The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1915-08-27
CAN FEUDALISM
Be ABOLISHED
Ayers He Was Attacked by
Mine Guards.
Assaulted on Street, Seeks Aid
Of Acting Governor M'Deimott
of kentucky.


suggest some means for the "aboli-
ton OF feudalism in Kentucky" w.
o. Smith, international representa-
tive of the United Mine Workers of
America, today addressed an open
letter to the Governor.
Smith charges that he was the
victim of mob assault and was gross
ly insulted on recent visit to
Clay, Webster County, Ky. He as
serts he was attacked by mine
guards and that, altho he appealed
to both the Town Marshal and the
Sheriff for protection, neither of
them came to his aid.
Smiths letter follows:
Central City, KY, Aug. 23,1915
-"Hon. Edward j. McDermott,
''Acting Governor of Kentucky,
"Frankfor, Ky.
my Dear Sir: / desire to ask
some very important questions re-
lating to my constitutional rights
and particularly to my right of per-
sonal liberty as citizen of my State
and as citizen of my country.
Mysterious Phone Call.
ION Thursday, the 10Th inst, in
company with Mr.. j. V. .Poag, of Mad
isonville, Ky, / went to Clay, Web
ster county, Kentucky. After regis
tering at the Watson Hotel the only
hotel in the city, we went to, the
home of Mr.. WEIGH, former neigh
Dor of mine. Shortly after arriving
at Mr.. Welch's home l received a
mysterious telephone call but failed
to learn who called me.
ION our way back to the hotel we
were Swallowed by number of coal
company guards who even followed
us to our rooms in the hotel. On
our way back to the hotel we were
met by three guards who accosted
us and. after asking us, with an
oath. what. we were doing in Clay,
began to hurl bitter epithets at US.
In a moment they were Joined by
two more guards. One of the num-
Der took hold of me and told the
others to BEAT hell out of my
friend"
On Peaceful Mission.
Being ON peaceful mission, not
being armed and having no desire
to have any difficulty with them, we
started on to our hotel. But the
guards accompanied us, cursing and
abusing us all the while. When we
arrived at the hotel asked the pro-
prietor If he could afford any pro-
lection to his guests. He said there
was nothing he could do. then
sent for the Chief of police who
sent word that he could not come to
the hotel and that If we wanted to
see him we would have to come out
on the street. then telephoned
to the Sheriff of the county, who
said he could do nothing until some
act of violence had been committed.
Now, this all happened in an incor-
porated town, in the county of Web
ster, and in the grand old Common
wealth of Kentucky.
"While it is true that had gone
to Clay as a representative of organ
lied labor, in the interest of the en-
shaved miners in the employment of
a Western Kentucky coal company.
had not been on the company's
premises nor had l been off the pub |
lie streets of the city. l had not /
even spoken to an employee of the
company.
1--WE are only exercising one of I
our constitutional rights. the right !
Of personal liberty, going where we
pleased to go so long as we did not
with the rights of others.
when we were abused. insulted, as
and deprived of our consti-
rights by mob made up of
heartless thugs whose primary duty
is to intimidate and coerce the min
ers of this country and insult. as
sault and drive out of the county
their would be emancipators.
Recognizing your ability as a law :
yer and truly believing that you
appreciate the supreme Importance
Of every one enjoying In the fullest