Acknowledgments

I owe particular thanks to two native West Virginians who tilled the same fields before me, David Alan Corbin, now an aide to West Virginia Senator Robert C. Byrd, and Rebecca J. Bailey, now an assistant professor in history at the State University of West Georgia. The influence of their works on my own book is evident from the numerous citations in the reference notes. But in addition, along with encouragement and advice, Corbin supplied leads to a number of valuable sources. Bailey went to the great trouble of photocopying original material she had used for her dissertation for my use.

Joseph McCartin, Georgetown University labor historian, took time away from his own forthcoming book to read portions of this manuscript and make immensely helpful suggestions. The enthusiasm of Steve Catalano, my editor at Westview, and the steadfast counsel of my agent, Carl Barndt, made this book possible.

Similarly generous was Michael Workman of West Virginia University Institute for the History of Technology and Industrial Archeology who sent me a copy of the Institute’s report on the Battle of Blair Mountain, which he had helped compile. My debt to the West Virginia University library goes back nearly four decades to 1964, when Charles Shetler, curator of the library’s regional history collection, loaned to my local library, in Maplewood, N.J., the microfilm transcripts of the miners’ treason trials so I could begin research on this work. Similar courtesies have been extended me by current members of the library staff, particularly Delilah Board, who made it possible to get the striking photos that illustrate the book.

Among others who went out of their way with various kinds of assistance were Gordon Simmons, cultural program officer for the West Virginia Arts Commission, Joe Geiger, assistant director of West Virginia history and archives, who sent me numerous back copies of that estimable publication West Virginia History, and Jim Zoia, aide to West Virginia Representative Nick Rahal, who managed to get me a copy of the 1921 Senate hearings on West Virginia’s labor troubles. David Yepsen, of the Des Moines Register dug deep into his papers’ morgue to find background on Iowa Senator William Kenyon.

The labors of Brandy Saverese, who researched the Jett Lauck papers at the Alderman Library of the University of Virginia, and Gena Wagaman, who collected relevant material from the treason trial transcripts at West Virginia University Library saved me precious time.

I benefited from the steady moral support of my daughters, Amelia Ford Shogan and Cynthia Diane Shogan. Cindy also put me in touch with Kevin Mack, who created the fine map to help guide the reader through the long struggle. My wife, Ellen Shrewsbury Shogan, read every page of this manuscript with a discerning eye and perhaps more important provided the encouragement and understanding that helped me complete ten previous books and have enriched my life for more than forty years.