Storming Heaven

Rondal Lloyd is the son of Clabe Lloyd, a coal miner, and has two younger brothers, Talcott and Kerwin. Though Rondal shows promise in school, Clabe pulls Rondal out of school as a boy and forces him to work in the mines. Eventually, C. J. Marcum convinces Clabe to let Rondal live with him on Ermel Justice’s land and work with him at the drugstore. Rondal and his best friend, Isom, often visit the gambling halls and brothels. C. J. doesn’t approve of their friendship and encourages Rondal to pursue medicine, as well as help organize the union. Eventually, Rondal decides that he can’t become a doctor and organize the union, and that he will go back to work as a coal miner, telling C. J.:“I decided I want to help bring the union in here. Aint no doctor going to bring in no union” (71). However, the coal companies quickly put a target on Rondal’s back once they realize he is involved with the union. Rondal is often on the run, traveling from Colorado to Chicago to Charleston, anywhere he can help the union. Finally, Rondal ends up fighting in the Battle at Blair Mountain, where he is shot, leaving his legs paralyzed.