Re-enactors gather to create Matewan Massacre Saturday

MATEWAN, W.Va. -- The Matewan Massacre took place May 19, 1920, and this Saturday, it will happen again.

Main Street in Matewan will be the site of the eighth season of the Matewan Massacre Re-enactment. Donna May, the owner of the Matewan Depot Restaurant, has been directing and acting in the play since its conception.

"There are no costs, and it will last for about 45 minutes," May said.

Two shows will be offered on Saturday, and the first begins at 11 a.m. The encore presentation will take place at 3 p.m.

The play is based on the true events of the Matewan Massacre, a bloody battle in which people of the town faced detectives hired by the Stone Mountain Coal Company. The standoff resulted in the death of four townspeople and seven detectives.

"The play takes place amongst the audience on Main Street, and each character in the play gives their own perspectives on what happened at the massacre," May said.