Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-07-06
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
Charleston, W. Va, July 5.-The
Governor late this afternoon received a
very urgent demand for troops to pro-
tect life and property in the Flat Top
region. and tonight private secretary
White is speeding to the scene on a
special train.
Information received at the Govern
or's Office this morning was not of a
reassuring nature.
Each day finds the strikers in a moro
belligerent mood and threats have be-
come more numerous. Wednesday night
some imported labor was hustled across
the State line into Virginia at the
points of the strikers Winchesters and
given fair warning not to return.
The operators held a meeting last
night and decided to make an effort TO
start on Monday or Tuesday. The strik-
ers obtained that information to-day
and are determined to force crisis.
About 4 o'clock this afternoon Gov
ernor MacCorllle received
THE FOLLOWING TELEGRAM
from the President of the Pulaski Iron
Company, dated Harrisburg, Pa:
"Our men at work at Eckman, your
State, threatened and interfered with,
and there is danger Of riot, destruction
of property and bloodshed If troops
are not sent, we ask protection"
Few minutes later a dispatch was re-
ceived from Elk Horn describing the
situation as extremely critical. The
strikers are heavily armed with Win
chesters and overawe and drive import
ed labor from the works by threats Of
death. Negroes meet trains nightly
and prohibit labor from disembarklng.
The message also stated that an out
break was imminent
AT THAT POINT.
On receipt of the above the Governor
wired Sheriff Efer, of McDowell:
"a demand came for troops to pro-
tect life and property. Go Immediate
ly and investigate and wire full re-
port Of the exact situation. If the oc-
caslon demands it, don't fail call for
troops"
J. w. Lawless, labor leader IN the
Flat Top region, was informed of the
situation and asked to preserve peace.
Secretary John Baker White left on
a special train this evening for Elk
Horn, with instructions to wire the sit
uation Immediately to mis- chief, who
regards it most threatening.
At 10 o'clock it looks like a riot on
Elk Horn is inevitable. Governor Mac
Corkle has held off calling troops and
used every possible means to avert call
ing on the military to preserve the
peace but the miners have ventured up
on private property, armed, and have
drawn men from work. 1t looks now as
if a riot cannot be avoided and the Gov
ernor has just issued orders for the
whole Of the Second Regiment to get
under arms and be ready for transpor-
tation to Flat Top by midnight. Spe-
cial trains have been provided and are
in waiting.
One thousand armed men are at Elk
Horn and are determined to destroy
property and take out imported men
who arrived to-day.
At II o'clock Gov MacCOrkle receiv-
ed a telegram from Elkhorn that the
greatest excitement prevails throughout
the whole region.
Large mobs of armed men are passing
to and fro loudly yelling threats to
working miners. Ate o'clock four hun
dred armed men marched upon the
Crozier works. but were met by q guard
of IS and forced to move on. They are
now approaching other collieries and
swear that every man shall stop work.
An outbreak is momentarily feared,
and troops are asked for.
The Governor has received assurances
( from different railroad superintend-
ents that special trains are in waiting
for the military, which is now assem-
bled at their several armOries.
The situation seems to be growing
more desperate every hour.