Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-03-07
RIOTERS BURN BRIDGES.
Striking West Virginia Miners DESTROYING
Valuable Railway Property.

valuable Hallway Property
CHARLESTON, w. Va, March 3.-The
three telegraph lines connecting with
the scene of the miners rioting have
been cut. The last advices received
stated that 1900 strikers, armed with
Wlnchesters, were marching on the
non-union forces and that battle was
probably at hand.
At 1890 last night, Sheriff Silman, of
this county, received o telegram from
Supt. ). NJ. Gill, of the Chesapeake &
ONO Railroad, stating that body of
armed strikers was at COalburg, sixteen
mics from mere, and threatened to tear
up the tracks and burn the bridges at
that point. The sheriff left at 1890 with
posse for Coalburg, where he arrived
at %. The new $4,000 bridge on the
division from Coalburg to Acme had
been tired and was totally DESTROYED
The body of masked strikers who did
the work had disappeared. The sheriff
returned at 5 o'clock this morning, leav-
ing {. deputy and posse on guard.
Further trouble seems inevitable The
excitement at Eagle and Powellton is
still at fever heat and an outbreak is
expected hourly.
Since the burning of the Cabin Creek
cut 1t different points, so that the Gov
ernOr cannot communicate with the
military at Eagle or Powellton. The
railroad officials are cooperating with
the Governor and carrying messengers
by rail as far as Cabin Creek.
from which point they go on horseback
and will report the situation to the
Governor as soon as possible. While
the strikers are moving around Powell
%oy AZ
suspended there, but no temporary
movement can prevent violence at
Eagle, where the worst is feared.
Sheriff Hillman and deputies left for
Cabin Greek in response to telegram
from Division Supt- Gill. of the Chesa-
peake q Ohio, stating that a mob Of
strikers had burned bridge on the
Short Line near the mouth of the creek
about midnight. About thirty men were
IN the party, all masked and armed
On his arrival be found everything
quiet, the mob having dispersed. It
was feared that they had gone to Acme,
but telephone message from there
this morning stated that they were not
seen. The sheriff is still on the ground.
The inquest on the body Of Atkinson
commenced this morning. Col. WANT
and the prosecuting attorney Of Fayette
County were at Fayetteville Issuing
papers for the arrest Of the rioters.
The latest official telegram received
from there says everything is apparent
ly quiet in all quarters. The Governor
has received telegram from a staff Of
fcer at Montgomery that miners are
at work at Forest Hill and Diamond,
both near Eagle. The Governor insisted
upon work being resumed and is bring
ing matters to crisis while troops
are on the ground. He said: "Any
man who wants to work shall have full
and absolute protection, no matter
what were the original causes of
this trouble. The peace of the
state has been invaded, and armed
force Is enGeavoring to violate
the laws. 1t has ceased to be a ques-
ton between the operators and miners.
1t IS the strikers on one side and the
other"
1t was impossible to have averted the
burning of the bridge on the branch
railway at Coalburg last night, as
the outbreak was in an entirely
unexpected quarter. The Governor
has two military companies ready
to march to the scene of the
trouble at moments notice. The two
companies he is holding in readiness
are the Huntington and Milton and a
train with engine attached and steam
up is standing in the yard ready to con-
vey them wherever they may be
needed.
HUNTINGTON, w. W, March Go. I,
In response to the Governors orders,
left for Eagle at 8 o'clock this morning
on a special train provided by the
Chesapeake & Ohio people.