The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-07-30
NICOL EXPLAINS CAUSE OF TRAGEDY
 AT CARBON HILL
Deputy Resented Remarks Made By
 Negro Striker Against Men Who Were Working In the Mines

Carbon Hill, July 2s.-(special.)- James Nicol, Jr.. superintendent of the Galloway Coal Company here, has is- sued the following formal statement regarding the shooting last night, in which two were instantly killed and several wounded:
 About 4SO o'clock yesterday after noon one of the striking negro miners, Arthur Hughes. came to the commits sary of the Galloway Coal Company, as has been his custom for the last sew eral days, in which he has intimidated the men who were at work and who come to the store to trade in the after noon. calling them scabs in a number of instances, and making remarks as to what would happen to them in case they did not quit work.
 Ben Barrett, who has been deputy for the last thirty five years and one of the most popular men in this section of the country, noted for his justice and fairness, approached the negro
 
 him discontinue his intimidation of the men at work After some words Bar rett slapped the negro for an insolent remark. The negro agreed to leave the premises and not to return. He imme- diately left and went to a group or striking miners who had congregated near the commissary, and talked to white striker named Will Hicks. In little while Hicks approached Barrett and asked him why he slapped the ne- gro. Barrett informed him at length of the difficulty, to which Hicks re- piled that he (BarretD would be settled with later.
 Hicks then left and Barrett went home to supper Later in the evening, about 6:3O o'clock, Barrett walked down the main street of Carbon Hill and be- gan talking to a friend about seventy five feet away from a pavilion opposite the depot, where Hicks and quite a number of striking miners were in close conversation. Barrett started toward the pavilion and Hicks, without warn ing, began to shoot over the heads Of his companions at Barrett After sev- eral shots Barrett fell, mortally wounded Hicks then attempted to get away by the south side of the town and passed the home Of Oliver McNade, miner, who had just returned from work at No. Il mine. with his mine clothes on. McVade made an attempt to stop Hicks and pistol duel re- suited, in which McVade was killed. After McVade was down on the ground, Hicks went to him and beat him on the head with the butt of his pistol.
 By this time quite a number of men had joined in the chase and Hicks crossed the dirt road into the bushes. While surrounded here he was shot twice with shotguns by those pursuing him, and was then brought to the doc tors office.
 "Oliver McVade was young man 24 years of age, a native of Carbon Hill, and one of the best workers of the Gal loway Coal Company. He is survived by a wife and three small children. McVade's sister tried to help out in the general melee and was wounded in the left arm. stray bullet struck a young boy by the name of Mcdonald and perforated his lungs, and he is now in hospital in Birmingham in a seri- ous condition. It is considered mirac- ulous that others were not killed in the reckless shooting.
 "The town is wrought up over the tragedy, and the popularity of Barrett and McVade has intensified the situa- tion."