The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-03-05
BATTLE WITH OFFICERS.
As a Result Three Msn Are Dead and Two
Mortaily Wounded.

Charleston, w. Va. (SpeciaD. AT
Stamford city, Raleigh county. ter
rible battle occurred at dawn between
the joint posses of deputy United
States Marshal Cunningham and Shcr-
III Cook on one side and rioting min
ers on the other, as a result OF which
three miners were killed, two others
mortally wounded and a number OF
others on both sides more or less SER
iously hurt.
The trouble grew out OF the attempt
to arrest thirty-four miners for vio-
lation OF the blanket injunction Issued
by Federal Judge Keller last August.
Deputy Marshal D.. w. Cunningham
went last Saturday to Atkinsville,
mining town in Raleigh county, to ar
rest men charged with violating the
injunction. He was surrounded by a
large party OF miners armed with ri
fles, who ordered him to leave the place
AN order which he quickly obeyed
Sheriff Cook at this time attempted to
make some arrests under process is
sued by the State Court, and was treat.
cd in a like manner
Cunningham returned to this city
and reported to the marshal and dis
trict attorney that he could do moth
ing without large force, and then
only at imminent risk OF prcciptating
bloody conflict. He was instructed TO
return with men sufficient to serve the
process given him. and to do it at all
hazard Before Cunningham returned
to Atkinsvile, however. Marshal John
X. Thompson and S. {. Burdette, at
torney for the United Mine Workers
went to the scene, spending most OF
Sunday and Monday there. They found
everything quiet, the rioters having
withdrawn from the immediate neigh
borhood and crossed New river, goino
into camp 900 strong near the Big 9
mine. on the north side.
Thompson and Burdette came home
Tuesday morning and Cunningham
and strong posse went from here t.
make the arrests. When Atkinsvillc
was reached, the federal forces were
joined by Sheriff Cook and his posse
the coal companies nearby furnished
some guards and the deputy and shc--
if found themselves in command OF
dDOui lulluTcu WSIl dIIlIcu anu uCtti-
mined men. The rioters had recross-
ed the river on Tuesday and were pa.
rading up and down before the vari-
ous coal works from $50 to 200 men
armed with rifles. They intimidated
miners at work, drove away the guards
OF the mines and even went so far as
to disarm one guard and force him &c
march at the head OF their procession.
Emboldened by their success, they at
tempted to burn down bridge OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad over
Piney gulch and threatened the de-
struction OF other property.
About daybreak the officers and Their
combined posse surprised the roter;
in their camp and called on them tc
surrender. The reply was shot. This
was answered by shot, and immedi-
ately a furious battle was raging.
When it ceased three OF the rioters
lay dead and many others were found
to be wounded two of them fatally.
Seventy-three arrests were made, ten
falling to the share OF Deputy Cunning
ham and sixty-three to that OF Sheriff
Cook. All the prisoners were taken tc
Beckley. the county seat OF Raleigh.
where the United States prisoners were
given a preliminary hearing by Com
missioner Dunn and held for appear
ance here