In 1914 miners participated in strikes along Paint Creek to gain recognition for unions and to change working and living conditions.  Demands by the union for changes were refused by the companies and armed guards were hired by the operators to break the strike. Striking miners and their families were evicted from their company-owned homes, and non-union labor, including immigrants, were brought in to reopen the mines. The Middle Patch section of Gallagher was site of one of a “tent cities” erected after striking miners were evicted from their homes. It was also the site of several clashes between the guards and striking miners.

The origin of the term “patch” comes from the coal mining region of the British Isles. It has widespread use in other coal mining regions of the eastern United States. It refers to a section of land where as few as 3 or 4 houses were located. These houses were owned by the coal company and, because of the topography, were located on a very small section, or patch, of land.