The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-05-19
ORGANIZER FOR
SOCIALIST PARTY
BADLY BEATEN UP
g. r, Parsons Assaulted In
Broad Day Light at
Colfax Station.
IS ADVISED TO LEAVE
Says He Will Pay No Atten-
tion to Threats Against
Life.

Yesterday morning G. F. Parsons,
an organizer sent into this section OF
the, state by the Socialists and who
has been quite active left the city for
'sax on the ITO train dressed neatly
hooking fresh and healthy. Some
iuring the afternoon he appear.
the streets with one black eye,
kollen and bleeding nose. an ear
DNed with coagulated blood. con.
fused wound behind that car and the
general appearance OF a man who had
been thrown through rail fence.
Parsons explanation for the change
In his appearance was simplicity itself.
He had been the recipient OF the earn.
est, attentions of a pair OF well dress
ed and cold blooded thugs who had de-
iiberately beaten him w iu broad day
light.
According to the story Parsons told
when he got back to Fairmont, when
he went to the ticket off;ce OF the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad to buy
ticket a man about his own size the
Is about medium height and a bit
overweight) stood right close to the
brass railing. After Parsons had
moved away from the window this
fellow slapped down 10 cents and also
demanded ticket TO Colfax.
At the time Parsons attached no
particular significance to the incident
and he did not become suspicious ev.
on when two men beside himself
alighted from the train at his deStina.
Iion. The third fellow was small
man wearing what Parsons describes
as an expensive overcoat. This the
little fellow began to peel off MS soon
ssarsbs. stepped from the train. The
flashed through -arsons' mind
NE two were going 20 take a
k'across the country for some pur-
pse. 1t was not long, however, be.
l9fore he had occasion to change his
opinion, for without word the two
fellows hit him a singing blow in
the face which spun him around but
\ did not knock him down. T;len while
his face was turned around from the
precious pair he was nit oenind tho
ear and he went down. Ills impress
sion Is that the blow was delivered
by the little fellow who did not say
"a word throughout the encounter.
How often he was hit after that Par.
yet had time 10 count his wounds.
However, before they let him up thu
big fellow kicked him several times
inSthe face.
When they did let him up the big
fellow said to him that he had better,
leave the country or ne would be
killed. Then as the entertainment
committee was moving off the little
fellow found his voice long enough to
make suggestion that Parsons had
better go to nearby farmhouse that
I he Indicated with wave Of his hand
.sand get washed up" But by this
tim0 Parsons suspicious had been
thoroughly aroused ana not knowing
Just what sort OF reception he would
get at place so recommended he
moved off in the direction Of Fait.
mont. Eventually he met man who
took him to the home OF J. =. Wcakley
who lives near Colfax. There he was
cleaned up as we'll as might he but
u when he got back to town his trouscra
were still spotted with blood that had
flowed from his nose and the wounds
on his head and ear.
sS.sThe assault took place where the
tIdlH At tHc SOiiuN nluttpl
II was witnessed by two women who
were standing in front Of the post.
Y office which is hard by. Parsons does
\ not know the names OF these two wom.
en- nor II there were any more witness.
es. His purpose in going to Colfax
was to post notices announcing
speech which he intends to make In
that town Saturday night. He declar.
ed this morning that the beating up
that he got will not have tho slightest
effect upon his program and that the
speech will be made just as he intend.
cd. ]. H. Snder well known local
merchant and active member of the
Socialist party who little over two
years ago was victim Of somewhat
similar outrage near Shinnston will
accompany Parsons to ColfaX Saturday
e night