jail here.

In court he is the center of all eyes.

Reign of Terror

On the witness stand the Reverend Mr. Wilburn will tell a story of the reign of terror in the Logan and Mingo county coal fields of the “‘battle of Blair Mountain” where men died on both sides, of the alleged mistreatment of miners and their families by the deputies said to have been hired by the coal operators, and of his own mistreatment in the Logan county jail following his arrest.

A round-shouldered, tired little man, with kindly blue eyes, a soft voice and an almost saintly manner-that’s Mr. Wilburn.

Not a word of complaint against anybody has passed his lips.

His Experiences

Mr. Wilburn told me his story here in the Charles Town jail.

 [He said:]

I am 45 years old and was born in the mountains of Tennessee. I received a common school education and at 16 I was converted to Christ and joined the Baptist Church.

The ambition of my life was to become a minister, but we were very poor, so I went to work in the coal mines to earn a living while I studied. 

I was miner and student for nine years before I was ordained a minister. That was 22 years ago.

I saw that my field of usefulness lay with my own people in the mining camps. But they were too poor to maintain their churches so I went on working in the mines to support my family while I preached.

Family Prayer Daily

I am the father of five sons and three daughters and never has there passed a day at our home that we haven’t had our family prayers.

Five years ago I became pastor of the Baptist Church at Blair, Logan county. At the same time got a job as track-layer in a union mine. My three sons also worked in this mine.

I was put in solitary confinement [because of?] all the trouble there.

In September I went back to my old home in Tennessee to conduct a series of revival services and it was not until January that I learned that the Logan County grand jury had indicted me for alleged participation in the “battle of Blair Mountain.”

I immediately wrote Sheriff Don Chafin that I would come back if he wanted me, but, not hearing from him, I continued my revival meetings. When I returned to Logan County in March I was dumbfounded to learn that I was under indictment for murder and treason.

I was jailed at Logan. My two sons, John 18, and Frank 16, had been in jail without bond since December 31. A third son, Isaac, had been in jail but was admitted to bond. 

The authorities offered me many inducements to turn state’s evidence and testify against the miners but I spurned their offers.

I was put in solitary confinement in the Logan jail on March 14 and remained in solitary confinement until Saturday, April 22, when I was handcuffed to another miner and brought to Charles Town.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Rev. John E. Wilburn Will be Witness for Defense at Trial of Miners at Charles Town, West Virginia” →

Hellraisers Journal: Hired Gunthugs Acquitted of Murder in Killing of Miners’ Hero Sid Hatfield at Welch, West Virginia

Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921
Share

Quote Sallie Chambers re Murder of Sid Hatfield n Ed, Blt Sun p2, Aug 5, 1921—————

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday April 27, 1922
Welch, West Virginia – Gunthugs Acquitted of Murder in Killing of Sid Hatfield

From the Baltimore Sun of April 25, 1922:

Three Are Acquitted Of Hatfield Killing
———-

Matewan Defendants Sid Hatfield n Ed Chambers, WV Hx Center, see also UMWJ p14, June 15, 1921

Welch, W. Va., April 24.-The final chapter in one of Mingo’s numerous industrial tragedies was written here today when a jury in Circuit Court returned a verdict of not guilty against C. E. Lively, Buster Pence and William Salters, indicted in connection with the killing of Sid Hatfield.

A similar verdict was returned when the same defendants were tried on charges of having killed Ed Chambers.

On August 1 last, Hatfield and Chambers came to Welch to answer for the part they were alleged to have played in the shooting up of the little mining town of Mohawk. As they were walking up the Courthouse steps, near where the three defendants were standing, a shot was heard, and when the smoke of general shooting cleared away the bodies of Hatfield and Chambers lay at the bottom of the steps.

They were accompanied by their wives when the shooting occurred.

Lively was the chief witness against Hatfield and the other men who were tried in connection with the killing of seven private detectives at Matewan. In that fight 10 men met death, including Mayor C. C. Testerman.

Shortly after this affray, Hatfield married Testerman’s widow, and soon after Sid went down at Welch his widow married a State trooper. 

—————

[Photograph and emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Hired Gunthugs Acquitted of Murder in Killing of Miners’ Hero Sid Hatfield at Welch, West Virginia” →

Hellraisers Journal: West Virginia Miners Resent Treason Charge; Declare They Are as Patriotic Citizens as Anybody

Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921
Share

Quote Fred Mooney, Mingo Co Gunthugs, UMWJ p15, Dec 1, 1920—————

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday April 26, 1922
Charles Town, West Virginia – Miners Resent Treason Charge

From the Baltimore Sun of April 25, 1922:

(From a Staff Correspondent.)

Charles Town, W. Va., April 24.-Attacking directly the indictment charging treason, attorneys for the defense in the big industrial trials which opened here this morning began their fight to clear more than 100 men, mostly members of the United Mine Workers of America, of charges growing out of the armed march from Marmet, Kanawha county, to Logan county last August and September.

Entering a demurrer to the treason indictment, which covers 23 defendants, had been expected, and from the legal point of view is regarded as purely a routine move. From the moral point of view, however, and particularly , considering the effect it may have on public pinion, the outcome of the maneuver is regarded by the defense as of paramount importance.

Treason Charge Resented.

Indictments for murder and conspiracy were more or less expected in the circumstances by the United Mine Workers, but the indictment for treason always rankled. It is their contention that they are as patriotic citizens as anybody, and that they never for an instant contemplated war on the constituted authorities of the United States or West Virginia.

The arguments today, therefore, were followed with more interest than was usual at such a stage  an ordinary trial, and many of those accused betrayed not a little tenseness as the attorneys held forth.

The arguments on which the demurrer was based were largely technical, fault being found in one instance with the language of the indictment, and in another with the alleged general character of the offenses charged. The tediousness of the arguments, however, never for an instant acted to break attention with which the case was followed by the crowd in the courtroom.

Judge J. M. Woods, of Martinsburg, who is presiding, reserved his decision on the demurrer until the morning, and court adjourned about 3.30 this afternoon.

Crowd Has Holiday Air.

The crowd in front of the Courthouse this morning, far from presenting the grim aspect you might expect from men about to go on trial for their lives, were rather a holiday air. The defendants had been provided with ribbons reading “U. M. W. A. – Defendant,” which made them look more like a lot of delegates to a fraternal order convention than men accused of the most serious crimes on the statute books.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: West Virginia Miners Resent Treason Charge; Declare They Are as Patriotic Citizens as Anybody” →

Hellraisers Journal: Charles Town, West Virginia, Stage Set for Trial of Miners; Nine Miners Marched Through Town in Chains

Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921
Share

Quote Wm C Blizzard, Nine Miners in Chains Charles Town WV Apr 23, 1922, When Miners March p294—————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday April 25, 1922
Charles Town, West Virginia – Stage Set for Trial of Miners

From the Baltimore Sun of April 24, 1922:

HdLn Charles Town WV Stage Set for Trial of Miners, Blt Sun p1, Apr 24, 1922

(From a Staff Correspondent.)

Charles Town, W. Va., April 23.-Excited, nervous, confident here, depressed there, a small army of defendants, witnesses, attorneys and newspaper men has taken possession of Charles Town on the eve of the trials of more than 200 men on charges including treason, murder and conspiracy, growing out of the “armed march” from Marmet on Logan county last summer.

It is estimated that fully 1,000 persons are in the little county seat of Jefferson county in connection with the trials.

Trials Are Sole Topic.

All over town, in the lobbies of the hotels, on street corners, gathered in knots here and there, they are discussing one thing-the trials. They have been arriving since Friday. A grim incident this morning was the arrival of nine men in handcuffs from Logan county. They were those who are unable to get bail after being indicted in Logan last year. They were escorted to the Charles Town jail.

Central figures in the whole West Virginia industrial controversy already are in town and others are expected tomorrow and on succeeding days. There is C. Frank Keeney, president of District No. 17, United Mine Workers, and the man, who, it is believed, will be the target for the heaviest artillery of the prosecution. He faces a charge of treason and is alleged to have instigated and aided the alleged insurrection. With him are Mrs. Keeney and their son. He is at one of the hotels, smiling and high-spirited as usual.

There is Fred Mooney, secretary of District No. 17, also charged with treason. He is a bit more self-contained than Keeney, yet you would scarcely know he was to be tried on a charge that might bring his neck into a noose.

Scores Of Notables Present.

There is H. W. Houston, chief counsel for the defense, often called the “brains of the United Mine Workers in West Virginia.” There is William Blizzard, accused of being the “generalissimo of the insurrection.” There are a half-dozen special lawyers engaged by the prosecution, famous in the annals of West Virginia criminal procedure. There are scores of others of lesser prominence, though all are well enough known in their localities.

Before the week is out, Gov. E. F. Morgan will be here, having been subpoenaed by both sides. William M. Wiley, of Sharples, picturesque figure among the operators, around whose mines the fighting raged last summer, will be called. John L. Lewis, international president of the United Mine Workers, will be here Tuesday.

One big, outstanding figure, however, from all that can be learned, will not be here. He is not here tonight and it is reported he will not come. That is Don Chafin, Sheriff of Logan county. Chafin has been for years the bete noir of the United Mine Workers. He has worked against them, resisted two armed marches, and in general earned for himself the undying hatred of many connected with the big mine union…..

—————

[Emphasis added.]

From the Baltimore Sun of April 23, 1922:

Keeney, Mooney to Charles Town WV for Trial, Blt Sun p9, Apr 23, 1922

In the center is C. Frank Keeney, president of District 17, United Mine Workers of America, and active leader of the union forces of Southern West Virginia. Mr. Keeney has been indicted in Logan county for treason and conspiracy. He has also been indicted in Kanawha county for alleged conspiracy and in Mingo county on charges of murder. At the left is Fred Mooney, secretary-treasurer of District 17, United Mine Workers, with headquarters at Charleston. Within 10 miles of the capital the armed march on Logan county started last fall. Mr. Mooney faces charges of treason and conspiracy. At the right is William M. Wiley. He lives in Sharples, W. Va., on the Boon-Logan county line, where the battle raged over a front of 25 miles in the wilderness. He is vice-president of the Kanawha Coal Operators’ Association and vice-president of the Boone County Coal Corporation, with five large operations on the organized edge of Logan county. He employs 1,500 union miners. He will be a principal witness in the trials at Charles Town. He gave sensational testimony before the Senate Committee on Education and Labor in Washington recently, which investigated the armed march, and of which committee former Senator Kenyon was chairman.

[Emphasis added.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Charles Town, West Virginia, Stage Set for Trial of Miners; Nine Miners Marched Through Town in Chains” →

Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for September 1921, Part II: Found Denouncing the Private Army of Gunthugs Ruling West Virginia

Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921
Share

Quote Mother Jones re RR Men Haul Gunthugs n Scab Coal, Coshocton Tb OH p3, Sept 17, 1921—————

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday February 9, 1922
Mother Jones News Round-Up for September 1921, Part II
Found Denouncing Government by Gunthug in the State of West Virginia

From The New Castle Herald of September 6, 1921:

MOTHER JONES HAS SOLUTION

DECLARES FORCE OF RIGHT MUST SUPPLANT
RIGHT OF FORCE IN WEST VIRGINIA
———-

By HARRY HUNT

Mother Jones, Lecompton KS Sun p10, Sept 8, 1921

WASHINGTON Sept. 6.-“The secretary of war doesn’t understand. The president doesn’t understand.”

There is a great wrong being perpetrated in West Virginia. This wrong will not be corrected by jailing miners or shooting them. It will be settled only by social and industrial justice.

It was ”Mother” Jones speaking. She had just left the office of Secretary of War Weeks, where she had gone to protest against the sending of federal troops into the zone of the West Virginia mine war. 

“Just what is the situation?” she was asked. “You were there last week. What is the trouble?”

[Mother Jones replied:]

The miners under arms in West Virginia are not fighting the government, either state or nation. But they are determined to defend themselves from the oppression and domination of the hired gunmen of the mine operators who constitute a private army of the interests in West Virginia.

Companies Obdurate

The government rendered a decision on the wage question in this district in 1919. But the mine companies have not recognized the authority of the government in that decision and have not followed it.

The men, being Americans, revolted. They sent out word asking to be organized.

Then they were thrown out of the miserable company shacks in which they lived.

The mine workers in this district are robbed to pay an army of professional murderers, maintained to keep the workers in subjection.

The money that ought to go to the miner who slaves underground is diverted to maintain gunmen to enforce the demands of greedy overlords of industry.

The fathers want that money, which they earn, to help educate their children, to improve their homes, to get churches and schools and the rights of American citizens.

Force of Right 

The trouble in West Virginia must be settled by the force of right, not by the right of force.

You can shoot down these men in West Virginia, but they will rise again against the outrage of being robbed to pay a private army to enforce the brutal demands of coal operators.

If the employers can form their army, the workers naturally think they can do the same. That’s logical, isn’t it?

And that situation is the ulcer from which flows all the poison. Until it is removed, there will be no peace.

Fought Same Battle

We fought this fight out in the Kanawah and New River fields 23 years ago. We had a few battles. A good many of us were put in jail. I was carried 84 miles to jail myself, to get me out of the zone where it was thought I would be troublesome.

But we got the whole of these fields organized. The gunmen had to leave. The men began to get their pay in Uncle Sam’s currency, not in company money that could only be spent at company stores.

They are living in peace today in the Kanawha and New River fields and in the Fairmont district. Their homes are happier, their work better, the relations of the men and their employers more just.

But along the Norfolk & Western in the Mingo fields, a private army rules.

—————

[Photograph added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for September 1921, Part II: Found Denouncing the Private Army of Gunthugs Ruling West Virginia” →

Hellraisers Journal: Senator Kenyon, as Head of Investigation, Makes Individual Report on Conflict in Mingo County

Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921
Share

Quote Mother Jones, WDC Tx p15, Aug 26, 1921—————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday January 28, 1922
Senator Kenyon Advocates Tribunal and Coal Code to Settle West Virginia Troubles

From the Washington Evening Star of January 27, 1922:

KENYON ADVOCATES TRIBUNAL AND
CODE FOR COAL INDUSTRY
———-

Senator, as Head of Inquiry,
Makes Individual Report
on Mingo Conflict.

WV Battle by Shields, Same Old Line Up by B Robinson, Lbtr p19, Oct 1921

A government tribunal for regulation of the coal Industry under a statutory code of industrial law enforced only by power of public opinion was recommended in a report presented to the Senate today by Chairman Kenyon of the labor committee, which recently investigated disorders in the West Virginia-Kentucky coal fields.

The report held that both the coal operators and miners were responsible for the recent fatal conflicts and property destruction in West Virginia, and said mutual concessions by the coal operators and United Mine Workers would have to be made to end the conflict.

“The issue is perfectly plain,” said Senator Kenyon’s report. “The operators in this particular section of West Virginia…openly announce…that they will not employ men belonging to the unions,…and further, that they have the right and will exercise it, if they desire, to discharge a man if he belongs to the union. …On the other hand, the United Mine Workers are determined to unionize these fields, which are practically the only large and important coal fields in the United States not unionized.”

His Personal Suggestion.

The proposal for a federal coal tribunal and code of laws applying both to operators and miners was his personal suggestion, Senator Kenyon said. Other members of the investigating committee did not sign the report, and are at liberty to submit individual reports.

[…..]

Battle of Blair Mt, WV Today by Bushnell, Guards, Gunthugs, Spies, UMWJ p5, Sept 15, 1921

[Photographs and emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Senator Kenyon, as Head of Investigation, Makes Individual Report on Conflict in Mingo County” →