Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-02
MOUNDSVILLE STIRRED UP

Over the Political Efforts of Penitentiary
Warden Hawk.
The Moundsville town election occurs
on the 9th inst, and it is about the
hottest political fight ever known in the
Marshall county metropolis, particularly
for the Office of Mayor. Mr.. Parkinson
is the straight Republican candidate
for that Office, while present Mayor
l.. B. Purdy is the candidate of the
citizens, the Democrats having no can
didate.
new factor has been introduced in
to the contest in S. A. Hawk, of Hun
tir gton, warden of the Penitentiary,
who is very much for Parkinson, and
who appears to have resOrted to some
original methods to secure the election
of his candidate on the head Of the
Republican ticket.
Last Monday Warden Hawk is said
to have called w. w. Smith, manager
of the Land Company, which operates
coal mine, to his office, and told him
he understood J. w. Berry, manager
of the mine, had informed his men
their living depended on the election of
Mr. Purdy, the independent candidate.
Mr.. Smith disclaimed any knowledge
of the matter, and said the company
had no information. He then called
upon Mr.. Berry, who denied the charge,
and requested Mr.. Smith to ascertain
from Mr.. Hawk his source of informa-
ton. So far this has not been di-
vulged. Mr.. Berry then saw Warden
Hawk and again made denial of the
assertion. What followed is thus
stated by the Moundsville Echo:
Well said the warden, Il tell you
that if the vote of the miners is cast
for Lew Purdy and he is elected, NY
business ceases with the coal coin
pany."
Mr.. Berry said he didn't understand
why he vented his spite against the
coal company, as they had never done
him any harm. The warden replied
that he didn't want to have any bust
ness transactions with corporation
that would uphold a man who had
treated himself and the institution as
Purdy had done.
81 never can tell how the miners
vote, how will you know?" Mr.. Berry
asked.
1.-The vote in the Third Ward will
show" was the Warden's reply
WELL" said Mr.. Berry, Il only
attempt to control and know how one
vote is cast, and that one is my own,
and it will be cast for Lew Purdy
whether you ever buy another pound
of coal there or not Now [ suppose
you want me to go up and tell the
miners that if they don't vote for
Parkinson the mine will lose your con-
tract. I'll never do such a thing as
that in the interest of anybody The
people who work at the mines are free
people and vote for who they please.
"And now will you tell me where
the difference would come in, between
my controlling the vote of the miners
for Purdy by threat of discharge, as
you pretend to claim | do, and your
asking me to control them for Parkln-
son under threat of losing part or their
work by your cancelling the prison
contract, as you threaten to do? And
| suppose that you have sent the same
word to other people in town who
furnish anything for the prison, as you
have to the coal company"
Yes sir, l have, to all of them"
said the warden.
and on election day every man
employed by you will get orders to
vote against Purdy or lose his job,
will he?" was Mr.. Berry's next ques-
ton.
well, it would be no more than
right for them to do so, after the way
he has treated me and this admins
tration," Mr.. Hawk said.