The Mine Wars were a series of violent events in southern West Virginia from 1912 to 1921. They included major conflicts like the Paint Creek-Cabin Creek Strike, the Battle of Matewan, and the Battle of Blair Mountain. Coal miners, fighting for better working conditions and the right to join unions, were led by people such as labor organizer Mother Jones and local union leaders. They clashed violently with mine owners, detectives from the Baldwin-Felts Agency, and powerful local officials like Sheriff Don Chafin.