Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-07-07
Special to the Register.

tion throughout the Flat Top mining re-
gion is very grave tonight. No actual
violence has yet been committed, aside
from that chronicled in the Register Of
this morning. but the entire region is
terrorized by prowling bodies of min
ers, armed with Winchester rifles, while
the most disquieung rumOrs are cur
rent, and appear for the most part to
be fully warranted by the general situa-
tion. The miners make no pretense at
eoncealment but boldly make their ap-
pearance at all points and even march
up and down the railroad in broad day
light, while intimidatiOns and threats
are numerous. All good citizens, when
they dare express their opinions, do not
hesitate to say that the entire mining
region appears to be on the threshold
Of a very serious outbreak, which would
result in immense damage to property
and serious loss of life before the au-
thorities could adequately interfere. All
but a small proportion of the striking
miners and their sympathizers possess
WINCHESTER RIFLES,
and such is the fear Of law-abiding peO-
pie that the Sheriff would be absolutely
unable TO obtain a posse of sufficient
size to be of any earthly use in main
tanning order. The great obstacle on
the part Of the strikers, up to this time,
appears TO be the absence of adequate
leaders. Those who are managing the
demonstration on the part of the men
are keeping well in the background
as a measure Of precaution for them
selves. and as a result the men have 50
far acted rather aimlessly. The demon
strations last night upon the Crozier,
Lick Branch, Greenbrier and Gill
liam colleries illustrates this, the riot
ers being driven off easily and without
any fighting
The strikers held several meetings to-
day. and among the reports current to-
night is one that they passed a resolu-
ton to hang a scab at the mouth of
each mine drift as an indication that
they mean business and as a warning in
general to the new men. Another re
port is that they have agreed upon
policy having for its object the burning
of tipples and the blowing up of rail
road restles in the vicinity of the
mines. so as to elfectually paralyze
operations.
SEVERAL OF THE OPERATORS
wired Governor MacCorkle for troops
yesterday. but as the demand did not
come from the Sheriff, the Governor
sent his private secretary, Captain j. B.
White to the scene by a special train
to investigate the situation fully and
report upon it.
This morning a general meeting Of the
coal operators was held at this place,
and written demand upon Sheriff Eff
Ter for protection was drawn up and
signed. The signers represent nineteen
operators mining coal with non-union
men. and representing s2OOOOOO capi-
tai. In reply to this document, the
Sheriff stated that it would be utterly
impossible for him to get deputies, and
that should a riot of any magnitude
take place. he would be powerless. He
then telegraphed the contents of the de-
mand of the operators to Governor Mac
Corkle. and asked for advice as to call
ing for troops. The Governor respond
ed that it was a matter in which the
Sheriff alone could decide. At the time
of writing this telegram, Sheriff Efler
has not made a formal demand for
troops but it is understood here that
the troops are ready to move should
their presence be deemed necessary.
This. it is hoped by some, Will have a
ouieting effect. and
PREVENT FURTHER TROUBLE.
Att D m. all was quiet, but there is
no telling what the ensuing twenty-four
hours may bring forth. Tomorrow be
ing Sunday is regarded by many as an
especially dangerous day, as everybody
will be idle. and there will be abundant
leisure for Matching and executing
plots against the operators and the
railroad.