The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-06-06
Mob Spirit in West Virginia.
MINING OPERATIONS SUSPENDED STEAM
BOAT AND RAILROAD TRAINS SEIZED.

| 04OV 0pulI 1A w CSG vlISllllds
MINING OPERATIONS sUsPENDED-sTEAM
BOAT AND RAILROAD TRAINS SEIZED.
| About the 3rd OF May, Messrs. G. r. Ma
son and G. E. Hogc, who are operating two
extensive coal mines near Hampton, w. Va,
discharged their blacksmith, named Humid
| ly, the cause for which we did not learn.
The miners some forty OF fifty in number.
struck iii consequence, and refused to work.
| unless the blacksmith was restored to his po-
sltion. This condition of things continued,
with occasional negotiations tor al adjust
ment, until last Thursday, when an arrange
ment was made by which 81 Of the hands
returned to work. This adjustment did not
give back to Hundly his position in the
shop, and he subsequently declined to stand
to it, and so notified the parties concerned.
On Saturday morning last about o'clock
Mr.. Charles E. Hoge was aroused by col
ored man in his employ. with tine Informal
ton that the surrounding country was full
| of men, and Mr.. II. looking out of the win
dow o; his room, discovered numerous per-
ing in regular order, floating red flags. and
finally with great precision formed hollow
| square. Twelve men were then detailssi
| from the command to 60 to each of the coal
| mines two in number) and take possession
and guard them and the miners, and guards
were stationed along the roads to the mines
to arrest the men as they went to work, and
| carry them to the hollow square, formed as
| we have stated. After this part of the work
| had been effectively arranged, notice was
sent to Mr.. Hoge tina. II conference with him
was in order, ii he desired it. He said he
should like to have talk with them, as he
| thought fair presentation OF the case would
show them that they were in error and that
he was right in the discharge of the black
smith and the miners right in returning to
work. Mr.. Hoge repaired to where the hol-
low square had been formed, but on his way
there he was informed That he would not be
permitted to explain anything, or make an
address to the crowd, numbering about $50
persons, gathered from the mines in that
part of and other portions of West Virginia.
he was approached by one of the men who
acted as spokesman for the miners, with the
statement that they had two commands to
| make Of him, after asking his name and po-
sition First, that all the miners who had
| returned to work should be discharged and
never again employed by him, and, second,
that Hundley should be restored to his posi-
ton and given possession Of his shop. Mr..
Hoge asked to make some remarks, stating
that he thought If they would hear what he
had to say they would withdraw their de-
| mands. This was refused him, although
| heard, but the body of them hooted him
| into silence. lie WAS then requested to give
| prompt and categorical answer to the de-
| mands above recited. After having them
repeated, he stated that he should not dis
charge the miners at work, nor would he
restore Hundley to his position under any
circumstances.
| This closed the conference (and Messrs.
Mason G Hoge's operations for the press nt,)
which was very respectful toward Mr.. Hoge,
and the men dispersed to their various
places Of employment. The only act OF
violence was the precipitation of about 81
small cars loaded with coal, down hill,
MASKING up the cars aud scattering the coal.
This is the second demonstration of this
kind in that portion OF West Virginia within
| the past few months. The authorities seem
to be incapable or indisposed to protect the
contractors aud suppress these demonstra-
tons against their rights. as well as the
laws and good order of government and
society. The Governor Of that State did not
earn very enviable reputation for cool
courage and energy during the riots last
sumner at Martinsburg, and from all we
can learn there is very little hope that any
effective effort will be made by the State to
vindicate its dignity and authority.
Messrs. Mason &c aoge have their opera
tons suspended, at considerable loss to
themselves, the miners have asserted their
DEGREES to be the laws of the land and es-
pecally of West Virginia, and the very safe
guards OF government and society placed in
jeopardy. What will or should be done about
it? Must the Federal power be appealed to-?
That is Governor Matthew'S business, and a
great humiliation it would be. One tn ing
is certain, this lawlessness should cease,
brute force taught lesson, and the laws of
! the country enforced.
1t would seem from the number engaged
and the time OF their operation, that the
same party that caused the suspension of the
works of Messrs. Mason & [Ioge, have been
!. engaged in other violent inyas,ons of the
rights of others. A dispatch dated the 4th
says: yesterday about 700 miners from
:. different mines near Charleston, West Vir-
ginia, captured the steamer Modock and
went to Blacksburg to make the miners
there stop work. They threatened to kill
or drown everyone opposing them. They
succeeded in stopping the Blackburg mines,
after which they took possession of a train
on the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad and
returned, making the train stop when and
: where they pleased and refusing to pay
fare.''
REM ARKARIE ESCAPE FROM DROWN.