The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-07-07


CHARLESTON, w. Va, July 6.-Gov-
ernor McCorkle's representative at
Elkhorn wires to-day that operators
have made formal demand upon the
sheriff OF Mcdowell county for protec-
tion against threatened outbreak of
miners in that region, and the sheriff
has verbally admitted that he is unable
to give 1t. Be has, however, made no
demands upon the governor for military
assistance, although Governor McCor.
kle states that he Ia IN constant expec-
tation OF such demand.
Tho governor states that while the
men never, during the strike, committed
any infraction of tho law, yet within
the past few days the outlook has ma
terially changed. Instead OF being con-
tent to wait for work to resume, the
men are becoming restless and are con
gregating at various places. MANY OF
them are carrying arms.
Several Of the operators have tried to
resume with non union men brought
from Virginia and against these the
feeling among the strikers Ia very
strong Large bodies of men, some of
them armed, are marching up and down
the valley and while committing no
overt acts, SILL are pracsicing virtual
intimidation. A large body marched
last night to North Fork, with every
seeming Intention OF violence, but were
prevented by civil guards from doing
any harm,
Ills becoming very serious, as the men
long out OF employment have exhausted
every means Of existing and are evil
dently determined that non-union men
shall not work. No outbreak has been
committed, but there is no telling at
what moment they may burn tipples
and destroy railroad property.
"a conference between operators and
the sheriff will determine the future
condition OF affairs this evening. 1
have the situation thoroughly in hand
and in case of an outbreak feel able to
give absolute prote c.ion to all. Special
engines are in readiness to take troops
to the field Of trouble and owing to
service last gear, the troops are evi.
IDENTITY we'll qualified for good service"
A dispatch from Blueheld, W. Va,
says: There is nothing sensational in
the condition of affairs at Pocahontss,
Va. Major Simons reports that the coal
companies there are working a larger
force and getting out more coal than at
any previous time in the history of the
operations. He reports that there was
great deal Of disorder and drunken
ness on the Fourth. and that the West
Virginia miners made an ugly demon
stra.ion at The Tunnels, near the town.
Fully 500 men attended this meeting
Many Of them were armed with Win
ches.ers, and difficulty was narrowly
averted between the strikers and the
railroad guards.
In telegram to Governor O'Ferrall,
Major Simons says that, in his opinion,
unless Governor McCorkle sends troops
to Ellshorn there will be trouble. The
miners are reported ss being democrat
lied, hungry and desperate, and they
are known to have largo supply or
arms on hand. and every means Is being
used to deser the workingmen from en-
tering the mines. Law)ess, their leader,
Is growing bi ter and the element which
he now controls is said to be unmanage-
able.
Governor McCorkle has been notified
by the operators of the change Of affairs,
and telegram came this evening to the
local company here to be ready to 90 to
the fields on a minutes notice. The
companies in West Virginia were min
ing to day, but apprehension exists that
an outbreak is not far of. The firing Of
guns and the use of dynamite in blow
ing up loaded cars have compelled the
coal companies and railroad to increase
their guards.