From the WEST VIRGINIA MINE WARS MUSEUM Did you know that today is the 101st Anniversary of the Battle of Matewan? It was a historic shoot out that left ten men dead or dying in the streets: seven mine guards, two union miners, and Mayor Cabell Testerman. On the morning of May 19, 1920, mine guards arrived in Matewan to evict miners out of their company-owned housing. The Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency had been privately hired by Stone Mountain Coal Company to carry out the evictions and keep miners from unionizing. Ruby Aliff, daughter of union-miner Ben Mounts, recalled the evictions at Stone Mountain coal camp during a 1989 oral history. The mine guards "set their stoves out onto that railroad. Kettle of beans cooking right on it.” When the mine guards arrived back in Matewan, they were met by Sid Hatfield, Mayor Cabell Testerman, and armed union miners. In a region dominated by coal company-controlled politicians, media, and private police, Sid Hatfield stood out as a lawman who protected the miners rather than safeguarding corporate interests. Hatfield attempted to arrest Al Felts for illegally evicting residents of his town, Al Felts then attempted to arrest Hatfield. As the confrontation escalates, shots are fired. 101 years later, it’s still unclear today who fired the first shot. This event inspired the 1987 John Sayles Film, Matewan. Following the Battle of Matewan, Hatfield and others were charged with murder and would later face trial in January of 1921 in Williamson. During their trial, fifty state police and forty mine guards patrolled the streets. Sid Hatfield and the miners (pictured below) were acquitted. |
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During the Battle of Matewan's centennial anniversary last year, we created a virtual tour last year that unveils this history in great detail, “Matewan Unscripted,” told by residents who are preserving and sharing this history today. You can watch it by clicking here >>. Photograph and graphic source: West Virginia and Regional History Center and the Hellraisers Journal. |
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