This book investigates the complex and often violent relationship between law enforcement and the coal mining industry in West Virginia during a pivotal period of labor unrest. Richard D. Lunt, drawing on extensive archival research and historical records, examines the ways in which legal structures and the actions of law enforcement officials were intertwined with the interests of mine owners and operators. The work details the strategies employed to suppress unionization and worker activism, highlighting the systemic biases that favored capital over labor in the region.

This work is recognized for its detailed examination of a critical period in American labor history, particularly within the context of West Virginia's coal fields. Scholars and historians utilize Lunt's research to understand the mechanisms of power and control exerted during intense labor-management conflicts. The book provides a foundational account of how legal systems were leveraged to manage and often suppress worker movements, offering insights into the broader patterns of industrial relations in the early 20th century.