Matewan, W. Va, and some related questions

[ngant17]

I just saw the movie movie, "Matewan", (1987), starring James
Earl Jones who plays the role of a imported scab who switches sides and joins the miners' union. That story was based upon the real events of the largest armed uprising on American soil since the Civil War. The massacre between workers, the miner bosses and their thugs at this small town, Matewan, West Virginia, the shoot-out at the end of the movie between these courageous W. Va. hillbillies and the company's hired guns, this event more or less started the 1920's coal miner war,

I would say that in the movie this was pretty well done. The bad guys
really took the hit by the workers. I was cheering the good guys (and gals) on.

I haven't read "The Battle of Blair Mountain - The Story of America's Largest Labor Uprising", by Robert Shogan, but I understand it is a more factual and historic account of the same event, close to
ten thousand West Virginia coal miners, enraged over the continual brutality and exploitation, picked up their shotguns and Winchesters and marched against their oppressors in 1921.

Years ago, I once visited some relatives in West Virginia, and it was
pointed out to me, as we drove past Charleston, you could see the state capitol building from the interstate highway, there is this bright, shining pure-gold dome on top the its building. It's quite lovely from a distance, but why the millionaire/billionaire Dem. Jay Rockefeller wanted to do this, I don't know, maybe it has some kind symbolic value there. To make the people feel like they are worth something? And why would anyone in the Rockefeller dynasty want to be a governor over such a poor state when he could take his pick from more cosmopolitan places like New York or California? Does he want to keep the masses in check?

I'm from Florida, but I would like to read some feedback on what West Virginian's think of the role of union organizing, worker exploitation, how the people look at their quality of life here, ect. especially based on the historical conditions which were reflected to some extent in the movie, "Matewan". Are the mining corporations all that bad today in W. Va? Are Rupugs a force to be reckoned with here?

[two gun sid]

1. Blair Mountain happened after Sid Hatfield was killed ...

on the steps of the McDowell County Courthouse.
My father was born in a coal camp in Fayette Co. WVA. My grandfather was a union miner as was his father. My great grandfather was involved in the Mine Wars of the 1920's.
As for the coal companies today they are different but not better. No more little ones only a couple of giant corps run the coal industry now. They fight the miners tooth and nail over every issue. They use the laws and economics to screw the union miners. The Bush Admin have gutted Mine Safety. They do a lot more strip mining now which really scars the land and creates hazards for people living in the 'hollers'.
Jay Rockefeller came to WVA as a VISTA volunteer and parlayed that into a political career. I kinda like his politics though.
Repugs are a force in WVA and WVA went repug in 2000 and 2004. Mostly on 'values' and guns I think.

My family took that Hillbilly Highway north and I never had to contend with the working conditions in WVA. After listening to my paw-paws stories about the mines I thank god everyday that they did leave.

[Arbustosux]

2. thats one of my favorite movies

Many years ago I took a whitewater rafting trip down the New River. The guide pointed out the town used to film Matewan. I can't remember the name but it was famous for being the only town without a road in it. It looked almost the same as it did in the movie!

[two gun sid]

3. The town is Thurmond. n/t

[wallybarron]

4. Coal Companies

http://www.ohvec.org/galleries/mountaintop_removal/007/index.html

Please take a look at these photos and others on this web site. This will show you what "Big Coal" is doing to WV.

Massey Coal just bought themselves a state Supreme Court judge. This was one of the dirties political campaigns in the history of WV and will have horrible environmental consequences.

[Staph]

5. Gilding of the Capitol Dome

Just as an oh-by-the-way, the West Virginia Capitol dome was gilded when it was built in the 1930s. The gilding was done badly and had to be done over several times.

IRIC, in the 1970s, when Rockefeller was governor, the dome again needed to be gilded, but due to lack of funds, it was decided to paint the dome in gold and blue. However, paint doesn't last nearly as long as gold leaf. If you look at the cost of repainting frequently versus the cost of gilding infrequently, gilding turns out to be cheaper in the long run. Don't blame this one on Jay!

[ngant17]

6. W. Va comments

Well now, after seeing the movie and especially after reading some comments from you who have their roots in West Va., I have a lot of respect for you West Virginians. Also I think Sen. Robert Byrd is the greatest! I wish we could be blessed with a leader of his calibre down here in Florida some day.

When I visit my relatives in southwest Virginia (in Catawba, which is near Blacksburg, Va.), we always cross the New River, it's a beautiful view over the highway bridge, it's actually a very old river, according to what they tell me. I didn't know it goes thru W. Va, although that should be apparent to me if I just look at it on a map. Given the beauty of that place, I think it is horrifying what the mining corporations are doing with strip mining on the mountains. They're probably doing just as much of this stuff on the other side in Virginia, too. It's hard for us little guys to fight these giant corporations, especially when the Repugs get justices to work for on their side.

BTW my first name, Nathan, that came from my grandfather (on my mother's side), a West Virginian who was named Nathan Damewood, born there in 1886 but he moved to nearby Catawba, Virginia after he married my grandmother who was born and lived all her life in Catawba.

Whenever I get a chance to visit this area, I always try to get a copy of the New River Free Press, a really nice progressive community paper that is published in Blacksburg, VA. A real alternative to corporate controlled press. Highly recommended, I hope they distribute it over there in West Va. too. It helps me to get a sense of the strong progressive culture which is established here in SW Virginia.

[newyawker99]

7. Hi Staph!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: