The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-09-19
TO WORKINGMEN.
John Mcbride, President of the
State Miners Union,
Writes an Open Letter Giving Full History
OfGovernOr Hayes Ordering Troops to
the TusCarawas Valley In 1876,
and Shows the MendaCity of
Fosters State Mine In
spectOr.

FELLOW WORKINGMEN:
1t has been charged against John G.
Warwick, the Democratic candidate for
Lieutenant Governor, that he was the
first man to call upon Governor Hayes
for troops in 1876 to suppress the strik-
ing miners in the Tuscarawas Valley,
and that he, more than any other man,
was responsible for the militia being
sent. In support of these charges, in
stigated in a large degree by Andrew
Roy, State Mine Inspector, gaTbled state
ments have been made, and all the facts
that would give you clear understand
ing of the case suppressed.
Believing that you desire fair play and
justice done to all men, your attention
is called to the following statement of
facts regarding the miners strike in the
Tuscarawas Valley in 1876, Mr.. War
wick's relations to, and connection with
it, and the connection of Roy and others
with the affair:
The miners of the Tuscarawas Valley
went out on strike during the winter
of 1875 and 1876. On the 14th day of
April, 1876, it eliminated in a riot at
the Warrington mine, near MassillOn,
in which Mr.. George Warrington, at
that time of the firm of Rhodes 81 Co.,
and several other persons connected
with the mine, were injured. On the
morning of the 14th of April, Mr.. Warm
ingtOn sent a telegram to Governor
Hayes, at Columbus, which is given in
the following telegram from Governor
Hayes to the Sheriff of Stark county:
COLUMBUS, o., April IA, 1876.
Received at Canton, IL: 80 a. IN.
To John 2. .Rauch, Sheriff of Stark county,
Canton, o.:
lam in receipt of the following dis
patch from MassillOn: "0ur miners are
out on a strike; have commenced putting
In new men; old miners are threatening
and troublesome; should necessity COM
pei, we want your prompt assistance.
Signed Geo. H. Warrington" If, after
Investigation, you find 1t necessary, you
will promptly notify me.
(53 paid-168) r. B. HAYES, Gov.
About eleven o'clock on the 14th, the
riot occurred, and the following tele-
gram was sent to the Sheriff of Stark
county:
MAssILLoN, o., April IA, 1876.
Received at Canton, AS p. m.
To j. P. Rauch, Sheriff:
Bring posse to MassillOn Immediately;
big riot at Warrington mine.
90 paid-25.)
GEO. H. WARRINGTON. .
Prior to, and during the time when
called for and sent, Mr.. Warwick was
absent and out of the State, having gone
east in company with DR.. SGreatOr and
Judge Tyler. of Cleveland, aud the first
intimatiOn he had that riot had occur
red, was through telegram received by
DIR. StreatOr, and handed to him at
breakfast at their hotel in Washington,
on Saturday morning, April 10Th, 1876.
On the evening of April 18th, Adult
n alynHF TnA kWVA
tOTney General Little and Andrew Roy,
arrived at MassillOn, and telegraphed to
Sheriff Rauch to come to MassillOn at
once. After a consultation with WikOff
and Roy, on the following day, Sunday,
April 10th, WikOff wrote the following
telegram, dating it as of April 18th, and
Sheriff Rauch signed 1T:
MASsLLON, o., April 10, 1876.
To r. B. Hayes, Governor of Ohio, COlum-
bus, Ohio:
From reliable information, have no
doubt of the imminent danger of mObs
and riots of dangerous character in
the neighbOThOOd of MassillOn, and am
satisfied no power which could secure
would be. able to afford protection
against the same, to person and prop
erty. 1 respectfully invoke the aid of
the Governor to prevent the threatened
mObs and riots and to enforce the law.
[Signedl JOHN P. RAUCH,
Sheriff of Stark county.
On Monday, April 18th, WikOff went
to the Silver Creek mine, and in talk
with the "blaek-leg" miners, assured
them that the State would protect them.
Mr.. l.. Q. Hoover, of the MassillOn
American, was present, and the Ameri-
can of the same week contained the fol-
lowing report: 'The Adiutant General
addressed about dozen of the wOrkmen,
telling them briefly that the State had
now come to their aid, and would protect
them If they desired to work; that a
company of State troops would reach
there as soon as possible; he thought by
Thursday, and that all the force neces-
sary to maintain the majesty of the law
would be sent in short notice, not only
to that mine, but to any other in the
Valley"
This is quoted as additional evidence
to show VINO was responsible for troops
being sent. 1t is clearly apparent that
it had been fully decided at this time to
send troops to the Valley, and that Mr..
Warwick was not in the remOtest degree
party to the call for military aid.
On the 9th day of April, the minors
of the Valley held mass meeting at the
Old Furnace bank, near MassillOn, and
WikOff ami Roy were present. WikOff
addressed the miners, and said he lad
been sent to the Valley to see whether it
was necessary to send troops to the
Valley. He then read the riot act, and
continued by saying that the miners had
been grossly misrepresented; that he had
expected to see some of them wearing
horns. He said he was pleased, however,
to see they were as intelligent looking,
and apparently as well behaved, as any
body of citizens he had met with in the
State. He said he believed the riot was
not maliciOusly premeditated, but was
caused by the excitement of the moment.
He stated he could see no necessity for
having troops ordered out, and assured
the miners that none would be sent I'M
less there was further riOting on their
part. Compare the above talk with his
talk to the Silver Creek "black legs" and
| bear in mind that Andrew Roy, the man
who charges John G. Warwick with call
| ing for troops, was eOgnizant Of the
whole affair, and knew all the time he
listened to WikOff's talk to the miners at
] the Old Furnace bank, that it had been