The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-15
MINERS WOMEN
STAY AT HOME
Two MObs Of Men Form But
Are Dispersed.
Kansas Coal Fields Are Omi-
nOusly Quiet.
CLAIM ALL MINES CLOSED
~Recruiting Sergeants" Busy
Augmenting Amazon Forces.
Cavalry Detachments to Vari-
Gus Danger Points.
CLAIM ALL MINES CLOSED

Pittsburg, Kan, Dec. 15.-State
troopers, scattered in detachments
thru the red" districts of the Kansas
coal fields, began systematic patrol
duty at noon today.
A quiet comparable with one OF
those lulIs in Flanders fields which
preceded some terrific onslaught, per
vaded the entire district.
Striking miners and the victorious
"shock troops" c the Amazon army
which in a three-day offensive have
practically closed down every mine in
the field, turned out en- masse to see
the soldiers.
no violence was offered. Naught
but sullen stares greeted the soldiers
as they took the posts assigned them
Cavalry Ride To Posts.
one detachment of troops were
ouartered three blocks from Howat's
headquarters here. Others were at
the fair grounds, and at the Normal
school. south of the city.
Cavalrvmen, who arrived at Girard,
rode overland and took their posts at
Franklin. Ringo, Arma, Mulberry and
Other mining towns.
COL. W. Med. Rowan in charge of
the troops stated that martial law
would not be proclaimed. The police
will do police duty only. At the first
sign of another outbreak by the mill
tant women marchers, however the
soldiers have orders to arrest the
women leaders for violation of the in
dustrial court law
AmG -Ons Stay Home.
Reports of the mobilization of
Amazons at various points in the dis
tricts proved to be gatherings only for
the purpose of seeing the soldiers
Women who yesterday led pepperboX
attacks smKed blandly at the uni
formed men.
st Capaldo only was trouble threat
encd Yesterday a negro fired a shot
during a ''petticoat attack" on mine.
Reorisals were muttered against the
negroes of the co ony.
The drive of the ''petticoat bri-
Cades' which swept over the coal
fields for three days, terrorizing work
ing miners, stripping them of their
clothing in hand to hand fighting. and
routing deputies of Sheriff Milt
Gould with barrageS of pepper, ap-
peared to be halted temporarily.
"1;ecruiting Sergeants" Busy.
Recruiting sergeants" of the ANA
zon force were making the rounds Ct
the little mining towns of Arm3,
Franklin, Frontenac, Cherokee, Chico
pee and Mulberry, however.
The official communique of the
army revealed that the next offensive
OF the marching wives, mothers and
sweethearts of the followers of Alex
ander Howat. would not be staged
until next week.
Women generals said all mines
in the district we're shut down. and
that there was no further need of
drive until attempts were made to
open them.
NIit Gould. Crawford county sheriff,
declared that three mines-the Sheri-
dan shafts number and 19, and the
Clements pit number 81 were operat-
ing under protection of the troops.
Gould was in the field at the head
of seventeen deputies thruout the
night.
mob of several hundred men
formed south of Franklin on the Pitts
burg road declaring they were going
to Columbus, Kan, to take Howat
from the county Jail there
Gould appealed to the men to re-
turn to their homes, and succeeded in
dispensing the mob.
Mob Dispersed by Gould.
Another mob, avowing its intention
of running Van A. Bitner repre-
sentative of John L. Lewis, -interna-
tional mine union president, from the
Kansas coal fields, was dispersed by
Gould who addressed them.
The Stillwell hotel, Pittsburg's lead
ing hostelry, was an armed camp to-
day. Bittner has abandoned his down
town oITce for rooms at the hotel.
-AAttOt ANeAl Legion members OIL Pitts
Durg are serving as his body guard.
Guns stand stacked in the hotel lobby.
Col Med. Rowan. IN command of
the 800 cavalrymen in the field, an
nounced his men would be used for
police duty, and that martial law
j, would not be declared for the present.
Mounted soldiers are to be stationed
in small groups in the vicinity of mines
where followers of Lewis announced
they were willing to work
The troops have instructions to at
tack the army of Amazons II the
women attempt a drive against the
mines.
HOwat Issues Statement.
From his cell in the Cherokee fail
where he is serving a six months sen
tence for violation of the Kansas in
Continued on Page Six.)