The New York herald., 1921-05-13
FOES RAIN BULLETS
into MINGO TOWNS
U. S. Troops Ready as West
Va. Governor Calls for Help
Deaths Reported.
TRAIN IN BATTLE ZONE
State Police Climb Mountains
in Attempt to Outflank
Attackers.
TRAIN IN BATTLE ZONE

WILLIAMSON, w. Va, May H.
Guerilla warfare, with all odds ap-
parently favoring the forces opposing
the State, was being waged tonight in
the mountains of the strike torn
Mingo county coal field.
Beginning soon after dawn this
morning, at the little mining town OF
Merrimac, four miles up the Tug River
from this city. a fusillade of shots was
poured from the mountain side sue
cessively into Merrimac, Rawl. Sprigg
and Matewan, w. Va, and McCarr.
Ky.
All available state police and deputy
sheriffs centred in Williamson were
rushed to the scene by train and auto
mobile, but according to reports they
had been unable at a late hour to
check the shooting.
Harry C, station, State prohibition
officer and merchant at sprigg. was
killed by bullet from the mountains
and Noah Phillips and a young man
named Calvert. employees of the
White Star Coal Company commits
sary at Merrimac. have been seriously
wounded. Rumors Of other killings
and woundngs have been received at
headquarters OF the State police here,
but to a late hour had not been con-
f1rmed.
Gov. Morgan responded tonight to the
request of officials OF Mingo county and
asked the War Department for Federal
troops to restore order. The officials
said they were unable to cope with
the situation.
A statement from the Governors
office tonight declared that 'the greater
amount OF the firing came from the
Kentucky side" adding that reports 20
the States Chief Executive were thde
two men had been killed
TT is understood" said Gov. Morgan's
statement, that the officials OF Pike
county. Kentucky. made similar re-
quest OF Gov. E. p. Morrow and that
the latter would also ask for Federal
troops"
Sergeant David Peterson Of the State
police. who led a squad of men to
Sprig1 this afternoon. told tonight OF
the plight in which several hundred pas
senRers on a MONDAY train found them
selves when they reached the battle
zone.
Bullets were peppering down from
the mountains when the train got In,
he said. Women and children screamed
and cried in terror. while virtually
every passenger on the train fell prone
to the floors of the cars for protection,
/ don't know whether any shots were
aimed at the train. None OF the pas
sengers was injured"
Sergeant Peterson. who alighted at
Sprigg with his squad. said his men
were subjected to a hail OF bullets be-
fore they could gain shelter In nearby
cabin.
Tonight twenty State police were re-
ported TO be working their way over the
mountains between Merrimac and Rawl.
seeking TO get above and outflank their
hidden foes.
This force was led by Capt. j. r.
Brockus, commander Of the State police
in the Williamson district. A score OF
deputy sheriffs, under John S. Hall, chief
deputy. were cooperating with Capt.
Brocltus and his men.
To-dey's outbreak the worst since the
Matewan battle Of last May 10. In which
ten persons were killed, including the
Mayor OF Matewan. had all the appear
ances OF n prearranged attack.
The towns visited with the hail of lead
are all within seven miles OF one an
other. and lie In a narrow valley on the
banks OF tho Tug River, which here
separates West Virginia from Kentucky.
The firing to-day and tonight came
from the mountains on both sides or
the river. State police said.
The State police concentrated in the
mountains on the West Virginia side,
while county officials here got IN touch
with officials OF Pike county. Kentucky
In an attempt to obtain cooperation In
routing the attackers from the Kentucky
side.
Terror reigned in the towns in the
Continued on Ninth pd0e