The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-07
SHOTS FIRED AT
 REPUBLIC GUARD
Sheriff's Orders Put Into Gen.
 eraI Effect Over County
UGLY TONE AT MARY LEE
Guards In That Section Were Largely Increased Last Night-Major Thur ston Has Not Yet Reported
 For Duty.

Several shots were fired at the man on guard at the magazine in Republic last night, but no one was injured. Beyond this disturbance no violence of any kind was reported In the coal strike district yesterday, though matters were taking on an ugly look around the Mary Lee mines last night.
 The affair at Republic took place at 10 o'clock. Without any notice a number of shots were fired from the darkness and the bullets whzzed close by the deputys head. He fired back in the direc- ton from which the shots came but was unable to see any one.
 Sheriff Higdon's orders that no gather ings would be allowed throughout the ter ritory affected by the strike were put into effect yesterday, though no arrests were made on this particular charge. At a number of places particularly Adams vile, there were large gatherings around the depots and strikers ration supply houses.
 Deputies were sent to the different places to disperse the crowds. squad of over dozen was sent to Adamsville, where a large crowd had congregated, but experienced no trouble in breaking up the gatherings
 At some of the places persons in the crowd wanted to know if they were not to be allowed to hold church meetings. This was replied to that they certainly could be held, but that a prayer meet ing could not be turned into a meeting of fiery speeches regarding the strike They were also advised that union and secret order meetings could be held in the reg ular meeting places as long as they were peaceable.
 In regard to the pos.offices and ration stations, they were told that they could .go there if they had business at either of these places. but must leave as soon as it had been attended to. For instance at one place some 30 men were at the ra- tion house, and when asked their business there stated that they were loading wagons. The deputies advised them that the few wagons at the store would not require 30 men to load them, and that 1t would be necessary for those not di- rectly interested to disperse.
 At Mary Lee matters assumed such an ugly aspect that the guards on duty there last night were increased to about 40 men, These men were stationed in such position that it would have been almost impossible for any one to have approached within several hundred wards of the company buildings without being detected. A large space around the build ings is also brilliantly lighted by electric lights.
 Major Thurston. the retired regular army officer, who was ordered to Bir- mingham upon request of Governor Conner, has not yet put in his appear ance, but is expected at any time. The exact duties which Major Thurston will assume are not known, but it is believed that he will act for the governor In the handling of orders and be practically in charge of the troops. For instance. if Sheriff Hgdon advises the governor that troops are needed to quell disorder in a certain place, Major Thurston will ir- struct the commanding officer of the Ma tional Guard that Governor Conner orders men placed at this point.
 Major Thurston is we'll known in Ala hama. having been lieutenant colonel in the Second Alabama regiment of volun- teers during the Spanish-American war.
 Yesterday made an exact month for the coal miners strike, the strike having been declared on July 6.