Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-20

Was Not Of a Serious Character
and Light Penalies Are Expected.
The Coal Strike Situation.
Special to the Register.
Fairmont, W. Va, August 19.-Al-
though the chief interest in the coal
strike in this region centers to-day in
the trial Of the marchers who are be
fore the United States Court, Of Judge
Cor. at Clarksburg. the situation at
the Montana mines. where the campers
are located. has caused alarm among
the sympathizers Of the strike. AT
that mine to-day nearly all the old
men were at work, showing that since
the marching has been stopped by
Judge Jackson's injunction. the ope,
rators are able TO prove the declara-
ton that the men wanted to work.
but we're deferred by the intimidating
influence Of the marchers
In the camp, however, the strikers
are happy, and seem to be living better
than when at work The strikers
wives are still there and are assisting
in the culinary work and making the
place bright by their presence.
At the other mines in this region
there is but little change, a few more
men having been induced to go to
work.
At Clarksburg the twenty-seven al
legged contemptuous strikers were
brought before Judge GOf this morn
ing Hon. John J. Davis, a brilliant
young lawyer of "A, who has been for
three years a teacher in ~ asnngtOn
and Lee University. was assisted in the
defense by W. Scott. of Clarksburg.
Hlr. Davis moved the dismissal of the
defendants on account of irregularity
YOf their arrest, pleading that the in
! junction should have been sSld TO
kthem, and that a renort -sub-
--c1ent action made TO thS'court before
2EEssts-weFe made, holding that there
Cwas no legal warrant for their arrest
FLOR contempt till the court so and
specially ordered.
This motion was overruled, and the
trial proceeded. The prosecution
placed Clarence Watson and James
Otis Watson. Jr., of the Watson Coal
Company. and L S Marshal Randolph
and Deputy Sheriff Rufus Morgan up
on the stand during the day. The gist
OF their testimony was that the strikers
had marched uDOn the public roads
in contempt Of Judge JdcksOn's second
GRA Ihey admitted that the men
on the county road, and
ssed upon the property
'anies Marshal Ran
them to march
lad secured a band,
nd fro, along the road
'Of the Watson Com
working miners had
work.
admitted that the march
bred to the marshal that
want 10 commit any riot
b that they merely desired
ne the workers not to go
Zines. and not to intmidate
Nearing of the testimony Of
witnesses occupied the day till
sbck, when court was adjourned
AOrning.l and the prisoners returned
iii.
he general opinion here is that the
lSOners will be given a nominal fine,
d brief prism terms. the evidence
ing TO show that there was no violent
Traction Of tie courts order. and
hat most Of the.men were merely fol-
bwing what they believed to be their
ightful privilege
James Wood is az Clarksburg. CO.
berating with the strikers attorneys.
fIe has financial backing TO see the
(ases properly cared fer. and is using
ft judiciously.
There is a marked Chalge in the feel
ings Of every one here outside of the
strikers camp. The public believe the
strike is broken. and thu miners are
Avery slow to continue the fight in the
Yfcce Of the prospect Of Immediate ar
! rest. The filing Of the Montana mine
to-day was a heart-breaker for Rea
)and the organizers, who believed the
Montana men were out because they
4 favored the strike.
This morning at 3 a. n $50 Of the
miners at Camp O'Connel started for
the West FairmOnt shaft. bur not in a
body. as that would be marching.
Seven or eight in a squad gathered
there about the time the men went to
work. but the marshals lelrned of il
and were there and served njuuctions
on them. They also ordered them not
TO lOiter around the shaft (which is
one Of the Watson mineS). lest they
might be arrested and taken 70 Clarks-
burg. The men diSbanded ano came to
this place, where they hung arpund un-
oil evening. eager TO hear the news from
ClarkSbUrg.
Since so many papers have taken up
the refusal 20 grant burying ground
f3r the child Of a MonOngah striker.
\ the whole story may prove interesting
Some time ago the Catholic chur,h and
few private individuals bought the
cemetery. but later il was sold ID four
] stockholders. Two Of these eac1 own
one-third, and are high men u the
management OF the cOmpany'S affairs.
AThe other third Is owned Jointly by one
the superintendents and n,arby
armer The last named has managed
the cemetery and claims that only hree
out Of the forty graves there have Aeen
ukid for. Now the owners deny that
lev were asked permission, but the
en there say the story 20 to-dAys
Eistar gives the exact facts.