The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-03-06

CHARLESTON, W. Va, March 5.-Today
Governor McCorkle received a telegram
from Major Banks, commanding at Eagle.
stating that man had been arrested at
Montgomery with dynamite cartridge on
his person. The man was brought to this
city. He said he was engaged in the at
tack on Wysnt's tipple and had attended
all the meetings and knew all their plans.
From his confession the following story is
obtained:
Last night the governor received in
ceudiary statements from man purport-
ing to be acting as the mayor of Montgom.
cry. They were to the effect that the
military posse of the sheriff had no right
to accompany the sheriff within the COR
porate limits of the town of Montgomery.
This course would nullify the power Of the
sheriff of the county, aud no notice was
taken of these statements.
Things haYe developed today, showing
there was deep seated plan arranged to
violate the law. The authorities have
gotten into the whole business, and now
the inwardness of the scheme is known.
The riot at Acme was carefully planned
and only frustrated by the action of the
authorities. The strikers took to Acme 81
large cartridges to blow up the works and
destroy the stores. Their purpose was co
loot the store.
At their meetings yesterday. last night
and on Saturday, the arrangements were
pie to arrest Wyant, bring him to Mont
gomery and turn him over to the mob of
miners. His life wonld not have been
worth a penny.
In addition to this a dastardly and
horrible outrage was to have been perpe-
trated. When the soldiers came accom-
panying the sheriff in making his arrest
for murder, the dynamite cartridges dis
tributed already fused with percussion
caps were to be lighted and thrown
among the troops and posse, manning
and killing the members thereof. This
plan was carried out, dynamite cartrid-
ges were distributed, one of which is in
the possession of the governor to-day.
AS it happened however only small par
of this program was carried out.
Wyant was arrested by the warrant
sworn out by Squire Adkins. whose son
is engaged in the strike aud is one of the
ring leaders, for whom q warrant has
been issued for murder. But when the
cOnstables, one of whom said he would
bring Wyaut down to Montgomery or kill
him, attempted to take Wyant to Mont
gomery. he resisted and told him be was
willing to go to Fayetteville, but be did
for the purpose of being killed by a mob.
He agreed to go to Fayetteville this
morning but refused to go last night.
1t was ascertained before morn
ing that If he should be taken to
Fayetteville he would in all probability be
killed on the way. and this morning he
called on the militia for protection, and
when the constables attempted to take
him, one of them was arrested for murder
and platoon of soldiers took Wyant to
Fayetteville, where he will have his pre-
liminary trial. 1t was ascertained that
the road was picketed by the men who had
been in the strike, and if it had not been
for the protection of the military. his life
would have been taken. The authorities
ter. They ascertained that the original
statement of facts Were about
true. The attack on Wyant
was pre-arranged and the next morning it
was intended to take Edgwater, the
adjacent mine. This was frustrated by
the governor by having the militia on
hand.
There is vast deal of excitement and
since the last outrage and the attempt to
kill the soldiers with dynamite. there is a
deep feeling of indignation against both of
the men who were actually engaged In
this. and the authorities and citizens of
Montgomery who have been aiding and
abetting the outrages.
Vigorous means have been taken to ar
rest the men engaged in this dastardly
business and il possible the leaders in this
dreadfuly attempt will be arrested. The
strikers stated in their meeting last night
and on the night before that if any ar
rests were made the Jail at Fayetteville
would be broken in and the prisoners re-
leased. The present apprehension is that
it will be attempted and it is understood
that the governor will have a company OF
troops there to see that this is not DONE
1t looks now as il there is going to be
great trouble. The vigorous measures of
the authorities in arresting these people
seems to have its effect in stopping con-
templated outrages, but it Is impossible
to tell exactly what will be the outcome.
This story has the perfect credence of the
state officials and is given to the Asso:
ciated Press in their full sanction.