Hawk’s Nest Strike – First Strike in West Virginia
The year 1880 marked a pivotal moment in the history of labor relations in West Virginia. The Hawks Nest Coal Company strike, occurring in January of that year, holds the distinction of being the first of numerous coal mining strikes that would punctuate the state’s industrial landscape. This initial labor dispute not only highlighted the tensions brewing between coal operators and miners but also set a precedent for how future conflicts would be handled, often involving the intervention of state militia forces.
The Rise of Coal Mining in the New River Gorge
Following the completion of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad in 1873, the New River Gorge region surrounding Ansted experienced a surge in coal mining operations. Among these early ventures was the Hawks Nest mine. In 1872, Dr. David T. Ansted and George W. Imboden established the Gauley-Kanawha Coal Company. The following year, they inaugurated a mine nestled below the summit of Gauley Mountain. By 1875, the company underwent a name change, becoming the Hawks Nest Coal Company.
To efficiently transport the extracted coal, a system of mine car tramways was implemented. These tramways facilitated the movement of coal from Ansted down to the railroad cars located at the bottom of the gorge, streamlining the process and enhancing productivity.
The Spark of Discontent
The strike was ignited by a confluence of factors, primarily the perceived unfair competition from non-union workers at the Hawks Nest mine. Miners in Coal Valley (now Montgomery), represented by their union, voiced their grievances to the operators, claiming that the presence of non-union labor at Hawks Nest was undermining their wages and working conditions.
Driven by these concerns, the Coal Valley miners took direct action. They confronted the miners at Hawks Nest, effectively halting their work. Moreover, they issued threats of bodily harm if the Hawks Nest miners dared to return to their jobs. This act of intimidation escalated the situation, prompting intervention from local authorities.
The Response: Militia Intervention
William Nelson Page, the mine manager at Hawks Nest, faced with the escalating conflict, turned to Fayette County Sheriff C. H. McClung for assistance. However, Sheriff McClung, wary of potential voter backlash, hesitated to intervene directly. Instead, he appealed to Governor Henry Mason Mathews, requesting the deployment of the state militia to restore order.
Governor Mathews responded by activating a militia company from Charleston. On January 12, 1880, West Virginia National Guard troops were dispatched to Hawks Nest with the mission of defusing the volatile situation. The arrival of the National Guard proved to be a decisive factor, as the presence of armed troops effectively quelled the immediate conflict.
Legal Repercussions and Lasting Impact
Following the intervention of the National Guard, several Coal Valley miners faced legal consequences for their actions. They were charged in Fayette County Civil Court with intimidation and unlawful interference with the Hawks Nest miners. The court placed them under a peace bond, a legal mechanism designed to ensure their future good behavior.
The Hawks Nest strike holds a significant place in West Virginia’s labor history due to its status as the first instance in which the state militia was deployed to suppress a coal mine strike. This event established a precedent for handling future labor disputes in the coalfields. The practice of using the militia to quell strikes would be repeated in subsequent years, including notable instances in 1894, 1902, and 1912.
Notable Figures and Their Later Roles
Several individuals involved in the Hawks Nest strike went on to achieve prominence in various fields. Emanuel Willis "Windy" Wilson, a lawyer who defended the strikers in the Fayette County circuit court, later served as the governor of West Virginia. Major John W. M. Appleton, the militia commander at Hawks Nest, had previously served as a white officer in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, a renowned black regiment in the Civil War. Appleton later became the West Virginia adjutant general.
Recognizing the strategic advantage of having a local militia company to control potential strikers, William Nelson Page, the Hawks Nest mine manager, took the initiative to form Company C of the 2nd Regiment of the West Virginia National Guard. He also served as its captain, further solidifying his influence in the region.
Legacy
The Hawks Nest strike, though relatively short-lived, left an indelible mark on the history of labor relations in West Virginia. It marked the beginning of a long and often turbulent struggle between coal miners and operators, characterized by strikes, violence, and the intervention of state authorities. The use of the militia to suppress the strike set a precedent that would be repeated in future labor disputes, shaping the dynamics of the coal industry in West Virginia for decades to come.
The strike also highlighted the complex interplay of economic, social, and political factors that influenced labor relations in the late 19th century. The competition between union and non-union workers, the role of local and state authorities, and the emergence of prominent figures from the conflict all contributed to the rich tapestry of West Virginia’s industrial history.
See Also
- Mining on the American Frontier
- West Virginia Coal Mining
- West Virginia Coal Mine Disasters
- West Virginia Mine Wars