Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-30
TROOPS ARRIVE TO
GUARD COAL MINES
IN WEST VIRGINIA
500 U. S. Infantrymen Pre-
pared to Quell All Dis
orders in the Fields.
OWNERS REVEAL PLOTS
TO KILL N0NUNION MEN
Governor Called for Soldiers
When Told Strikers Intended
to Slay Operators.

WILLIAMSON, W. VA. August 22.-
intantrymen arrived here this morn
ing from Camp Sherman, at Chilli
Gothic. Ohio, under the command Of
Colonel Samue, 'urihardt. Jr.. pre-
pared to qucil all disorder in the
mining fields about Williamson and
in Pike County. Ky.. adjoining. where
striking mine workers and the forces
OF the coal operators have been at
odds since July %. when the Free
burn camp. in the latter county. was
shot up"
Colonel Burkhardt was met by T.
NJ. Davis. adjutant general OF West
Virginia. representing Governor john
J. Cornwcll, who yesterday asked the
government for troops because OF dis
orders in connection with the coal
strike in the Mnso field during the
summer. They visited number OF
points in the district and mapped out
distribution OF the troops. OF the
sixty-iivc mines in the district,
twenty or moro have remained open
during the strike. according to op-
orators.
The situation throughout Mingo
County is quiet tonight. and the resi-
dents have been relieved by arrival
OF the soldiers.
Their presence was welcomed par
,icularly. according TO local authori-
ties. in view of the approach of the
trials OF twcntyfou- men indicted
for the killing at Matewan May 10.
OF seven detectives. the Mayor of
the town and TWO other men in a
battle between miners, citizens and
private detectives.
The trials are set for tho term OF
court here September G. Since the
grand jury Investigation of the Mat
evan battle. number OF witnesses
in the case have received letters
threatening their lives and property.
according to statement issued by
Governor Cornwcll last night. as
signing his reason for calling Federal
troops. One of the threats was car
ricd into execution when Ansc Hat
field was shot from ambush at Mat
evan recently, the Governor said.
the Second and Fortieth Infantry
Regiments. both OF them crack out
fits, will be scattered in small de-
iachments throughout both nclds.
with the aim Of forccfully putting
down the first attempt on the part OF
strikers to employ violence in fore
ing their demands on the mine on
orators. some OF whom received warn
!nes That they would be killed
Full Riot Equipment.
Although Colonel Burkhardt's or
ders are scaled, his force is armed
with the regulation riot equipment.
consisting. beside rifles, Of a fun COM
plement of machine guns and one
pound cannon. Major Roy Ashbrools
is second in command OF the troops.
Authorities of Pike County, Ky.
nave several confessions from mon
VINO were involved in the shooting
AT inc Freeburn camp last month and
at the works OF the Glen Alum Coal
Company. near Williamson. w. Va.
on the 18th of this month These
statements show that the same ari
tatoTs were involved in the staging
OF both of these outbreaks. and tha,
the main perpetrators have gotten
out q! the district, although State
police are carrying on a thorourh
search for them with warrants for
their arrest.
The statements obtained by the au-
thoritics give fun details of ,bo n,,,,.
laid for the shooting parties in both
'iS'"hccs. inc deponents naming the
u"'eS ol the meetings of miners in
organizations. ut which they say tho
"''"S were iaid and the varions in
SURG ehts assigned TO their posts.
Hithoush some attempt was made
10 snow that the plans called for
Shootlns with the sole intent To
scare the men ut work." in one demo
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