Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-05-13
GUERILLA WAR !. !.
BREAKS OUT IN v. VA.
Coal Fields of Mingo Coun-
ty Scene of
Action
TRY OUTFLANKING
TRY OUTFLANKING
Towns Where Trouble is Are With
in Seven Miles OF Each Gther-Pas
sengers Dodge Bullets

Williamson, w. Va, May 12.-
Guerilla. warfare. witt, all odds ap
parently favcring the forces nppoS
ing the State, was being waoed las
night in the, grim mountains of III
strike torn M:ngo county '.rrl fielo
Beginning soon after dawn 20 tc
day morning at the l3ttle mining
town of Merr;mac. four miles up th'
Tug River from this city, fusillad'
of shots was poured from the noun
tain si:fe successively into Merrimac
Rawl, Sprigg and Matewan, w. va.
and McCarr, KY.
All available State police and DEF
uty sheriffs centred in Williamson
were rushed to the scene by trair
and automobile. but, according to re
points. they mad been unable at a late
hour to check the shooting.
Word has been received here from
ChaEe5ton that Governor Morgan
has responded to the request OF Of
ficials of Mingo county and has ask
ed the War Department for Federal
troons to restore order in the coun-
ty U. S. troops are expected from
Camp Sherman. o.
Harry C. Station, State pr1hibi-
ton officer and merc. :ant at Sprigg,
was killed. by bullet from the
mountains, and Noah Phillips and a
young man named Calvert. en-
nroyees of the White Star Ccal Co., /,
commissary at Merrimac. have been
seriously wounded. Runors of
other Killings. and woundings have
been received at headquarters of the
State police here.
Last night handful of State po-
lice, about twenty in number, were
reported to be working their way
over the mountains between Merri-
mac and Rawl. seeking to get above
and outflank their hidden foes.
This force was led by Captain J.
r. Brockus, commander of the
State police in the Williamson dis
triet. A sscore CT denuty sheriffs,
under Chief Deputy John H. Hall.
were cooperating with Captain
Brockus and his men.
Yesterdays outbreak, the worst
since the Matewan battle of last
May 10, in which ten persons were
killed, including the Mayor of Mate
wan. had all the appearances of a
prearranced attack.
The towns visited with the hail Of
lead are all within seven miles of
each Other, and lie in narrow val
lev on the banks of the Tug River,
which here separates West Virginia
from Kentucky. The firing yester-
day and last night came from the
mountains on both sides Of the river,
according to the State police.
Terror reigned in the towns in the
zone of fire as night fell and it was
learned the authorities lad failed
10 appcehend any of the attacking
force The bulk Of the shooting
therefore, has been done at night
when lighted houses afforded easy
targets for the hidJen riflemen
Vi"tually all lights were extinguish,
ed last night and residents KEEP
ctcse under cover.
"Hullcts were peppering down from
TIE or'flanking expedition led BY
CHnt:,in Brockus, desrite its extreme
" hazardous character, was said b!
The authorities to be virtually the
orly hope Cf routing or capturing
the attackers.
The State police were virtual!
helpless during the day, as the at
'ackln% forces in the mountains were
conpseseiy screened by foliage ant
boulders, while the police in orde,
to attempt direct attack, wouls
have been obliged to cross the one,
valley and climb the rugged slope
in full view cf the hidden marks
men.
Sergeant David Peterson. of III
State police, who led squad Q
Continued on PAGE Five)