The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-05
PEACE REICNS in
WEST VA. FIELDS
Labor Day Finds Federal
Troops PatrOling District.
Spruce Fork Ridge Is Occupied
Without Resistance.
WILL PROSECUTE LEADERS
Miners Were Guilty of Insurrec-
tion, Says Governor.
Bodies of Missing Army FIiers
Are Found Today.


Terre Haute. Ind, Sept. 5.-Resolu-
tions adopted by Terre Haute miners
at a mass meeting protesting against
the sending of federal troops to West
Virginia and asking that the Bald
win-Felts detective agency be expelled
from the coal fields. were forwarded
today to President Harding and At
torney General Daugherty. If the Bald
win-Felts guards are not removed, it
was decided. a delegation is to call
upon John L. Lewis, president OF the
United Mine Workers asking that he
call a nationwide strike.
Charleston. w Va, Sept. 5.-Labor
day found the federal troops, sent into
West Virginia's troubled area on
Spruce Fork Ridge near the Boone
Logan county line patrolling the dis
trict and clearing out such armed men
as they encountered.
=. large number of men surrendered
yesterday and all who carried arms
were forced to give them up; They
then were sent out of the region and
to Their homes. In this the federal
authorities had the assistance of
United Mine Workers leaders.
The volunteer forces sworn in as
deputies and deputy state police last
week have been relieved of further
service and have returnd to their
homes.
Bandholtz Is Satisfied.
Latest reports from the area now
policed by federal troops were that
everything was quiet. The soldiers
occupied the Spruce Fork Ridge dis
trict without resistance and moved
cautiously in whatever they did, army
officers said, in order to maintain
peace with as little friction as pos
sible.
Brig. Gen. H. H. Bandholtz, it was
learned, was so well satisfied with the
situation that he had under consider
alton a recommendation that the
Camp Dix troops be returned if the
situation did not change today.
Patrols today were instructed to
search every inch of ground possible
for buried arms.
VIII Prosecute Leaders.
1t was stated at the army headquar-
ters that all arms were not surren-
dered by the armed men but what
became of them was not officially
known.
Governor Morgan has issued
statement that there would be no
official slackerism" in the prosecu-
tioI of those who were responsible for
last weeks disturbance, which he
termed 'insurrections against the
state"
All the force of the state. he said,
would be employed to assist the
county authorities to punish the
guilty.
The governor also said, THE federal
officers and troops are prosecuting
the disarmament of the insurrection-
lists with diligence and, while the lead
ers of the armed insurgents have
sought TO have the members of the
mob conceal their rifles and weapons
before their surrender to the troops
now in control of the trouble zone,
the authorities have succeeded in ac
cumulating large quantities of arms.
taken from the men who were en-
gagged in defying the authorities.
Leaders Seek Escape.
Some of the leaders of the insur-
gents have sought to escape as the
evidence has accumulated showing
their responsibility for melting the
miners to insurrection and treason
against the state, but 1 am assured
by the county authorities that every
effort will be made to apprehend the
responsible parties and bring them to
trial for the responsibility for this dis
graceful uprising.
"All the forces of the state will be
employed in assisting the county au-
thorities m their efforts to apprehend
Those who engaged in this insur-
rection after the noon hour on Sep
tember l are not only guilty of in
surrection against the state Of West
Virginia but they are also guilty of in
surrection against the United States
for they had been commanded by pro-
clamation of the president to disband
and return to their homes before that
hour.
''This, however. is matter for the
federal authorities to prosecute. They
viii have the aid and support of the
state in this endeavor.
sAs governor I am not only desir-
ous that Justice shall be done and the
nroper punishment meted out to the
a1,iItv leaders of the insurrection. but
I exDect the county authorities in the
se.veraI counties involved to prosecute
these who profited by the insurrec-
tion and who were responsible for
providing the insurrection with arms
and ammunition to make the assault
against the state"
Three of the missing army airmen
were found dead on Twenty Mile
Creek,at 2:3O a. m. today, according to
a report received at Aviation head
quarters here. Another was reported
as severely injured There was no
mention of the fifth man, but the
opinion was expressed that he was in
the wreckage of the bomber that fell
Saturday afternoon while travelling
from Charleston to Langley Field.