After World War I ended in 1918, conflict over coal mine unions in West Virginia grew again. In 1919, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) tried to organize miners, but coal companies fought back with armed guards and local officials.

Nearly 2,000 union miners began to march from Marmet, just east of Charleston, to Logan County. Governor John Cornwell and UMWA District 17 president Frank Keeney, though, convinced them to stop. Cornwell later ordered an investigation that many believed unfairly blamed the union.

A nationwide coal strike followed, and federal troops were sent to West Virginia to keep order. Even after the strike ended, tensions between miners and coal companies continued to rise.