Christmas Eve, 1932 ~ Tragedy in Moweaqua

Coal mining was an extremely hazardous job in the U.S. during the first half of the 20th century. The Christmas holiday marked a dark day for Illinois mining in 1932. On the morning of Christmas Eve, an underground methane gas explosion took the lives of 54 miners.

"Families of miners, sober faced and dry eyed, waited Saturday,
not for Christmas and the coming of Santa Claus, but for mine rescue
workers to reach their fathers and older brothers." ~ Moweaqua News
photo courtesy of Moweaqua Public Library

The Moweaqua Mine was among those newly organized by the Progressive Miners. While donations poured in from across the state, Mark Sorenson notes: "John L. Lewis, head of the United Mine Workers, sent a check for $4000 (some reported $1000) that was refused by the Moweaqua Progressive Miner Union. They thought it was hypocritical to send money while the UMW was instigating beatings and killings of PMWA members just a few miles away where the PMWA were striking." Although the union rejected the donation, it was accepted by local relief committee.

The Moweaqua Public Library District has created a great site on the history of coal mining in the town - Mining More In Moweaqua.

Here's a two-minute trailer from a documentary produced on the disaster.

A limited number of DVD's of the film are available from the library.

Freeman United Coal Company Accused of Repeated Clean Water Act Violations

Here's a link to an article by Jeff Biggers at Huffington Post on the effort of central Illinois environmentalists to hold Freemen United Coal Company accountable for violations of the Clean Water Act.

Grindstone Creek, a waterway near the
strip mine is polluted with mine waste.

According to the article, whether or not the company is responsible for the mess isn't in question. The Heart of Illinois Group Sierra Club asserts Freeman Coal's records show that its strip mine has broken the law hundreds of times in the last five years"

In an all-too-familiar pattern, those in government charged with ensuring that laws are enforced in order to protect the public and the environment turn a blind eye to gross violations. Instead members of the public are left on their own to hold offenders accountable, in this case through expensive law suits.

You can lend your support to this effort. Contact the following groups to learn more:

Sierra Club - Heart of Illinois Group

Prairie Rivers Network

Environmental Law and Policy Center

The BBC Reports on Clean Coal

Here's the link to a new report from the BBC - Clean Coal: Fool's Gold or the Bright Future?



The story raises a number of important issues. First, the costs to implement carbon capture may make coal prohibitively expensive - that is if it works. Further, industry representatives and Energy Department acknowledge that widespread use of the technology isn't likely to be seen until 2030.

So even if it works and is economically feasible, it's deployment may occur too late to slow global warming. Why are we doing this?

Mine War Site ~ Superior No. 4

©2009 Greg Boozell

Former site of Superior Mine No. 4 in Wilsonville, IL. On May 21, 1937, 540 PMA miners called an underground sit-down strike.

The week-long strike was called to protect "share of time" provisions. The striking miners demanded the right to protect one another from the loss of jobs caused by mechanization. If full-time workers could share their hours, layoffs could be prevented and miners could at least earn sustenance wages.

Bill Campion, a member of the strike committee proclaimed, "We demand the right to share our poverty with our fellow workers."

From The National Archives

Image taken from 1937 federal court records at the National Archives in Chicago.

©2009 Greg Boozell

34 members of the Progressive Miners and 2 others were convicted of interfering with the U.S. mail and conspiracy to violate the Sherman Anti-Trust Act.

In These Times Highlights Mine War Project

Writing for the In These Times blog, Working, contributing editor Kari Lyderson was kind enough to highlight this project.



After you read the post, don't forget to check out Kari's latest book, Revolt On Goose Island. The book documents the successful struggle of UE members employed by Republic Windows and Doors to win a settlement from the company's creditor, Bank of America. The worker's strategic campaign included a factory occupation which garnered international public support.

Cherry Mine Centennial Commemoration

On November 13, 1909, a fire broke out at the Cherry Mine in northern Illinois. Of the 450 miners working underground, 259 men and boys succumbed to flames and smoke. The labor force was predominantly composed of immigrant workers. As with most industrial accidents, the Cherry Mine disaster was avoidable. The calamity inspired public outrage, resulting in a new workman's compensation law and stronger mine safety regulations.

259 people were killed in the Cherry mine disaster.

On November 14-15, the Village of Cherry will commemorate the disaster and the miners. A full weekend of ceremonies is planned, free and open to the public. Featured speakers and performers include UMWA Vice President Steve Earl, and singer and labor historian, Bucky Halker. Walking tours of the cemetery and mine site will also be conducted.

Here's a download link to a PDF flyer for the event.

Here's a short video on the disaster:

[ Download ]

In Memorium ~ John Sigler (1935 - 2009)

I was saddened to learn of the passing of John Sigler on October 16. In addition to being featured in the upcoming documentary, John was a great supporter and resource for this project. You might recall that John's father Joe, was killed in the mine war in 1934.

My condolences to John's family for their loss. He was a great guy.

John Sigler at the grave site of his father
Joe, a mine war martyr. Godspeed, John.

Here's the obituary from the Peoria Journal Star

HANNA CITY - John F. Sigler, 74, a native of Bulpitt, Ill., and a resident of Hanna City, Ill., passed away Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, at the residence of his daughter.

John was born April 23, 1935, in Bulpitt, Ill., to Joseph and Francis (Simmons) Sigler.

He is survived by his son, Michael of Peoria, Ill.; daughter, Angela (Greg) Ruchotzke; grandchildren, Joshua, Emily and Jacob, all of Hanna City, Ill.; and brother, David of Tampa, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and two brothers.

John retired from Caterpillar in 1999.

He was a member of St. Rita's Catholic Church in Kincaid, Ill.

John had a strong sense of civic duty and was a member of the Optimist Club, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus and VFW. He received the Silver Beagle Award from the Boy Scouts of America in honor of his 28 years in scouting.

John was a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served from 1954 to 1958 and received the Air Force Commendation Medal for service above and beyond and further served from 1960 to 1961 in the Air National Guard.

John was actively involved in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Div. 8, in East Peoria, Ill., for the past 20 years.

John was a loving father and grandfather who enjoyed working on his boat and spending time with his grandchildren. His friendship and desire to help others was appreciated by many.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Farmington, with a funeral Mass following at 11 a.m. Father John Verrier will be officiating. Burial will follow in Trivoli Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Anderson-Sedgwick Funeral Home, Farmington, Ill., is in charge of arrangements.

To submit online condolences, you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com.

"It's like we're living in a war zone"

Mine wars come in different forms. In the late 19th and early 20th century they were often shooting wars. But as Jeff Biggers in The Nation reports, coal operators are now waging an environmental war against West Virginians. Mountaintop removal mining is often the preferred method for coal operators because it's cheaper to perform than underground mining. That is until one calculates the health and environmental costs.

Mountaintop Removal Mining - Hardly a benign practice.

Biggers writes on a recent study by West Virginia University researcher Michael Hendryx: "'The coal industry generates a little more than $8 billion a year in economic benefits for the Appalachian region,' but the researchers also estimated the cost of premature mining-related deaths across the Appalachian coalfields at a yearly average of $42 billion.'"

The all too common corporate practice of privatizing profits while socializing cost is quite apparent here. Biggers also underscores the odious and cozy relationship between the coal industry and government officials. Even in the face of the overwhelming evidence of the harmful effects of this mountaintop removal, state and federal government officials have been slow to protect the public, and others, like West Virginia Democratic Representative Nick Rahall have worked aggressively to protect the coal operators' interests.

The Charleston Gazette's Ken Ward is also cited in Bigger's article and I encourage you follow his blog, Coal Tatoo for excellent reporting on this issue.

Finally, Jeff Biggers is the author of a new book, Reckoning at Eagle Creek: The Secret Legacy of Coal in the Heartland, forthcoming from Nation Books and available for pre-order. I look forward to reviewing that book here soon.

Civic Unionism: An Interview with Rosemary Feurer

Northern Illinois Unversity Prof. Rosemary Feurer is a friend to this project and great labor historian and activist. Political Affairs Magazine recently published this interview with her.

In the interview, Rosemary discusses her latest book, Radical Unionism in the Midwest, 1900-1950. The publisher notes the book "examines the fierce battles between Midwestern electrical workers and bitterly anti-union electrical and metal industry companies during the 1930s and 40s. Organized as District 8 of the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers (UE) and led by open Communist William Sentner, workers developed a style of unionism designed to confront corporate power and to be a force for social transformation in their community and nation."

Click on the book cover to order
the book from Powell's

In the interview Feurer describes a broader conception of union organizing known as "civic unionism...It is the idea that the union should reflect workers’ interests, their class interests, and that it should also integrate race and gender issues as an extension of those class interests."

She adds, "capital organizes at the local level, just as they do at the global level, that they need that spatial control. And they [the UE] came...to say that we workers need to control our turf, and that I think is representative of class consciousness and of the power relationships."

Campaign For Mother Jones and Eugene Debs Postage Stamps

The West Virginia Labor History Association board of directors has unanimously voted to support a nationwide campaign to petition the U.S Postal Service to create commemorative stamps in honor of two American labor leaders - Mother Jones and Eugene Debs. They are doing this in collaboration with Sanford Berman, a leading activist and librarian from Minnesota.

Rupert Garcia's 1989 silkscreen "Mother Jones"
would provide ideal artwork for an MJ postage stamp.

Mr. Berman, as a world-renowned expert on libraries and labor history, has been waiting decades for a commemorative stamp for Mother Jones and Eugene Debs. Many people believe that such stamps have already been issued. They have not.

The WVLHA and Mr. Berman are asking everyone to write the U.S. Postal Service to request stamps be printed in honor of Mother Jones and Eugene Debs.

Please join us in honoring American labor leaders by sending a letter or postcard.:

Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee:
Stamp Development;
U.S. Postal Service
1735 North Lynn St. Rm. 5013
Arlington, VA.22209-6432

You may obtain a copy of a pre-formatted letter by clicking here.

Mr. Berman is also requesting that if you do, send him a copy at -

Sanford Berman
4400 Morningside Road
Edina, MN 55416
952- 925-5738

For more information:

Steve Fesenmaier
West Virginia Labor History Association
907 Churchill Circle
Charleston, WV 25314
304-345-5850
mystery12@charter.net

Mapping The Mine War

Part of this documentary project is to the map locations of significant events of the Illinois mine war. Thus far I've included information on events in Springfield, the Midland Tract, and the famous Mulkeytown March. You'll find text, photos and even video linked to the various locations.

View Illinois Mine War in a larger map

More to come.

Mine War Site - Peabody No. 7

Former site of Peabody No. 7 mine in Kincaid, IL which was active from 1912 to 1952. Mass picketing occurred here during the mine war. In 1933, PMA Women's Auxilliary member, Emma Cumerlato was shot and killed a few dozen yards from here.

Emma Cumerlato

"Coal Country" Premieres in West Virginia

A new film entitled, COAL COUNTRY will premiere today at the Cultural Center of the Capitol Complex in Charleston West Virginia.

The film's web site describes the piece as "the dramatic struggle around the use of coal, which provides over half the electricity in America. In Appalachia, miners and residents are locked in conflict: is mining and processing coal essential to providing good jobs, or is it destroying the land, water and air? What does this mean for the rest of America and the world?"

Here's the trailer:

Although originally scheduled to premiere at the LaBelle Theater in South Charleston, the film had to find a new venue when the board of canceled the screening because of a “potential security concern". These concerns were spurred by the threats of the coal industry to have their followers out in force to picket the event. You can read more about this from Jeff Biggers at the Huffington Post.

You may also host a screening of the film in your community. Go to the COAL COUNTRY web site to learn how.

Mine War Site - Peabody Mine No. 8

Former site of Peabody Mine No. 8 in Tovey, IL which was active from 1914 to 1954.

Mass picketing occurred here during the mine war. The state militia intervened on behalf of the coal company and the United Mine Workers to break the picket line.

Mine War Site - Peabody Mine No. 58

Former site of Peabody Mine No. 58 in Hewitville, IL. The mine was active from 1901 - 1952.

Mass picketing occurred here during the mine war. While the PMA was able to close the mine, eventually the picket line was broken with the help of the militia.

Gone Progressive

Recently I had the opportunity to visit UMWA District 12 headquarters in Springfield, IL. While most of their historically relevant files are archived at Penn State University, District 12 does hold a partial card file which lists the union's locals during the time of the mine war.

Here's a video which shows one of the files:

One can see the word, "Progressive" handwritten next to each local that seceded from the UMWA.

According to the Decatur Herald, the Progressive Miners of America claimed to represent 34,000 of the state's 45,000 union miners when it was founded in September, 1932.

Thanks to the UMWA's Lisa Andrew for sharing this interesting find.

Looking For John L. Lewis

I recently visited Lewis grave accompanied by UMWA retiree, Larry Wilson, a long-time resident of Springfield who was unaware that Lewis was buried there. While the Mother Jones Monument in the tiny town of Mt. Olive is internationally renown, the location of John L. Lewis' grave site is relatively obscure. The lack of a grandiose monument seems to parallel the low profile Lewis adopted after retiring as head of the United Mine Workers in 1960.

John L. Lewis grave site. The sign in the foreground was added in recent years.

Lewis is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, IL, the same cemetery which provides the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln. Lewis' death in 1969 generated little interest or anguish.

In it's June 13, 1969 obituary, the New York Times commented:

"The death of the most dynamic, the most constructive, and surely the most colorful of American trade union chiefs has aroused no such emotions - for the simple reason that Lewis' era has since long passed; for fifteen years, at least, he and his works have belonged to history. To say this is in no way to belittle the founded of the C.I.O., but to comment, further, on the swiftness with which history moves in these times, rendering big men and bigger movements 'irrelevant' to the young and nostalgic even to the middle-aged."



For those interested in visiting, click here for a map with directions to the grave.

Blair Mountain Update

There have been some promising developments in the struggle to protect Blair Mountain and suspend mountaintop mining in the Appalachian Mountains. You can learn more about the historical importance of Blair Mountain by clicking here.

On Tuesday, March 24, Ilovemountains.org reported: "the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would suspend and review permits for two mountaintop removal coal mining operations — and put hundreds more mountaintop coal-mining permits on hold until it can evaluate their impact on our nation’s streams and wetlands."

In addition, the Charleston Gazette's excellent blog, Coal Tattoo reports, "the National Register of Historic Places has approved the long-sought nomination of Blair Mountain, site of the historic coal-mining labor battle in Logan County, W.Va., to the National Register."

There has been some controversy following the announcement. Initially it was reported that West Virginia state government had petitioned to have Blair Mountain removed from the list and federal protection. Since then the West Virginia Division of Culture and History denied that such a petition was filed.

Governor Manchin asserts that the rights of property owners trump historical preservation. I suspect those property owners are either coal operators or those who wish to profit from them.

Rep. Rahall and Rep. Capito support the protection of Blair Mountain. Remaining federal representatives including Senator Byrd and Senator Rockefeller have taken no public position.

More to come.

Centralia Mine Disaster

Here's a late post to commemorate the Centralia Mine Disaster. The mine exploded on March 25, 1947, in Centralia, Illinois killing 111 miners.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor reported:

"The explosion was caused when an underburdened shot or blown-out shot ignited coal dust. The mine was exceedingly dry and dusty. Heavy deposits of coal dust were present along the roadways and on the roof, ribs, and timbers in working places and entries. At the time of the explosion most of the men were at the man trips on the entries waiting for the shot firers to complete lighting the shots so they could ride to the shaft bottoms on the man trips. At the time of the explosion 142 men were in the mine. Of those, 65 were killed by burns and violence and 45 by afterdamp. Eight men were rescued but one died from the effects of afterdamp. Twenty-four escaped unaided."

UMWA President, John L. Lewis testified before Congress on the disaster. Here's a short video clip of some of his testimony:

Following the disaster UMWA President John L. Lewis invoked the union's right to call memorial days. The miners did not work for six days, beginning March 29, 1947.

In United We Stand: The United Mine Workers of America 1890-1990, Maier B. Fox writes, "The disaster was of such magnitude that both the House and Senate held committee hearings on mine safety. Lewis used those forums to castigate both the operators and the government. He told the representatives that historically the operators philosophy was, 'We kill them, you (the union) provide for their widows and orphans.'"

Lewis' leadership on mine safety during this time is one of the reasons he was held in such high esteem by many miners. In some ways, his actions then make an assessment of his career difficult.

Undoubtedly Lewis was an autocrat that had little use for democratic mechanisms to govern a union. And there seemed to be no limits to the actions he would take to consolidate and hold power. The names of the PMA martyrs etched on the side of the Mother Jones Monument are testament to how dangerous it could be to oppose him.

While he contributed greatly to the growth of industrial unionism through the formation of the CIO, Lewis' need for control ensured top-down structures which left workers reliant on the paternalistic favor of union leaders and bureaucratic processes of the legal system for protection, rather than building rank and file power through democratic unions.

As the decades wore on those legal protections eroded. Arguably those bureaucratic processes now do more to serve business interests, undercutting the rights of workers to speak, organize and act.

That being said Lewis' leadership in the 1940's resulted improved mine safety as well as a welfare and retirement fund. The Centralia Mine Disaster provided the catalyst to force the government to act and the mining industry to acquiesce. The UMWA Welfare and Retirement Fund continues to this day.

Here's Woodie Guthrie's "Dying Miner", to commemorate the tragedy.
Provided courtesy of the excellent Archive.org.

Eyewitness Account of the Mulkeytown March

Last year I was lucky enough to interview Sam Sabattini, a former resident of Bulpitt, IL as well as former member of the Progressive Miners of America. As a teenager Sabatinni participated in a number of union actions and witnessed mine war violence first-hand.


Following the fradulent contract referendum, west central Illinois miners organized a mass march to southern Illinois to join with their union brothers in the south.

On August 25, 1932, the Decatur Herald & Review reported: "Handbills urging union miners in this section to cease work and meet members of the army of miners from central and northern Illinois were dropped from an airplane over the coal fields and towns of Franklin county Thursday morning.

The text of the handbills: 'Miners of southern Illinois: "All out today. "Meet your 25,000 union brothers at the Franklin county line. "They have come to aid you to put an end to the gunman rule and terrorism which is being used to force you to work under a wage scale you have twice rejected. The miners of the whole district are with you. Down your tools today. Policy Committee, District No. 12. U.M.W.A.'"

Sabattini recalls: "The parade started in Christian County and they were gonna go down to West Frankfort and show the United Mine Workers a show of strength.

Well, between Du Quoin and Christopher there’s a little town called Mulkeytown, okay?

And the highway or the road between East Du Quoin and Mulkeytown was raised up because there was a drainage ditch on each side. Well, there was about 100 – or over 100 cars that were formulated from Springfield and they would pick up 10 or 15 cars as they went along.

The United Mine Workers down there let them get across the levy and then they opened up, not to kill. But I was riding in a car, a Model A Ford Wilshire with a fellow by the name of Red Rape and the United Mine Workers just shot into the door with pellets, not buckshot. But most every car that was there had bullet holes in the side door and Red turned that Model A around on the levy and away we went for home.

That was a harrowing experience. I was tickled to death to get the hell out of there."

Springfield Journal-Register On Sigler Debate

Thanks to Dave Bakke, columnist for the Springfield Journal-Register for his piece on the inclusion of Joe Sigler on the Illinois memorial for fallen police officers. You may read the full article here.

To my mind there's no doubt that Sigler should be included. It seems rather obvious that Sigler's protection was enlisted by Hugh Donnelly a member of the United Mine Workers, because Sigler was a police officer. And later that evening, Sigler sacrificed his life protecting Donnelly.

Joseph Sigler's badge & gun

There also seems to be some question of Sigler's occupation at the time of his death. During the mine war, it wasn't unusual for miners to also be deputized part-time law enforcement officers.

But for Sigler this wasn't the case. While Sigler had been a miner, the September 15, 1934 Taylorville Breeze-Courier reported: "Mr. Sigler was employed in the mines along the Midland for several years but for the last several months has been employed as special policeman at Bulpitt." Clearly his sole occupation at the time of his death was police officer.

And even though Sigler was a member of the Progressive Miners of America, his decision to protect UMWA member Donnelly demonstrated that Sigler valued life and civic duty above all. Too often the sensational violence of the mine war obscures the fact that a number of the founding members of the Progressive Miners were committed pacifists. To my mind, Sigler's actions were consistent with the methods set forth by those leaders as well as the basic tenets of community unionism.

Let's hope the overseers of the state memorial are wise enough to add Sigler's name to the monument. He earned it.

Sigler To Be Honored In Washington, D.C.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial will add the name of mine war martyr, Joseph Sigler on May 13. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund commemorates the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers.

Sigler served a unique role within the tiny community of Bulpitt, IL. While he was a miner and member of the Progressive Miners of America, he also worked for the village as a special police officer. I'll write more on this later, but suffice to say that it wasn't unusual for miners to be enlisted as law enforcement officers in these small communities. And at times, the law enforcement officers of a village could be at odds with the county sheriff or even the state militia.

Harry Jones and Joe Sigler are among those memorialized on the Mother Jones Monument in Mt. Olive, IL

On September 15, 1934, the Taylorville Breeze Courier editorialized, "The death of Joe Sigler, Bulpitt Special Policeman, yesterday adds another death to the uncalled for shooting out there early Monday morning and removes from that community another of its splendid citizens.

Harry Jones and Joe Sigler paid the price of their lives while trying to insure the safety of one of their local citizens...Sigler was a Progressive but he respected the rights of others who might differ in opinion with him."

Of course the conflict was rooted in far more than a difference of opinion, but Sigler's actions demonstrated that he valued life above all. And for me at least, his actions demonstrated that he adhered to the PMA's initial code of non-violence.

However, it's not clear that Sigler's sacrifice will be acknowledged by the Illinois Law Enforcement Memorial. While an event is scheduled for May 7 in Springfield, IL, Sigler's name has as yet to be added. Hopefully Illinois will accord the same honor to Sigler that the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial saw fit to bestow.

Who Killed Joe Sigler?

"Who shot Sigler and Jones? Whoever may know is not telling. The 'mine war' takes care of its own; and it makes good business for the undertakers."

Murder Stalks The Coal Field
Decatur Herald & Review
Februrary 10, 1935

Joe Sigler and Harry Jones were shot and killed on September 10, 1934 in a small coal mining town in downstate Illinois. The incident occurred in Bulpitt, a tiny village which barely covers four square blocks. But in 1934, this remote immigrant community found itself in the heart of a violent mine war.

Joe Sigler
(courtesy of Sigler family)

Although the loyalty of Taylorville miners was divided, nearby Bulpitt was firmly in the camp of the Progressive Miners. Hugh “Happy” Donnelly was among those strikers who initially defied Peabody Coal Company and the UMWA. However, a miner’s income was always precarious and the financial stress brought on by months of striking compelled Donnelly to cross the picket line and return to work.

Donnelly’s decision was not well-received in this close-knit community. According to press reports, in the early morning hours of September 10, 1934, tempers flared at the Hyde Park Beer Parlor, a neighborhood saloon. Bulpitt Special Police Officer, Joe Sigler was also present and witnessed the escalating tension. To avoid physical harm, Donnelly requested Sigler escort him to his home. Sigler agreed and he and his brother Frank walked Donnelly the few blocks to his house.

Reaching their destination minutes later, Donnelly pointed to bullet holes made that night on the front of his house. Neighbor Harry Jones joined them as Frank Sigler departed. Shortly after, shots were fired, hitting Jones and Joe Sigler. Jones died the next evening while Sigler succumbed to his wounds four days later.

The shootings were reported to the local sheriff and Donnelly was taken into custody although released a few hours later. While a coroner’s inquest was held on Sigler’s murder no one was ever indicted for the crime.

Protect Blair Mountain

The Battle of Blair Mountain was the largest armed insurrection in the U.S. following the Civil War. In 1921, 10,000 armed West Virginia coal miners marched against years of brutality and exploitation at the hands of mine owners and their lackey government officials.

After several days, the federal government intervened with disproportionate force, employing a bomber squadron commanded by Major General Billy Mitchell. Mitchell was eager to demonstrate the use of air power to quell domestic unrest.

The anti-union sheriff and state police reported over 30 dead while 50 -100 miners died in the conflict. Subsequently, 985 miners were indicted for "murder, conspiracy to commit murder, accessory to murder, and treason against the State of West Virginia."

Today the site of that famous battle is itself under threat. The same economic forces which drove the exploitation of West Virginia miners now decimates the landscape and poisons the ground water. The radical coal mining practice known as mountaintop removal also threatens to destroy the Blair Mountain battlefield and annihilate an important labor historical site.

In this short video, Kenny King of Friends of Blair Mountain details the threat to this national historic site.

There's a great organized effort to protect the Appalachian ecosystem. Through iLoveMountains.org, 7 grassroots organizations from 5 Appalachian states have come together to use cutting edge technology to inform and involve Americans in their efforts to save the mountains.

A common and false argument in favor of coal mining pits jobs and the local economy against environmental preservation. But as the web site Appalachian Voices points out, "According to the bureau of labor statistics, in the early 1950’s there were between 125,000 and 145,000 miners employed in West Virginia; in 2004 there were just over 16,000. During that time, coal production has increased."

The process to reduce the mining workforce has been ongoing for generations. Coal operators began to push labor-saving mechanization in the 1920's and today we see it in the industry's embrace of the mountaintop removal mining. Clearly job creation or preservation has nothing to mountaintop removal.

You can help today by writing to Congress in support of the Clean Water Protection Act. Across the Appalachian coalfields, more than 1200 miles of streams are now buried and destroyed by mountaintop removal. The Clean Water Protection Act is necessary to protect clean drinking water for many of our nation’s cities. The Clean Water Protection Act is also necessary to protect the quality of life for Appalachian coalfield residents who face frequent catastrophic flooding and pollution or loss of drinking water as a result of mountaintop removal.

You may also learn more about the famous labor uprising in Robert Shogan's 2004 book, The Battle of Blair Mountain: The Story of America's Largest Labor Uprising.