In the early 1900s, the Fleming-Watson family gained control of several major coal companies, including Fairmont Coal. In 1906, they bought most of the stock in three coal companies for $5 million. With support from U.S. Senator Johnson N. Camden and John D. Rockefeller, they merged the companies in 1909 to form the powerful Consolidation Coal Company. Former Governor Fleming and his brother-in-law, Senator Clarence Watson, held top leadership roles for many years.