An outbreak in West Virginia’s Cabin Creek coal field resulted in the destruction of the Ohley Coal Company stables by fire, with militia forces clashing with attackers during the attempted arson of other facilities.
Things were wild back when workers once fought for their rights to better work conditions, fair pay, and all the rights we are so willing to let go of in today’s world.
Strikers Set Fire to Mine Stables
CHARLESTON, West Virginia. 1912. — The expected outbreak in the Cabin Creek district of the Kanawha coal field, where 1200 West Virginia militiamen, under command of Maj. James Pratt, are maintaining martial law, came today, when the stables of the Ohley Coal Company at Ohley were destroyed by fire and an attempt was made to fire the tipple of the same company.
25 militiamen from Clarksburg company, under command of Lieutenant Cochrane, drove off the men, and it is believed that some were wounded.
Lieutenant Cochrane and his men fought the stable fire for half an hour, but the building had been fired at so many points that it was impossible to save it or its contents, including 14 horses and mules.
Letters found at the office of the Mucklow Coal Company and in the house of a number of employees warned the company and men that if the mine was started or if the men attempted to go to work, the buildings will be dismantled and the works blown up. No effort has been made to start the mine.
Governor Glasscock’s commission investigating conditions in the Paint Creek and Cabin Creek sections resumed its labors here today, with Bishop J.S. Donahue of Wheeling presiding.
Source: The Salt Lake tribune. (Salt Lake City, Utah), 14 Sept. 1912.
