Battle of Evarts facts for kids
| Date | May 5, 1931 |
|---|---|
| Location | Evarts, Kentucky, United States |
| Outcome | Four deaths |
The Battle of Evarts happened on May 5, 1931, in Harlan, Kentucky. It was part of the larger Harlan County Wars. Coal miners went on strike because they wanted better working conditions. They also asked for higher wages and more housing for their families. This short battle lasted about 15 minutes. It ended when the Kentucky National Guard was called in to stop the fighting.
Contents
Who Fought in the Battle of Evarts?
Many groups were involved in the Battle of Evarts. On one side were the coal miners who were on strike. They wanted fair treatment from the coal companies.
On the other side were private police. These officers were hired by the coal companies. They were well-armed and ordered to stop the strike. The Black Mountain Coal Company's hired guards were ready to fight.
Other groups chose not to get involved. The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) thought about helping. But they decided not to because it would take too many resources. The Red Cross also stayed out of it. They said it was an "industrial dispute" and not their concern.
What Caused the Battle of Evarts?
The Battle of Evarts was not a sudden event. It happened after several months of trouble in Harlan County. Miners were unhappy with many things.
Miners' Demands and Company Rules
Miners wanted better conditions in the mines. They also wanted higher pay. They wished for more freedom from the coal company. For example, miners were fired if they went to union meetings.
The Black Mountain Coal Company had its own grocery store. Miners had to spend their wages there. If a miner spent money elsewhere, they could be fired. They might even be kicked out of town.
The Wage Cut and First Strike
The biggest problem came when the Harlan County Coal Operators Association cut wages. They lowered miners' pay by 10%. This was the final straw for many miners.
After this pay cut, the first strike began. About 13% of the miners refused to work. The Battle of Evarts was one of the most violent events during these strikes. It resulted in four deaths.
The Battle Begins
The Battle of Evarts started on the morning of May 5, 1931. The coal company sent a group of three cars. These cars were going to Harlan. They carried supplies for non-union miners. These non-union miners had been hired to replace the striking workers.
A sheriff's deputy was in each car. The deputies expected trouble. They prepared for an attack. The striking miners waited for the cars near the Evarts railroad.
The First Shot and the Fight
As the cars came closer, a single shot was fired. No one knows who fired it first. Both sides blamed each other. The cars stopped. Deputy Jim Daniels, who was disliked by the miners, jumped out. He hid behind a rock.
When Daniels raised his head to shoot, he was shot and killed. The gunfight lasted for about 15 minutes. Around 1,000 shots were fired. When the fighting stopped, three deputies and one miner were dead.
What Happened After the Battle?
The Battle of Evarts led to more strikes in the Harlan County area. Coal companies still refused to give in to the miners' demands. The Red Cross continued to refuse help. They stuck to their policy of staying neutral in such disputes.
After about a month and a half of strikes, the workers went back to their jobs. They had no money for food. They were starving because negotiations had failed.
The Battle of Evarts was short, with only four deaths. But it is an important part of the history of the Coal Wars. It showed the struggles of miners for better lives.
Images for kids
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Miners working underground.
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Eli Sanders, a worker, loads coal onto a car.
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Children walking through the town of Evarts.
