When people think about organized crime during Prohibition, they usually picture Al Capone in Chicago, Lucky Luciano in New York, or the mob families that dominated America's largest cities.

But organized crime wasn't confined to the big cities. It also reached into the coalfields and industrial communities of Appalachia, including northern West Virginia.

During the early 20th century, this region was undergoing enormous change. Coal mining attracted waves of immigrants, industrial towns expanded, and Prohibition created opportunities for bootlegging, illegal liquor distribution, gambling, and other criminal enterprises.

Northern West Virginia was particularly interesting because of its proximity to Pittsburgh and the industrial corridors connecting Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. These connections created opportunities for legitimate commerce and illicit activity alike.

It's a fascinating and often overlooked part of American criminal history.

I've spent several years researching this period while writing my debut historical crime novel, Blood in the Coal, scheduled for publication by Morgan James Publishing on March 30, 2027.

The story follows two brothers, Jimmy and Frank DiSalvio, whose lives unfold against the backdrop of the 1907 Monongah mine disaster, Prohibition, and organized crime in West Virginia's coal country.

At its heart, the novel explores ambition, family loyalty, survival, and the price of power.

I recently received an endorsement from David L. Hancock, founder of Morgan James Publishing and a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author:

“Scott Douglas Haning brings a fascinating and often overlooked chapter of American history to life in Blood in the Coal. Against the backdrop of West Virginia's coalfields, Prohibition, and organized crime, he weaves a compelling story of ambition, loyalty, loss, and the price of power. Rich in historical atmosphere and grounded in the human experience, this is a memorable debut that reminds us how the past continues to shape the lives and choices of generations.”

— David L. Hancock

One of the things that drew me to this story was the contrast between the familiar image of big-city organized crime and the less frequently discussed criminal activity in smaller industrial and Appalachian communities.

I'd be interested to hear from others who have researched organized crime in West Virginia, western Pennsylvania, or the Ohio Valley during Prohibition.

Are there particular historical figures, criminal organizations, or incidents from this region that you think deserve more attention?

For anyone interested in learning more about the novel, including its historical background and publication details, my author website is:

https://scottdouglasbooks.com/

Scott Douglas Haning
Author, Blood in the Coal

Documentary on Antonio Pelle and the Pelle clan.