The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-12

II the Flat Top Strike Continues 1t VIII
Yield That state Harvest.


MONTGOMERY. w. VA. May IL
spe .iaI.-It was your correspondents
good fortune TO bo IN the Pocahontas
coal field when the strike was on ia this
field. and now / am enjoying the quiet
rciguing here while unrest prevails
there. Striking into the pick for more
coal Tor another days pay is so much
more sensible and satisfactory than
batting the afr with foolish harangues
and productive gestiCulations that
The wonder is that the folly should ever
he repeated. have talked with num-
bcr of the miners who dix I'm these hills
for the "blaok diamonds" and / have
yet 10 find one whose cool judgment ap-
proves Of a strike. With the excitement
attending tho unreasonable ana unproit-
able movement an gone 70 stands ont in
an Of its deformity and is repulsyc 10
look upon.
II tho Flat-Top folly continues the
operators here are expecting "a rich har-
vest Already most of the mines are be
ing worked on fun time and with fun
force I do not know that any influence
from outside has been brought TO bear
ON the miners here TO quit work, but
now and then something ike a walking
delegate comes and goes. Standing in
front OF the "EdgeWatcr' mines, one of
The largest iu the section. day before
yesterday. ! was impressed with the APP
pearance and movements Of stranger.
who approached the manager with the re-
quest 90 enter The mines and examine
the veins Of coal. etc. IIe said Doc repre-
scented large amount of wealth. which
WAS seeking investment I'm this valley, hut
the impression made upon some or MS
who watched him was that he came as
a spy
The operators I'm this section, with two
railroads and % river competing Tor th'lI
trade. enjoy iuIueusc advantages ot'I
their co-workors along the line Of the
Norfolk and Western They appreciate 10
too Captafn w. r.. Johnson formerly
of Chesterfield. is the owner ana manager
of "a large operation here and has heeh
very successful II is particularly grail
fyinc 10 nnd Nirginian I'm charge or
such am industry and making a. success
of it, We wiz some day quit taiRlnS
politics iu the shade. and go out mo '"V
sunshine and keep abreast of the earnest
workers thcrc-
While your city has been drenched III
rain a. distressing drought has preNailed
hero Except for the physical comfort OF
man this condition would not be OF mhch
moment. as tho staple crop is not de-
pondcnt ON sun or shower. coal gives
cheer 20 our homes, hut comes from
home of dense darkness.
was concentrating an old citlzcn OF
This county the other day on the wonder
fnl changes which have taken place mere
duriup the last quarter of century ana
expected TO see his eye brighten as ne re-
mombercd them. but. on the contrary ne
Grew sad as he dOleiully remafkeu'
"Yes. We have railroads and steam
boafs. and locks in the river and towns
touching each other. and thousands OF
hue,. workers in our mountain sides. nut
tbo FISH don't bite any more ana l"e
deer have gone to other mountains anu
tho wild turkey has sought another roosI
and even squirres are scarce. Ihe ldct
ie sir. the better days are all gone ana
The GOOD times are no more. Inc qulel
~ mv cabin home has been broken
r,,7efv upon. and the sweet content that
r,ie1 an over the ncighborhood has leit
,s" r have no doubt that he spoke just
as hc thought NJ. Win
1,a,.. VET TO meet with West VIZ
eirisn who does not approve or DoNeInoI
v.corl1e's refusal 20 allow NIs'h'a
tr,ons t0 enter his state. they can hain
Il, fear that Vrgiuians with arms ln ln,n
r,,4s ON West Virginia soil would undeI
take The collection of some portion oi
that Ola debt, ...,. o,,s hut
have been here now nlon'n' anu ~
ro,,eeontative from Richmond mas
,..,,eter.d an the hotel. This snoui" p' an
attractive ncld for Richmond hl'l e""'''''
but IL needs cultiVatine.