History That Doesn't Suck

153: West Virginia’s Mine Wars: From Trouble in Matewan to the Battle of Blair Mountain


Listen Later

“I want to say make no settlement until they sign up that every bloody murderer of a guard has got to go.”


This is the story of the largest uprising in the United States since the Civil War.


As unions spread across the Progressive-Era United States, West Virginia mine owners manage to keep them out. They have some good reasons (tough margins) and some less savory ones … like their preference for an oppressive “mine guard system” in “company towns” that effectively removes civil government and private ownership, and reduces the American citizens working in their mines to serfdom. Mother Jones inspires the miners to push back. 


Over the course of a decade, that pushback turns bloody – especially in Mingo County. But the worst of it comes just after the Great War, as the miner’s hero, Police Chief Sid “Two Gun” Hatfield, is murdered in cold blood at McDowell County Courthouse. Now, all bets are off. 10,000 miners grab their guns, ready to get revenge and free incarcerated miners. But they’ll have to go through Sheriff Don Chafin’s forces first. The two sides clash at Blair Mountain as the US Army arrives with regiments and aviation squadrons.

____


Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and

  • go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations
  • join discussions in our Facebook community
  • get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette 
  • come see a live show
  • get HTDS merch
  • or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks.
  • To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    History That Doesn't SuckBy Prof. Greg Jackson

    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    5,298 ratings


    More shows like History That Doesn't Suck

    View all
    The History of WWII Podcast by Ray Harris Jr

    The History of WWII Podcast

    3,942 Listeners

    1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries Podcast by Jon Hagadorn  Podcast Host

    1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries Podcast

    1,669 Listeners

    This American President by This American President

    This American President

    704 Listeners

    History Unplugged Podcast by History Unplugged

    History Unplugged Podcast

    3,989 Listeners

    American History Tellers by Wondery

    American History Tellers

    18,947 Listeners

    Legends of the Old West by Black Barrel Media

    Legends of the Old West

    3,538 Listeners

    American Revolution Podcast by Michael Troy

    American Revolution Podcast

    929 Listeners

    American Scandal by Wondery

    American Scandal

    18,817 Listeners

    Infamous America by Black Barrel Media

    Infamous America

    2,870 Listeners

    The Wild West Extravaganza by The Wild West Extravaganza

    The Wild West Extravaganza

    665 Listeners

    American Elections: Wicked Game by Airship

    American Elections: Wicked Game

    3,165 Listeners

    HISTORY This Week by The HISTORY® Channel | Back Pocket Studios

    HISTORY This Week

    4,070 Listeners

    Key Battles of American History by Key Battles of American History

    Key Battles of American History

    881 Listeners

    History Daily by Airship | Noiser | Wondery

    History Daily

    1,964 Listeners

    American History Hit by History Hit

    American History Hit

    1,287 Listeners