New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-26
Loots Countryside as 1t
Marches, Commanders
Trains and Autos and
Fires on Airplanes
Stays Two as Spies;
State Asks Troops
Federal Forces Held in
Readiness as W. Va.
Governor Sends Appeal

CHARLESTON, W. Va, Aug. 25-
The army of 1000 miners, unemployed
eX-service men and others which gath
cred at Marmet, southwest Of here, last
week broke camp at dawn to-day and
began its threatened march sixty miles
into the coal fields of Mingo County
Its members have announced their in
tention of unionizing the mines there
by force
The army proceeded ten miles to-
day, looting the countryside of arms
and provisions as it went and forcing
The populace to fee for their lives.
Automobiles and one railroad train
were commandeered by the invading
force, arms and ammunition were
stolen or bought, two men were killed
miners and spying airplanes were fired
on. The miners passed through Racine
tonight and have reached Rock Greek,
four miles from Madison. Their
route will take them southwest
through Logan, Chapmanville and the
Battle at Blair Reported
Tonight reports were received here
of a battle near Blair, W. Va. south
Of here, between 800 deputy sheriffG
and an equal number of miners. 1t
was at first thought that this was a
clash between the army of miners and
the authorities, but this theory proved
untenable in view of the fact that
Racine, where the invading army was
at dusk tonight, is twenty miles from
Blair. Later reports cast doubt on the
authenticity Of reports of battle at
Blair If there were any casualties
nothing is known of them here
Early to-day Governor Morgan Of
West Virginia appealed to the War
Department for 1000 Federal troops to
prevent disorders in the coal fields. 1t
is understood here that orders were
Immediately issued to commanders Of
army camps in Ohio and kentucky in
structing them to hold troops ready
for quick dispatch to West Virginia.
1t is estimated that they could reach
the trouble area in three hours if sent
for The War Department has sent
General II. II. Bandholtz and Colonel
Stanley II. Forbes here to investigate
the situation.
Governor Blames Agitators
Governor Morgan issued a statement
at his Office saying that every precau-
ton had been taken to prevent blood
shed in connection with the movement
of miners. He announced that any
hostile invasion of the non-union coal
fields would be vigorously repulsed.
The statement read:
"We are in possession of information
that large body of armed men, num-
bering several thousand, who have
been encampcd for several days or
early to-day to near Racine, in Boone
County, intending the same as pre-
liminary movement to a march into
Logan and Mingo counties.
"1nhamed and infuriated by speeches
Of radical leaders, the men started their
march and arrived at Racine at noon.
Heavily armed patrols which have been
patrolling the roads in the vicinity of
Marmet are still active
"The Governors office is fully aware
of the gravity Of the situation. Two
men were killed in the district, while
numerous stores on Cabin and Paint
creeks, along Kanawha River and Coal
River. have been entered by armed men
and robbed of arms, ammunition and
supplies. Trains have been stopped
and forced by men with drawn guns to
maui tuciu 70 IuelT ueSClnatlOn.
While there have been no wholesale
violations of the law, the Governor de-
sires to give assurance to the people
of the affected district that every
available resource will be utilized to
restore law and order and trusts that
1t can be accomplished without further
bloodshed.
Loot Stores as They Pass
swooping down on the countryside
southwest of Marmet, the army of
miners invaded every country store
along the line of their march, steal
ing provisions, arms and ammunition.
The Governor has appealed to mer-
chants not to sell arms and to the
railroads not to carry them.
One of the men killed by the army
was union miner at Eastbank. His
head was blown off because he gave
information to officials and newspaper
men.
Two bombing planes, owned by coal
operators OF Logan County, were fired