Credit: Library of Congress
Media type: poster
Museum Number: LC-USZC4-5711
Annotation: The West Virginia coal mine wars lasted from 1912-1921. Coal companies took control over the towns of West Virginia and the people living there, often forcing them to sell their land. Houses, hospitals, stores and churches were considered coal company property, and the coal company designed their own money and system of spending to keep the miners dependent on the company. Eventually, union organizers rallied the miners to come together to fight for their rights.

This illustration shows a miner flanked by a rifle-yielding soldier. Behind the soldier stands President Harding and the owner of a coal mine.
Year: 1921