1937 Harlan County Coal War Kentucky Magazine Page Bayonets Miners Pickets For Sale

This authentic original page from a 1937 magazine captures a pivotal moment in American labor history: the "Bloody Harlan" coal war in Harlan County, Kentucky. The main headline, "BAYONETS KEEP PICKETS AT BAY IN BLOODY HARLAN COUNTY'S LITTLE COAL WAR," sets the scene for a dramatic confrontation between National Guardsmen, company men, and striking miners. The striking image features armed Guardsmen with bayonets on railway tracks, overseeing or confronting civilians amidst the Appalachian landscape. This piece of ephemera offers a vivid glimpse into the intense labor disputes of the era, showcasing the struggle for union recognition and workers' rights.The page includes two additional poignant photographs: one depicting "A miner grins, shields timid woman as he quits for the day under heavy guard," and another titled "Hand in pocket, a miner stands off a picket (right) with a rock in his hand." The accompanying text details Governor Albert B. Chandler's order for National Guardsmen, the use of bayonets and machine guns against pickets, and the involvement of John L. Lewis and the C.I.O. This historical document provides rich context on the social and economic conditions of the 1930s, making it a compelling item for collectors of labor history, Kentuckyana, or vintage Americana.

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