The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-05-30
The king of the Black Legs"

lnO hluS VI Guo DldCh u6SO,
Piedmont, w. va, Cor. Baltimore Sun.
The central figure at Elk Garden
during the recent strike was Jacob M.
Biggs, called by many of his admir-
ers "The King of the Black Legs"
and known throughout this and the
| Maryland coal region. He is a char
acter, and what he says is considered
solid by all who know him. He is
expected to do whatever he an
nounces, and has worked through all
the strikes in this section for many
| years. AT the outbreak of this last
trouble he said he would work if
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 of them, well-grown
lad, wanted to strike, and his father
had difficult time in thraShing the
boy into the mines. Biggs related
this domestic conflict to the officials
of the mine, and in closing said, "but
brought him, and don't you forget
it,"
He told the story comicalIy. Biggs
it is said, sees the folly of strikes, and
never has Joined in one, but always
makes his big money during their
continuance. During this strike he
has made 81 to IS each day. He is
fearless king, and goes anywhere dur
ing strikes. His dust. BACKED face
may he seen in among the strikers
after he comes from the mines, though
it is said some are very bitter against
him. About three years ago he leased
ground from the company at Elk
Garden and built nice house. His
plant, he says, is worth about $1,000.
In addition to this, he has two acres
of choice land here-mOre than any
one else. The company allowed Biggs
to choose his own location, to go
where he pleasd, 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. The Methodist preacher
in charge of this circuit lives with
Biggs, who generously gives him
! apartments and board gratis.
Biggs uses explosives sometimes,
and to this the minister has objected
but the host has always said that the
minister would nave to take his home
as ne found it. 1t is said. however
that the minister is doing Biggs good
and that he is less emphatic than
heretofore. Mr.. Biggs came out OF
the mine to-day looking most bust.
ness like, with his miners lamp and
cOaldust- covered suit. He said in re-
ply to questions 81 never black.
legged in my life; that is | never
joined strikers and then went back
on them by going in the mines tC
work. [ have always done what |
thought was right, but the strikers
have called my working 'bIack-leg-
ging.'" Taking their view of it, Mr.
Biggs declared he was the king of
the "black- legs" of this region. He
is 81 years Of age and was born near
Oakland. Md. For many years he
was brakeman, conductor and dis.
patcher of trains on the b. g. O.
In 1869 he ding his first coal in the
old Hampshire mine. in Mineral
county, w. Va. When this mine
struck in 1874 for scales he worked
on until the company stopped him.
after six weeks the scales were put
up and the men worked two or three
days, when they struck to have Biggs
discharged. They failed, and went
in after week. Several times mOhS
have got after him, but he has stood
his ground. At the new Hampshire
mine he worked through many
strikes. In the strikes in the Nir.
ginia mine he worked, and through
the strikes in Elk Garden. He has
!, never refused to work during strike,
and has on each occasion had what
he calls a picnic. In concluding he
said: 1.-THE striking party always
get worsted. L have never seen any
of them do any good yet. Digging
coal pays better than anything | can
go at. and 1 can do almost anything.
1t is not any particular love / haYe
for it, but because of the money that
is in it. l act up to my convictions.
| came here to stay, and | will stick -
A Maryland Rip Van Wrinkle.