The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-05-22

which Is intensified By The depagogy
81 such men ID Gen. Romero epd GOV.
Garcia, despite the diplomacy Of Gen.,
Diaz, Lieut.. Gen. Ceramics and Hon.
Isidfo Flores.
THE SIZING or rHE BLACK LEes."
The. Central Figure Of tie Recent Strike at
Elk Garden, W. Va. 4 e I 8.
PladmORs, ". Va. Cor. Balttnore sls.
The central figure at Elk Garden during
the recent strike was jacob NJ. Biggs, call
ed by many of his admirers 1.-THE King OF
the Black Legs" and known throughout
this and the Maryland coal region. Heis.
d character, and what he saysi Is consider
ed solid by all, who know him. He is eS7
pected to do whatever he announced and
has worked through all the strikes in this
section for many years. AT the!cutbreak
81 this last trouble he saidhe would work
| Il there was not another man in the mine
and stuff nine cars full OF coal each, day.
He has two sons that work with him. One
q them, well-grown lad, wanted TO
strike. and his father had difficult time
| in tlirashing the boy into the mines.
Biees related this domestic conflict TO the
officials OF the mine, and in closing said
fbut brought him, and don't you forget
etold the story comically. Bissa, ills
said. sees the folly Of strikes, and never
has Joined in one, but always makes his
Big money during their continuance. Dur
| ing this strike he has made 81 To- SS each
lday.l He Is fearless king, and goes any.
where during strikes. His duskblasked
lace may be seen in among the strikers
after becomes from the mines, though it's
said some are very bitter against him.
| About three years ago he leased ground
from the company at Elk Garden and
bnilt a nice house. His plant, he says, is
worth about 5000. In addition to this,
1 he, has two acres OF choice land here
more than any one else. The company
allowed Biggs to choose his own location,
j to 20 where he pleased, because he was
the King OF the Black Legs, a valuable,
trusty man, to be depended upon by the
company in strikes or any other difficulty.
4 The Methodist preacher in charge oil this
circuit lives with Biggs, who generously
gives him apartments and board gratis.
Biggs uses explosives sometimes, and 70
this The minister has objected, but the
host has always said that the minister
would haye4n take his home as he found
lit. It is said, however, that the minister
lie doing Biggs good, and that he is less en-
phatic than heretofore. Mr.. Biggs came
lout OF the mine to-day looking most bust
mess like, with his miners lamp and coal
dust covered suit. He said in reply to
questions: ~ never 'black.legged' in my
life; that is never joined strikers and.
1 then went back on them by going in, the
mines to work. | have always done what
d thought was right, but the strikers have
called my working sblack.legging.iR TAX
ing their view OF II, Mr.. Biggs declared he
was tie king Of the "black.legsp Of this re-
pion. . He Is 81 years Of age and was born
near Oakland, Md, For many years he
was brakeman, conductor and dispatcher
\ OF trains on the B. q O.
i In1S00 he dug his first coal in the old
1 Hampshire mine, in Mineral county, w.
Va. When this mine struck in 1874 for
scales he worked on until the company
Istopped him. After six weeks the scales
were put up and the men worked two or
three days, when they struck to have
in Alter week. Several times mobs have
cot after him, but he has stood his ground.
1 at the new Hampshire mine he worked
through many strikes. In the strikes in
the Virginia mine he worked, and through
1 the strikes 10 Elk Garden. He has never
refused TO work during strike, and has
on each occasion had what he calls pic
mic. In concluding he said: .'The strik-
ling party always get worsted. have
never seen any OF them do any good yet
Digging coal pays better than anything !
can 20 at, and | can do almost anything.
4 It is not any particular love have for it,
but because Of the. money thatis init. l
act up 10 my convictions. came here to
stay, and will stick."