Here at the Museum, we understand, honor, and value the fact that the Mine Wars were a multi-racial fight for fair labor in the mountains of West Virginia. While its important to uplift these voices, people, and stories year round, here are some that we wanted to share with you this month.
Carter G. Woodson
Known as the "Father of Black History," Carter G. Woodson is one of the first people we think of during Black History Month, but did you know he lived in West Virginia and worked as a coal miner?
Carter seen and was subject to the abuse mine workers were exposed to in the early 1900's, and went on to get his education, leading to the establishment of Black History Month, celebrated every February since 1976.
Memphis Tennessee Garrison
Memphis Tennessee Garrison grew up a coal miner's daughter in Gary, WV. Activist, organizer of the NAACP, and mediator at U.S Steele miners, Garrison made an indelible mark on Black history in West Virginia. Today, we remember and honor her contributions to the Black mining community of West Virginia.
The home of Memphis Tennessee Garrison, located in Huntington, West Virginia, is now owned by the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Foundation, and will open up as a civil rights and Black history museum in the near future.
Columbus Avery
Columbus Avery was an Oklahoma native, but lived in Mingo County, WV, for most of his life. Columbus lived to be close to 112 years old, and was a strong organizer for the UMWA at any mines he found himself working.
Columbus retired from the mines at 74 years old, but that decision wasn't an easy one to make. Columbus suffered from black lung, and his doctor told the mine supervisor that Columbus wouldn't live 6 more months under ground. The supervisor strongly suggested that Columbus retire, and his career as a coal miner ended after half a century. Columbus holds the title of the oldest pensioner of the United Mine Workers of America.
Ada “Bricktop” Smith
Ada Beatrice Queen Victoria Louise Virginia Smith, commonly known as "Bricktop," was born in Anderson, WV, on 1894. By the time she was 16 years old, Ada joined a vaudeville group of African American performers who were touring across the Midwest.
She was most well-known for performing in and owning European night clubs, as well as entertaining many famous names including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Cole Porter, and many more. Bricktop went on to become one of the most legendary and enduring figures of twentieth-century American cultural history.
John and Mary Brown
In 1906, John and Mary Brown moved from Virginia to Matewan, WV, after John earned his degree from Lynchburg Seminary College. The pair opened up the state's first minority owned dry-cleaning business in 1910, and operated it until they both retired in 1963.
The Browns were well respected in Matewan, and were very active in the community. To honor their contributions to the town, the senior citizens center of Matewan now bears Mary's name.
Dan Chain
Dan Chain, also known as "Few-Clothes" Johnson, was a prominent organizer during the Paint Creek and Cabin Creek Strike. It is also believed that Dan Chain was one of the "Dirty Eleven," a select group of commandos that used armed resistance against the coal companies.
Chain was arrested during one of the declarations of martial law and sent to the Moundsville Penitentiary, being pardoned in 1913. Dan Chain was portrayed by James Earl Jones' character "Few Clothes" in the movie Matewan.
