Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-03-22
POCAHONTAs PLANTS.
The Escaped Bungarians Arrive in New
York-COntractors' Side.


NEW YORK. March 2l.-Some weeks ago
there was letter received here from Po-
cahontas, W. Va, from Hungarian col
ony that had agreed to work on the Nor
folk and Western railroad, complaining
that they were worse than slaves, being
treated with indignities never even heaped
on the black seFf
Three Of the men and one woman have
returned TO New York with B. Herce, cor
respondent of Has Lidu. the New York
Bohemian newspaper. He went into the
remote mountain camp at the risk OF his
life, making an overland journey of seven
ty-five miles across swollen rivers and
mountain torrents and through snow filed
gorges.
A little party reached New York on
Tuesday night, and the rescued Bohemians
are now living at the house of Frank Bel
SKY, on East Seventy second street. They
are VIM. Hoffman, j. Mayer, j. Mraz and
and Mrs. MraZ Ten others who left the
mountain camp at the same time these
four did were supplied with work in the
coal mines at Pocahontas, w. Va.
Mr. Herce tells thrilling story about
mis- journey to the camp.
The New York Herdld'S correspondent at
Pocahontas telegraphs as follows: Mr..
Ned Purcell, the senior member of the
firm of contractors. is now in Pocahontas.
He said to-day: "I have not been down 10
the scene of our works since last NOvem-
Der, but | have had frequent reports from
there. | am very sure that no crueltles
were practiced upon these workmen. We
had foreman who was complained OF as
being harsh with the men, and he was i'm
mediately discharged. ! have always given
directions to treat the men well. OF course
the country is wild and the living is neces-
sarilv hard, but we did the test we could
for them"
Another squad OF Bohemians from Pur-
cells camp arrived here this week. They
were found at daybreak by the coke burners
al the mines crOuched down beside the
warm coke ovens. 4 furious snow storm
was raging and the weather was very cold.
They had wandered over the mountains
during the night, and attracted by the
glare from the ovens made their way TO
them and stretched out in the warm ashes.
One aged woman was in the group. Dur
ing the latter part OF the march from the
camp the men had TO half carry her. They
all presented pitful sight-ragged, hag
gard and thin, their shoes wore away. They
had waded the mountain streams and
doundered as best they could over the
muddy mountain trail, being three days on
the way.
Bernard Herce, who was sent by New
Y ork Bohemians TO assist the seven Bohe-
mians at the camp TO get away, furnished
hem clothes, and they have been shipped
70 New York.
! had a talk with them through an inter
prefer and they confirmed the statements
which have heretofore despatched you.
In addition, however, | learned more
acts about the promises made them when |
hey were secured through a New York |
employment agency They were told they |
we're going to a land Of mild and delight |
'ul climate, where they would have an easy |
ime. They would be the first people in |
he country and might make fortunes set |
ling on coal lands. They supposed the |
'ailroad was completed and they were to
iandle freight. Some Of them were prom
sed an opportunity to become conductors
IN the railroad"