Evening journal., 1894-03-06
MINERS HAD DYNAMITE.
Strikers at Eagle Intended to
Blow Up the Troops.
CONFESSION OF ONE CoNsPGRAToR.
Many Dynamite Cartridges Were DIstribut-
ed Among the Rioters and Plan Laid
which Would Have Resulted In several
Deaths Had 1t Not lIiscarried.


Which Would Have Resulted In several
Deaths Had It Not lIiscarried.
CHARLESTON, W. Va, March 6.--Goyern-
or McCorkle received n telegram from Ma
jor Banks, commanding at Eagle, stating
that a man had been arrested at Montgom-
cry with dynamite cartridges on his per-
son. The man was brought to this city
He said he was engaged In the attack on
Wyants tipple, had attended all the meet
ings and knew all their plans. From his
confession the following story is obtained:
Sunday night the governor received in
cendiary statements from man purport-
ing TO be acting as mayor of Montgomery.
They were to the effect that the military
posse Of the sheriff had no right to accom-
pany the sheriff within the corporate limits
Of the town of Montgomery. This course
would nullify the power Of the sheriff OF
the county, and no notice was taken Of the
statements. Things have developed show
ing that there was Il deep seated plan ar
ranged TO violate the law The authorities
now know its true inwardness.
Carefully Planned Outrage.
The riot at Acme was carefully planned
and was only frustrated by the action of
the authorities. The strikers took TO Acme
% large dynamite cartridges to blow up
the works and to destroy the store, their
purpose being to loot il. At their meetings
the arrangement was made. with the con-
nivance of certain people, to arrest Wyant,
bring him to Montgomery and turn him
over to the mob Of miners His life would
not have been worth penny.
In addition to this a dastardly and hor-
rible outrage was TO be perpetrated. When
the soldiers came accompanying the sheriff
in making his arrests for murder, the dy-
Mantle cartridges, already fused with per-
cussion caps, were to be lighted with light
ed cigars and thrown among the troops
and posse, manning and killing the mem-
bers thereof. This plan was almost carried
ont. Dynamite cartridges were distributed.
one of which is in the possession Of the
governor. They were to bring Wyant to
this place, where his life was to be taken,
and then the riot was to be made down the
railroad
As it happened, however, only a small
part Of this programme was carried out.
Wyant was arrested by the warrant sworn
out before Squire Adkins, whose son was
one of the ringleaders in the strike and for
whom n warrant has been issued for mur-
der. But when the four constables, one of
whom had said that he would bring Wyant
down TO Montgomery or kill him, attempt
ed to take Wyant to Montgomery, he re-
sisted and told him that he was perfectly
willing to 60 to Fayetteville, where he
could have some sort of a show, but he did
not propose to be taken to Montgomery for
the purpose Of being killed by q mob.
Plot to XIII wyant.
It was carefully and certainly ascertained
4 a.
TO Fayetteville he would in all probability
be killed on the way, and dascertaining that
fact he called on the military for protec-
tion, 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 would
have his preliminary trial.
1t was ascertained that the road was
picketed by the men who had been in this
strike, and If It had not been for the pro
lection Of the military his life would have
been taken.
The authorities have gone to the bottom
of the whole matter. They have ascer-
tanned that the original facts were about
true. The attack on Wyant was prear-
ranged, and the next morning it was in
tended to take Edgewater, the adjacent
mine. This was frustrated by the prompt
action of the governor in having the mill
tary on hand.
There is "a vast deal of excitement. and
since the dastardly and outrageous at
tempt to kill by dynamite the soldiers and
posse accompanying the sheriff in making
the arrests there isa deep seated feeling of
indignation both at the men who were
actually engaged in this and at the authori-
ties and citizens at Montgomery, who have
been aiding and abetting these outrages
Vigorous measures have been taken to ar
rest the men engaged in this dastardly
business, and the principal leaders in this
dreadful attempt will be soon taken.
The strikers stated in their meeting that
II any more arrests were made the Jail at
Fayetteville would be broken and the pris-
oners released. There is great apprehen-
sion that it will be attempted, and it is un-
derstood that the governor will have a
company Of troops there to see that this is
not done
II looks now as If there is going to be
great trouble. The vigorous measures of
the authorities in arresting these people
seems to have had its effect i'm stopping
contemplated outrages, but it is impossible
to tell exactly what will be the outcome