Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1921-12-16
POCAHONTAS UNDER MARTIAL
9'i'f LAW.

Tocahontas, Va, Dec. 14.-Labor
troubles come sooner or later to neal
Iy all public works, and sometimes
when least expected. During the
splApy and summer of 1896 the Pc
cahontas coal field went on u strike.
The union had senta organizers into
the field prior to the strike, and en-
rolled great numbers. When the
strike was in progress Mother Jones
visited the field on the West Virginia
side and made several addresses, as
also "GeperaW Coxey, the man WIN
led company of men to Washing
ton, and were told to keep off the
grass" Gen. Coxey spoke at Cooper,
and several Pocahontas citizens went
oyer to hear him. They were not dis
appointed: in him, as the press had
given him lots of advertising as to
personal appearance, eccentricities,
etc.
The strike took on considerable
proportions on the Virginia side, and
much. excitement was created one
Sunday when it became known that
Virginia military companies were OH
their way to Pocahontas, and even
then as Tar as Graham, for the pur-
pose OF preserving order, President
Logan M. Bullitt of the Southwest
Virginia Improvement Company and
Suupt. William Lang, had cali
ed on. John w. Crockett, then sheriff
of Tazewell County and demanded
that he call on Governor Chas. Il.
O'Ferrell for troops. The sheriff had
complied with the request, and so had
Gov. O'Ferrell. My recollection is
not quite clear whether the Poca-
hontas miners had quit work at the
ZINE or not; but certainly some of
them who belonged to the union had
10lned\ the strikers. Efforts were be-
ing made to keep the Pocahontas
mines going. The occasion for call
ing out the troops was based in rep
fesentations to the sheriff that tho
west Virginia miners were comini,
across he state line into Pocahontas
to induce all men to quit work and
JON with them in the general strike.
information to this effect had come
TO the Pocahontas company, and the
President and Superintendent took NO
chances but acted promptly. Wheth-
er there was any foundation for this
report does not seem to be clear, but
IT was the subject Of considerable
controversy, private and public, The
troops came on into Pocahontas from
several cities in Virginia, under the
command of Major Simonds, and es-
tablished martial law. Gov O'Ferrell
came to the town after the criticism,
began, made an address on the porch
OF Pocahontas Inn to the assembled
multitude, and with his silvery locks
waving in the air declared that h..
was the cause of the troops being in
the town and that his shoulders Wer.
broad enough to bear the RESPONSE
biiIty.. The soldiers were kept for
over three months, costing the state
OF Virginia thousands of dollars
which some thought was unneces-
sary. One Richmond paper was quite
outspoken in opposition to this ac-
ton OF the Governor, claiming that
me expense was unnecessary, ana
Ihat there had been no disorder at
Pocahontas and until such necessity
existed the troops should NOT hav,
been sent. However, the troops re-
mained until the coal company de-
cided that it was unnecessary for
them to remain longer.
IL was novel experience for the
citlZens OF the town and community,
to be held up at the point of a bay,
onet when sarting out Of town or il,
town hnd turned back unless onu
had pass. Setinels were stationed
at several outposts and numerous
stories brought to the officers of pos
slble outbreaks or attacks from the
West Virginia miners. The writer
remembers clearly the hurried pre-
parations one afternoon for a sun
posed invasion. A gatling gun was
placed in position on Tank hill near
my home so that the adjoining nil
tops on the West Virginia side could
be. shelled by the machine gun if the
miners should attempt to pass that
way. But no such attempt was made
If it was ever contemplated.
1t was source of interest to thf
town people to watch the soldiers
when they. came. Each company would
march through the town, and there
seemed to be a rivalry between the
several towns as to which had tn,
best drilled and best looking com
pany of militia. But they were nj
overshadowed by the Richmond Blue,
when they came to town Those VIII,
witnessed it will never forget thei
splendid appearance when they
marched up Center Street with thei1
long white plumes waving. Perhap,
some Of the other compaI,ies woul,
Lave made as good an appearance i
they bad been provided with thi
kind of equipment. but this is a littl