The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-06
Nearly a Thousand Armed Men
Are in "Offensive."
To Enforce UniOnizatiOn i'm a
West Virginia Field.
OPERATORS PREPARE DEFENSE
Carload of Machine Guns Un-
loaded at Different Points.
Men Disregarded Governors
Pleas To Halt March.

Huntington. w. Va, Sept. 6.-The
Logan county sheriff and armed depu-
ties left Logan today for the head of
Jenny's creek in an effort to halt an
arm of miners who are marching to-
ward the Guyan coal fields. All the
officers are heavily armed. The num-
ber of miners is reported variously at
from 500 to 5000.
Charleston, Sept. give hundred
miners who left Oak Grove this morn
ing to march across the mountains to
tended to enforce unionization in
mines were Joined at Racine on the
Little Coal river by 800 more men. ac-
cording to word received by Governor
Cornwell shortly before noon. All of
the men are said to be armed.
Operators Arm Selves.
According to information received
from a local coal operator, the coal
operators of the Guyan field yesterday
unloaded a. carload of machine guns
at different places in Logan county as
a means of preparation to meet the
miners from the Kanawha and Coal
river fields.
Earlier reports this morning indi-
Gated that the miners would not march
to the GUyGn fields, Logan county. fol-
lowing the appeal made to them last
night by Gov. John J. Cornwell.
Went without Escort.
The governor, without escort. went
to the miners camp and pleaded with
them to desist in their intention and
to await results from what he could
do.
On top of truck used to haul pro-
Jisions, surrounded by hundreds of
minters, the moonlight glinting on the
rifle barrels of the men, Governor
Cornwell asked the miners as Ameri-
can citizens to be American citizens
and preserve order. He did not ask
them to disband and return to their
home, but informed them that he
would do all in his power to aid them,
and that he had called a meeting of
operators and mine officials to discuss
a charge that the miners were re-
fused permission to organize at
Guyan. The governor told them FUR
ther that he had proof that propa-
ganda intended to incite them had
been spread among Cabin Greek min
ers and that there was no verification
of repor: that miners had been shot
down by guards at the Guyan mines.
and that women and children were be-
ing killed.
Rumors and reports of which Gov
ernor Cornwen spoke spread thru the
Kanawga district yesterday and many
of the mines were closed.
During the course of his appeal
tTONeIHOT 0OIHWtll NaS
/ frequently with cheers and with the
conclusion of the address he departed
amid volleys of rifle shots fired by the
men in his honor.
Union officials were of the opinion
this morning that the miners would
abandon their scheme to enforce
unionization at Guyan.
U. S. Keeps Close Watch.
Washington, Sept 6-Governor
Cornwell of West Virginia was in long
distance telephone communication this
/ afternoon with Secretary Baker. rela-
tive to the mine strike situation at
J Coal River.
! Secretary Baker said the governor
/ did not ask for troops, but reported
| the situation at Coal River. on which
! 500 armed miners were marching to-
! day with the plan, it was said. of fore
! ing unic rization of the mines. The
situation will be watched closely. In
| the event that troops are sent to the
/ scene they probably will be ordered
| from Camp Sherman, Ohio.