Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-09
ANSWER MAJ. SIM0NS.
POcAHoNTAs hoard OF TRADE
REPLY TO HIs RECENT LETTER.
A Long Letter from That body
sharply CriticisinE the Command
Ing Officer, the Governor. and the
TrOCps.
PocAHoNTAs. VA, July 8. 1876.

To the Editor Of The Dispatch:
The Board Of Trade OF Pocahontas, Va,
having read and discussed Major S!mons $
letter, published in the Richmond Dis
patch Of June the Goth. and the Richmond
Star Of July %. 20 Br!gad!er-General
Phillips, on tire situation at Pocahcntas'
past and present, after due consideration
have determined that the public are en-
titled TO and shall hdve. as far as Hes In
their power, the facts relative to this
most remarkable junketing expedition OF
Governor OFerralrs. and at the same
time to refuse TO allow Major Simons 10
glorlfy himself by his letter Of self-com-
mendation. and ask for space in your
paper wherein TO give our views.
We will take up Major Simons's letter
from the beginning. but will not under
take to discuss individually the good or
bad deeds Of any private soldier who Is
now or has been here. These young men
while here. we are compelled to say.
failed 10 impress any one. so far as we
have learned. with their fitness for mis-
sionary work. but their department, while
not all that IL should have been. or AT all
times orderly. was perhaps as Bood IS
could have been expected; but IL is not
with the branches. but with the root OF
the evil tree we would deal.
Major Swons said: ''That the charge
that Governor OFerrall ordered the
troops to Pocahontas, without being called
for by local civil authorities. and their
being kept here regardless or the wishes
OF civil authorities is a sheer faDrlcaton,
Upon the call OF the Sheriff OF Tazewell
county received orders to proceed at
once to Graham ETC.. ..,..
After the Governors famous don Z
care-a-hea- bite" speech In Pocanontas IN
the early part of the labor troubles IN
the Flat-Top cNll-felds. In which the
Governor said Hiong with many other
things which very ordinary taste ana
common decency would have forbidden
even the paid attorney OF the corpora
lions Interested from saying, Il am re-
sponsible for these troops in your midst
and my shoulders are broad enough 10
bear all the blame" and which
was published broadcast through
out the State. as well as the
several interviews which Governor
OFerrall secured TO himself while on ms
return trip from here 70 Richmond, winch
IL seems would have 1bashej any ordinary
individual from makins such stal''ilent
as that just quoted from Major sln9hs
letter. but for fear tnat there should De
any question as TO the inaccuracy OF tne
statement referred TO. we subjOin the fol-
owing letters Of Governor OFerrtl 10
John W. Crockett ard w. ). New nhatl'
which. we think, should be entirely con-
elusive: .,r,
POCAHONTAs. VA. Nay II. 1926.
Mr. John ". Crockett. Deputy Shcrin OF
Tazewell County:
Dear Sir.-I understand that some gen
tlemen i'm PoCahOntas think tnat the bOuy
of orderly Virginia troops now IN tneT
midst should not have =. en- oraered tlofgg'
and are charging you with being RESPONSE
BILE for their presence. and are seeking 10
make political capital out OF this charge
Against you. l deem it, therefore. but Just
i. That you did not at any time call
? That in the discharge Of your duty
and I'm obedience to ny request, you
stated TO me the condition Of affairs IN
Pocahontas and the mining region.
8. That on My 1st, received the fol-
lowing telegram from you: "POcahontas
perfectly quiet now: EikhOrn stu on a
strike Would advise that a company OF
troops be Kept in readiness. May 90
in answer 10 a telegram from me Tor
full particulars, you wired me as follows:
Have Just returned from E!knorn'
Everything quiet there; also IN r2ea-
lontas as yet. The strikers from west
Virginia mines propose 10 mold a meeting
1ere Sunday. | cannot foresee the result
Il this time. i am fearful of trouble. /
Hill wire you again If anything trans
Dires."
Acting on the information contained IN
his telegram, not understanding why
BODY OF nOn-resdents should desire 10
come 10 Virginia and into the town Of
Pocahontas or the Sabbath day TO ho.d
A public meeting. uDiess Ii was for me
purpose Of illuminating or menacing the
Pocahontas miners VINO were at Nofk,
whose wages had not been cut, who had
no grievance, who were satisfied and de-
sired to continue work, and believing
there was great danger Of serious trouble,
I determined to send troops 10 preserve
the peace. and protect the men who de-
sired TO work against interference.
You aid nothing but your duty, ana u
you had done less. you would have been
derelict, and IT trouble had occurred
you would have been open 10 severe cen
sure You should be commended for your
course. and | am sure you VIII by an
rlght-thinklng people. Not only properly
rights but, above all. human NE,
whether of high or humble degree. Is
entitled to protection from violence,
whether actual or threatened. and as an
officer Of the law IL was your duty 10
acauaint me with these facts, This You
did. and my personal Investigation mas
convinced me that YOU did not III ans
manner overestimatc thu danger that
threate ned POcahOntas
Yours very respectfully,
(Slgned) CHARLES r. OFERRAlL.
pOCkHONTAS VA Nav H. 1875.