 Shortly after Hatfield 's death , a large group of miners began to assemble south of Charleston along Lens Creek , and prepared to march south to Mingo County , and free their fellow miners who had been imprisoned under the martial law decree for violent acts . The path of the march would take the miners directly across Logan County , causing fear for Chafin and his backers . Chafin declared " No armed mob will cross Logan County " , and prepared to stop the miners as they crossed Blair Mountain . Chafin 's pronouncements and preparations were regarded with contempt by the miners , who took up the cry , " We 'll hang Don Chafin to a sour apple tree . " One of the leaders of the miners , Ed Reynolds , later testified that a central aim of the march was " to kill Sheriff Don Chafin " . 
