The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-15
the writer's possession and Is reprssen-
tative Of the others.

the writer's possession and Is reprssen-
tative Of the others.
A Discrepancy
Sheriff ". J. Hatfield OF Mcdowell
county Issued statement which was
published several days ago In which he
said III Sid Hatfield had reasons to be-
lieve there would be trouble. he should
have asked for protection and would
have most certainly received 1t. Gov
ernor Morgan stated soon after the
shooting that he had telephoned Sheriff
Hatfield previously and requested that
he take every step in his power to insure
Sid Hatneld's safety while in Mcdowell
county. There seems TO be some dis
crepancy in these two statements
discrepancy of a very wide nature ana
one which should be cleared up. NO
matter whether the sherin was IN
WEIGH or elsewhere, the fact remains
that Sid Hatfield and ID Chambers
were murdered while on the court house
grounds and by members OF the sher-
ms force OF deputies. but over whom.
II must be remembered. the shSrin had
no influence and no authority. They
were officers of the lN~, and arc yet,
only in 80 far as they cared 10 enforce
1t, using their official power TO murder
a. will for personal reasons and TO
carry out any form Of lawlessness they
might fancy doing. AS body, the
Bald win-Felts detectives have the repu-
tat.on Of being a fearless and lawless
bunch. with no regard for life and an
utter contempt for law and order.
Etu Deputy Ehsr1nA
Sheriff Hathelds friends In WEIGH
sincerely hoped and were Of the opinion
that the first act after his return from
cra!g Healing Springs, Virginia. would
be to cancel the commissions ~ deputy
shcr!ffs Of Lively. Pence. Salters and
any others who might be suspicioned as
being connected with the shooting AT
fray on August /. But so far he has
done nothing Of this kind. Lively. 10
out Of Jail on bond for the shooting OF
Hatfield and Chambers. yet he 10 still
deputy sheriff in Mcdowell county-ht
commission is still IN force and, as far
as can be determined. are all the others.
Friends Of Sheriff Hatfield said that the
least thing the sheriff could do. as we'll
as the right thing for linn to do. was to
cancel the commissions Of all Baldwin
t'elts dctectivesherifrs in Mcdowell
county. This the people OF WEIGH want
him 10 do. They want tho Baldwin
FeIts influence banished from the
county as the people Of West Virginia
Immediately after the murder Lively.
Pence and Salters were arrested. They
were not excited. but were perfectly
calm and assured. They evidently know
that il would only he short time until
they were freed on bail. In this they
were not disappointed. Bail OF $4,000
was furnished within less than an hour
and they were free. three prominent cit
liens Of Welcn going on their bond.
That these citizens Of such we'll known
prominence should be bondsmen for the
murderers created no little talk. behind
closed doors. in Welch. But when the
far-reaching influence Of the Baldwin
Felts agency IS realized 1t can be very
easily understood.
Whole County Tsrrorissd.
There Is a question in the minds OF
many people whether the murderers Of
Hatfield and Chambers will ever b pun
.ishcd. The county officials are sin cere
in their statements that every sfror,
will be made 10 prosecute tho case,
there can be no question OF that. bre
there Is doubt that a jury can be en-
paneied in Mcdowell county which
would dare to bring in a verdict OF
guilty against the accused. The people
are afraid Of tine Baldwin-Felt5 detec-
tives with reason. Many witnesses ~
the trial will be afraid TO testify to the
whole truth. and. in all probability the
Jury will be equally terrorized.
Yes, this condition .,etually exists In
West Virginia. Right at our very doors.
II Is an actual reign Of terror" bloody.
atrocious and terrible. An end can be
reached only by throwing out, and keep
iEg out. such agencies as the Baldwin
Fclts Detectivey Agency. serving as Of
1cers Of the law. but receiving their
nay. and taking orders from private IN
dividuals.
The mine guard system breeds
trouble wherever Il functions this Is
knowledge Of long standing. and there
can never be Industrial tranquility un-
Ill it Is abandoned.