The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-07-18

Nhih, w. va, July ll.-(Speclal)-
night every miner in this field has
joined the strikers. The number of men
who went out is estimated at 5000. Ag-
itators left this evening for the Flat Top
field
A MINER MURDERED.
Bluefeld, July IT, Especially John
Written, a coal operator, shot and killed
Eli Burrus to-day Burrus WIS a miner
of Purcell Cross Roads, and he wa try
ing to induce the miners to strike when
Written met and shot him.
MANY MEETINGS TODAY.
Blnefield, w. Va, July 17-(Special)-
The excitement over the strike of the
miners here is abating somewhat Some
of the miners who went out at the Elk.
horn and Shamokin operations have gone
back to work. There has been no trouble
atany of the other collieries in the Field.
Grand Master Workman Sovereign, of
the knights of Labor, was at Thacker
yesterday to aid in getting the men to
come out.
1t rs thought If nothing is done 'at the
meetings to be held throughout the Field
tomorrow, that there will be no further
trouble.
The Bluefeld Telegraph says: Yester-
day saw change in the status of affairs
IN this field. Agitato,s have been busy
FOR some days, and it was thought that
their efforts would be in vain but they
have succeed in measure and a few
men have quit work.
The miners Mt Shomokin and Elkhorn
nave quit work, and it is reported that
others have followed. 1t is not thought
snat the strike will be general The
Norfolk and Western has placed guards
at it's bridges and tunnels, in some coun-
ties calling on the authorities to guard
their properties. This move Is precau-
tionary, but we. believe senseess, as from
all the information we can get the men are
| peaceful.
This strike is inudvised; the men could
have attained better ends by remaining t
work.
| President Ratchford and Secretary
Pearce have issued an official bulletin to
the miners, 1t being review of the situa-
tion. The bulletin says:
Our fight tor living wages row covers
IN whole or in part eight States of the
Union. 1t is n general suspension, and
no local settlements will be authorized ar
recognized. The second week and eighth
day OF our suspension brings with il
greater assurance of ultimate victory
than any previous day. Our forces are
Increasing every hour, our determination
is unfiinching. and our actions are law
abiding liz every particular"
In relation to the various fields he
makes this reference to this State;
West Virginia-.About 5000 miners
have Joined the movement. Reports
from various sections of the State con
firm the belief that miners will suspend.
Eight organizers have left this city to day
for West Virginia. Supply of coal from
that field will be cut off in a very few
| days.
1.-The supply of coal is fast hecoming ex-
hausted at the various distributing points.
Railroads are confiscating shipments.
cities are almost without supp y; in fact,
e coal famine is near at hand.''
MINERS WAGES.
Columbus, Ohio, July 17.-President
Ratchford has mailed personal requests
to miners throughout the country asking
for statements regarding the wages they
receive, for publication tor the benefit of
the public.
Thirty nine miners in the Sunday
Creek Valley have been heard from.
Since early in the spring the wages OF
these men for each two weeks has aver.
aged S5.74 each. The total earnings was
S.53'o, ana Tor the same period their in,
debtedness to the operators for rent, pro
visions, mining material, etc, aggregated
S6l ~, leaving the miners in debt to
their employers in the sum of 1896. n
President. Ratchford says this is feir
| sample of the condition of tbo ,,,;,,,.