Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-08-30
Big BATTLE REPORTED IMMINENT TODAY MI
NEAR BLAIR between 1000 ARMED MINERS
AND SHERIFF CHAFIN AND DEPUTY SHERIFFS
Striking Miners Surgng Back To Marme-Capture Four
Deputies Guarding Machine Gun NeSs-Hod Them As
HoSages-Despite Threat Of Invasion Logan Is Calm.
(ey international News servIcs.J


Charleston, Aug. 30--A big bat
Tie is reported imminent today near
Blair, Logan county. between 5000
armed miners and deputy sheriffs,
state police and citizen volunteers.
A camp OF the invading miners was
reported established near Blair.
across a hollow from spot where
Il large force OF de1-sties under or
ders OF Sheriff Chain of Logan
county has been concentrated to
prevent miners going further into
Logan county.
Reports from points in Boone
county indicate very serious stu
alton.
Feeling against the miners has
been intensified, It is reported by
the fact that they are holding four
deputy sheriffs as hostages These
men are Magistrate" Mitchell, HIS
brother, John Mitchell, John Brown
ing and William White. The men,
are reported TO he kept under guarJ
in an old house in the mountains On
the BooneLogan county Inc.
Sheriff Chain has appealed TO
the governor to get these men at
all costs reports reaching here to-
day state that the miners army is
being constantly augmented, 4
Miners Concentrate n
Charleston, Aug. 80, Reports re-,
ceiVed at the governors Office att
noon said that $500 men had az.
ready concentrated at Jeffry, IN
Boone county, near the Logan lire.
Tho report also added, too, there
was a continual string OF miners
arriving at this concentration point.
Deputies Are Captured
Madison, W. Va, Aug. 30.--Strik-
ing miners, who last week began a,
march from Marmet, Kanawha ooun-
ty, TO Mingo county. and who we're
induced to abandon their march
and return to their homes, have
again left their homes and are NOV
ing into Logan county In bands
numbering from dozen to 200.
County Prosecutor Mullins OF this
place said today. For the most part.
Mullins said, the miners are tricks
ling over the county line into I.o-
gan county into the district into
which Sheriff Don Chain, OF Logan
county, said "They shall not pass
Miners Get Gun
A machine gun nest on HeWitt's
Creek, guarded by three deputies
was surprised by the miners, the
deputies made prisoners and the
machine gun with a number of high
powered rifles and ammunition cap
| tured.
Seven have boen previously re-
| ported captured.
Communication between here and
! Logan is chiefly by courier, most of
| the telephone wires between Boone
and Logan county having been cut.
Miners Restless
Logan, Aug. 30.--Miners were ga
thering over the ridge from Logan
this morning. "They seemed rest
less and uncertain" was the mes
sage brought to the general head.
| air, horse and foot scouts. Various
estimates as to the strength of the
invaders were made.
The little town Of Logan was
strangely quiet today. Determined,
stern faced men, with high power
ed rifles on their shoulders, seem.
Ell everywhere. Reinforcements
were dispatched to the danger
points. Late in the night the out.
posts brought in reports of move-
ments OF large bodies Of men In
mo mans land. Lines were
strengthened at these points.
Seems Impre enable Il
Machine guns were scattered
throughout the mountains on top of
ridges and sweeping passes and
Rocky Roads. 1t seems impossible
that any party can pass. Four hum
dred American Legion men were
expected here from WEIGH and viii
hanson to assist in the fense. They
probably will be stationed In the
neighborhood of Blair. Clothier and
Ethel, which lie approximately on
the border between Boone and To-
gan counties. 1t is at these points
miners are reported to be gathering
in force. Sheriff Chain demanded
that the governor bring about the
release Of four deputies held cap
tiYes at Hewitt's Creek, Boone