The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-08-31
miners
Bat TLE
GUARDS
Harding Is Ready
to Declare Mar
tial Law in w.
Virginia

WASHIN0IOS, aug. 3L-
President Harding hAs drawn up
proclamation Of martial law for
the coal mine war area In West
Virginia. Secretary Of War
Weeks announced today.
n federal troops are sent to
the csal regisrs. nTig. Gem Hand
hoits. who has heen inves1lsntjQg.
the situation, win be IN com-
mand The dispatch ef tlse troops
will drpessd on . rcport frsm the
general tomorrow ~ 10 whether
the miners have obeyed Har-
ding's command that they dis
perse.
CHARLESTON. w. Va. Aug. ST.
Miners and deputies are battling
near Crooked creek. below Logan. &C
cording to official advices 10 Gov.
Morgan today.
One man has been killed and one
taken prisoner. the official report
here said. The advices said the vic
tim was one OF the miners.
Maj. Thompson. war department
representative. returning here this
afternoon, after an investigation In
the trouble zone. said the situation
was mot very hopeful
Thompson Immediately began
preparation Of a report to the war
department at Washington
LOGAN, w. Va, Aug. 31.--John
Gore. deputy sheriff. was killed In
the battle at Blaire this morning.
Miners attacked from the town OF
Blair. and charged up the mountain.
but are reported to have been re-
pulsed by Logan first line defense
guards Col. William r. Eubank. in
command Of state forces. appealed to
the governor for reinforcements.
Miners attacked county forces at
dawn near Ethel. Sheriff Chafin de-
ciared. after reports from scouts
were received today.
The miners were driven back TO
Blair.
Chains forces now total 1000
men. equipped with rifles and ma
chine guns. They expected a renewed
attempt to cross the mountains.
PLANES SCATTER
PROCLAMATION
Battle planes scared over Boone
county showerlng down upon the
masses OF armed miners lying behind
the ridge dividing Boone and Logan
counties copies OF the proclamation
issued by President Harding calling
on them TO disperse.
Logan county's first line OF de-
fense. 20 miles long. up and down
the valley Of the Guyandotte. bris.
tied with rifles as hundreds OF vol
unteers from the surrounding coun-
ties poured in to strengthen the
force that will bear the brunt Of the
assault II the miners attack.
All thru the night groups OF armed
citizens. some partly clad in the old
o. d.. some with the "tin hats
steel helmets Of overseas days
tramped or rode into Logan county
and scattered out along the river
line.
on the other side OF the ridge.
where the miners waited for the
dawn. great activity was reported
early today, The miners forces have
been augmented by the arrival OF
hundreds of union men. carrying
rifles. who passed thru Madison. in
Boone county. in automobiles and
traips.
TRY TO
AVERT DISASTER
Maj c. IT, Thompson, U. S. A..
and two representatives of the
United Mine Workers arrived hero
by special train from Charleston
with copies OF President Harding's
which they will carry
thru the miners outposts
to the headquarters of the opposing
camp. They will make a final appeal
to the miners leaders to avert the
disaster that Is certain TO follow
their failure to obey the presidents
command to dispense.
Special trains from Huntington
and southwestern counties brought
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