From May 12–14, 1921, the Battle of the Tug (also called the Three Days Battle) broke out. Union miners fired from the hills onto coal towns, and nonunion miners and law enforcement fired back. Thousands of shots were exchanged, buildings were damaged, and three people were killed.

The battle ended on May 15 after a truce was arranged. Though federal troops didn’t arrive then, this conflict helped lead to their involvement later during the Miners’ March on Logan.