"THUNDER IN THE MOUNTAINS" AUTHOR SAVAGE IS DEAD - Story Of The Battle Of Blair Mountain

(07/31/2004)

Well-known West Virginia author and journalist Lon Savage has died at the age of 75. Savage is best known for his history of the West Virginia mine wars - "Thunder in the Mountains (1920-21) first published in 1985. Savage said he wrote the novel because most West Virginia histories did not mention the conflict, described as the largest civil engagement in America since the Civil War. The conflict culminated in the Battle of Blair Mountain, where the governor of West Virginia called the U. S. Army which came with its bombers. Ironically, in recent years environmental activist and Secretary of State Ken Hechler was physically assaulted by a union miner at the anniversary of Blair Mountain. Hechler and a number of environmentalists came to the site to remember the struggle of miners against the large coal companies. A memorial service for Savage was held yesterday.

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