Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-02-26
The FORCES CLASH.
A Battle Between Two Posses and
Rioting Miners.
THREE KILLED and OTHERS HURT
the Trouble Grow Ont Of an Attempt 70
Arrest Thirty Four Miners for Violation
Of Blanket Injunction Issued
tt by Federal Judge.

Charleston, w. Va, Feb. 26.--At
4 Stamford City, in Raleigh county
Vat dawn yesterday morning battle
\ took place between the joint posses
\ of Deputy United States Marsha
I Cunningham and Sheriff Cook on one
side and rioting miners on the other
as a result of which three miners
were killed, two others mortally
wounded and number Of Others
on both sides more or less seriously
hurt. Tho trouble grew out Of an
attempt to arrest "a miners for vio-
lation Of the blanket injunction is
sued by Federal Judge Keller last
y August. On last Saturday Deputy
{ Marshal Cunningham went to Atkins
vile, mining town in Raleigh coun-
ty, to arrest men charged with vio-
lating the injunction. He was sur
rounded by large party of miners
armed with Winchesters, who ordered
him to leave the place, an order
which he quickly obeyed. Sheriff
Cook at the same time attempted to
make some arrests under process
issued by the state court and was
treated In like manner. Cunningham
returned to this city and reported to
the marshal and the district attor-
ney that he could do nothing with
out a large force, and then only at
imminent risk of precipitating q
bloody conflict. He was instructed to
return with men sufficient to serve
the process given him and to do it
ct all hazard. Before Cunningham
returned to Atlinsville, however,
Marshal John X. Thompson and s.
20. Burdette, attorney for the United
Mine Workers, went to the scene,
spending most of Sunday and Mon
day there. They found everything
quiet, the rioters having Withdrawn
from the Immediate nelghborhood
and crossed New river, going into
camp 800 strong near the Big Q mine
On the north side. Thompson and
Burdette came home Tuesday morn
ing and Cunningham and strong
posse went from here to make the
arrests. When Atkinsville was
reached the federal forces were
Joined by sheriff Cook and his posse,
the coal companies nearby furnish
ing some guards and the deputy and
sheriff found themselves in command
pf about 100 well-armed and deter
mined men. The rioters had re-
crossed the river on Tuesday and
were parading up and down before
the various coal works. They num-
bered from 1850 to 200 men, and many
Of them were armed with Winchester
'Tiees. They inundated miners at
work, drove away the guards of the
mines and even went SO far as to dis
arm one guard and force him to
march at the head Of their process
sion. Emboldened by their success,
they attempted to burn down a
bridge Of the c. u 0. railroad over
Piney gulch and threatened destruc-
.tion to other property. Tuesday
night they went into camp near STAN
Milford City, Yesterday morning
about daybreak the officers and their
combined posse surprised the rioters
IN their camp and called on them to
surrender. The reply was shot.
This was answered by a shot and inn
mediately furious fusillade was
raging. When It ceased three of the
rioters lay dead and many others
were found to be wounded, two Of
thern fatally. Beyenty-thfee arresta
.swere made, ten falling TO the share
of Deputy Cunningham md 90 To
that of Sheriff Cook. All The prison.
ers were taken TO Beckley, the coun-
~ seat OF Raleigh, where the ten
United States prisoners were given
'xpreliminary hearing by Commits
sioner Dunn and held for appearance
1t court here. They will be brought
here on an early morning train. The
federal authorities will try to get
the state to give up the 90, SO that
they may be tried in the federal
court, but. It Is doubtful whether 1t
win be done, as the state court meets
J on Monday, and It is thought that
they can be tried more expeditiously
there. s. Z. Bnrdette, attorney for
the United Mine Workers Of America,
went to Beckley yesterday afternoon
70 appear for the miners.
The injunction which the miners
were charged with violating was the
blanket writ issued by Judge B. F.
Keller at the suit Of the Chesapeake
q Ohio Coal Agency company last
August. The injunction covered al
most every foot Of ground in the coal
mining region Of New river.
Advices from the scene Of the con-
fllct last night were TO the effect that
ali IL quiet now, but fears are enter
tanned that trouble will break out
afresh at any moment.
xhs WrssR at smiley. NO.. unimportAst
Topeka, Kan, Feb. 26.--Santa Fe