The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-25
All Paths and Passes in the Hills on
West virginia-k entucky Border
BristIing with Winchesters.
WOMEN BITTER AS THE MEN
"DOWN WITH GOVERNMENT BY IN
JUNCTION." THEY CRIED.
Fire of Twenty or Thirty Rifles d.
rected at the Deputy Marshals
Until They Fled.

HUNTINGTON W. Va, June H.-To-day
a posse of deputy United States marshal',
led by A. c. Hufford, of Bluefeld, We're
fired on by the strikers and forced TO flee
from the coal fields at Matewan. Yester-
day afternoon the marshals, under the
leadership of A C. Hufford, set out from
Bluefield to reach the scene of the miners
riots. When they arrived within twenty
miles of Thacker they found they could
proceed no further by rail, on account of
the flood. The struck out across the noun
tains, encountering ALMOST unsurmountable
difficulties, and late Sunday afternoon
reached their destination. Proceeding to
work. they began serving the injunction
which had been issued by Judge Jackson.
A mob of strikers followed. armed to the
teeth On all sides could be heard Down
with government by Injunction" Men
threatened the posse with their weapons.
women called down the vengeance of
heaven upon them and children hurled
stones. When nightfall came notice had
been served on the strikers of all the coal
companies but one, and that was to be
served at the Lick Fork Coal and Coke
Company at Thacker.
Fearing an ambush the posse waited until
morning, and early to-day set out for
Thacker. Some time before noon they at
tempted TO serve the injunction papers
a the colliery. A mob followed, enraged
to desperation at the sweeping character
of the injunction. One reckless man fired
the first shot, and quick lightning the
mountain sides echoed and re-echoed with
resounding reports that followed the crack
of twenty or thirty rifles. The deputies
were forced to take refuge in flight, and
then barely escaped with their lives.
The strike situation is assuming a serious
aspect Sheriff Hatfield has withdrawn all
his deputies, because. 1t is said. he does
not believe in the policy being used to put
down the strike. The United States mar
shals have been left alone, and. after be-
ing chased from the fields to-day, il is
believed they will be strongly reinforced
and ready to fight when they again appear
to enforce the injunction.
The river divides West Virginia from
Kentucky. On each side the mountains
are almost perpendicular and the entire
distance from bank to bank is not more
than five hundred yards. On the mountain
side of West Virginia the colleries are
located. On the Kentucky side are nothing
out mountain pains. "A lot OF strikers, al
most q thousand strong, have crossed over
into Kentucky and are occupying the noun
tain passes. There they are out Of the
reach of the deputy marshals, and COM
mand the entrances to the colieries. The
strikers have nothing but hatred and con-
tempt for the marshals, and it is said that,
at the mass meeting at Thacker on Satur-
day night, they decided TO ignore the in
junction.
The guards now on duty in the six COL
lieries in the district are selected from the
ranks of nonunon men and number all told
about 100. They are heavily armed and
with the advantage of position, would make
stubborn resistance. 1nus far they have
succeeded in enforcing the company's de-
mand against trespassing by strikers Ii
is expected that crisis will be reached
Wednesday, when, it is currently reported
writs of ejectment will be served on strik-
ers occupying company houses This if
anything, will precipitate hostilities as not
even temporary quarters could be provided
for the homeless men and their families all
available property at Thacker and Ma
tewan being in use. and Williamson is badly
crippled for shelter by reason of a recent
fire.