Did you know the only bombs to ever drop within the United States were dropped on coal miners during The Battle for Blair Mountain in 1921? Did you know the term redneck stems from the coal wars of the 1920’s and 30’s? Miners wore red bandannas around their necks so they could differentiate between friend and foe.
I’ve been forced to think about the coal mine wars of the early days from having stories told to me about bunkers that exist to this day around Kayford Mountain. I had intended to get photos of the bunkers and other historic sites for a post about the mine wars. Since the weather was so bad, my last trip to Kayford, I decided to wait for a better photo friendly day to get bunker photos.
Blair mountain is once again the scene of a battle only this time it is a battle to save a national treasure - Blair Mountain itself.
I will be posting more about the battle for Blair Mountain - past and present. For now though I wanted to put some links to the story here so anybody interested can read up on it themselves.
The Battle over Blair Mountain Roanoke Times
Correspondence - Logan Coal Operators Association
Historic Blair Mountain Prepares for Its Last Stand
February 25th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Denny,
Just to update you a little. Last Friday (Feb 22, 2008), the WV State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) at a public meeting, approved the nomination of Blair Mountain to the National Register of Historic Places. So, now the nomination goes on to the “keeper” of the National Register, who is expected to approve the nomination as well.
At the public meeting, there were several noted historians, both amateur and professional, who called for the Division of Culture and History’s SHPO office to approve the nomination. Conversely there were also a few company hacks there as well, who tried to marginalize the historical importance of Blair Mountain. Luckily, after several years of trying, the nomination was approved. It was a very lively meeting. I loved it when Harvard Ayers, historian, yelled at the company lawyer, “How Dare You, how dare you say that Blair Mountain wasn’t significant, how dare you to say we are only trying to stop any development and that we don’t care about the precious historical resources of this state, how dare you!!”. Needless to say, even the company lawyer was shaken by the force and conviction of these words.
And kudos to the SHPO office for finally approving the nomination. It is a start.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
That is great!! I was actually just trying to find info on the current progress of that particular battle.
Thanks very much for sharing!
February 25th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Wow, I never knew about this. I love finding out about little bits of history that I never knew existed.
Here’s hoping it becomes a protected place so more people can learn about it.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:11 am
Denny,
I watched a documentary about “Appalachia” on PBS a while ago, and they said that the bombers were ordered in, but were forced to turn around due to either clouds or fog. Not meaning to argue with you, you are from there and I am not, but if this is true I just wanted to make sure you stated it the way you meant to. Also, if the bombs WERE dropped, I’d really like to know about it.
Brian
February 26th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Kristine - I’m with you, I love to learn something new about history.
Brian I appreciate the info. That was the reason I didn’t say it was the government that dropped them. I knew it was the governments intention but didn’t find info as to the outcome - what I was referring to though was this info found on Wikipedia and referred to on a few sites.
“By August 29, battle was fully joined. Chafin’s men, though outnumbered, had the advantage of higher positions and better weaponry. Private planes were hired to drop homemade bombs on the miners, though many of these failed to explode and none are believed to have caused any injuries.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:33 am
This is another good link with photos.
Newspaper Photos Relating to
The Battle of Blair Mountain
February 26th, 2008 at 1:18 am
No problem Denny… I also verified on Wikipedia, before I commented
By the way, Do you accept trackbacks?
February 26th, 2008 at 1:28 am
Also, I just found this while searching for the documentary I was talking about.
http://www.pbs.org/independent.....ppalachia/
Didn’t know if you knew about it or blogged about in the past.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:38 am
I found the same story while searching for the documentary you referred to as well.
I have trackbacks turned on here but I believe because of the template, it doesn’t display. I’ll look in to that. In answer to your question though - yes.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:01 am
I believe this is it:
http://www.wnpt.net/appalachians/
http://www.sierraclub.org/appalachia/
But I’m not positive, I do remember the 1 I’m talking about being about more than just W.V. tho.
seems there are a few documentaries :/
February 26th, 2008 at 2:42 am
I’ve found quite a few documentaries myself.
If you open my posts individual html page the trackback links are at the bottom of the comments. I think it has always been there I just never paid any attention to it.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Thanks for all the info (and to the commenters, for the same!) I grew up with my Grandma telling all kinds of stories about the coal mine wars. We have such an interesting history! We have to preserve it!
February 26th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I agree Rebecca. I hate to see that history bull dozed over.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Just reading over my post about the Blair Mountain nomination, and I want to correct a mix-up of the facts on my part. It was Wes Harris who was the historian who yelled at the coal compnay lawyer, he’s alos the author of “When Miners March”. Dr. Harvard Ayers is an archaeologist who was also present that wiped up the floor with the amateur archaeologist that the company hired to rebutt the comments of Harvard Ayers.
Just thought I’d correct these misstatements on my part. Sorry for the mix-up. But the details remain the same!!
Matthew
February 29th, 2008 at 2:52 am
It sounds like you were present at this meeting it also sounds like I would have liked to have been.