Or, more precisely at Blair Mountain, to seek a union.
The real issue at Blair Mountain?
He organized an army of his own, and the two sides met on on Blair Mountain in late August.
For all its drama, the battle of Blair Mountain has never been written into the mainstream of the country's history.
Now, a new battle for Blair Mountain is flaring.
At stake is a campaign by amateur historians, allied with environmentalists, to register more than 1,400 acres around Blair Mountain as a historic site.
But the Battle of Blair Mountain became a rallying crying cry for labor advocates nationwide.
Thousands of miners joined them along the way, culminating in what was to become known as the Battle of Blair Mountain.
Infuriated, the miners turned back towards Blair Mountain, many traveling in other stolen and commandeered trains.
By morning, 700 members of his volunteer army were assembled on the slopes of Blair Mountain.