Coal Wars Explores the Strikes of 1934
17 Jan 2015 Leave a Comment
in Inside Roslyn Tags: Coal Mine, Coal Wars, Mining
Coal Wars, by David Bullock, is a new book published by WSU Press chronicling the 1934 strikes in the Roslyn-Cle Elum Coal Fields. The clash of interests between competing labor unions, mine owners, and politicians (set against a backdrop of a nation in economic collapse), lead to a situation where “communities were torn apart, friends became enemies, and memories of abuses festered for generations.” David Bullock does a great job detailing the story from many perspectives, providing a balanced account of the events as they unfolded. The author, and grandson of a Roslyn miner, also brings a very human perspective to what it was like to live and work in the heart of the conflict.
The book is currently available for purchase from WSU Press. To learn more about Roslyn’s rich coal mining history, be sure to visit the Roslyn Museum or go for a stroll down the historic Coal Mines Trail.
