The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-05-17
APPEAL FOR TROOPS MADE BY
THE M|NCO COUNTY OFFICIALS

Charleston. W. Va. MAY iJ.-Thc
governors office today made public
petition from MingO county officials
giving, their reasons for the n""eSsI:N
Of stationing federal troops along Tn"
kentucky border and appealing for 4
declaration OF martial law IN The Zon'
embracing the shooting area.
The Si;ua; ON in Mingo COLntS - cpl
tomizcd in the statement Of Judge r. ID.
Bailey, judge OF the circuit court Of
Ming0 county: A. e.. Pinson. sheriff OF
Mingo and s. D. stokes. prosecuting at
torney of MIngo county. each or whom
signed the petition. which was drawn
up on May II.
The petition recites the activities OF
the lawless element in Mingo county
and across the border in Pike county.
Kentucky and shows that prior TO the
outbreak on May ). quantities or rifles
and ammunition were shipped into the
district in which the disorder occurred.
The officials explain that they are
unable to cope with the situation and
feel that ii will be necessary ~ es-
tablish martial law in the county in or
der TO maintain an orderly state OF ar
fairs.
The petitioners state that they have
been slow in reaching the conclusion
that martial law is the only alternative.
in view Of the fact that conditions dur
ing the past few weeks have grown
worse and IL is admitted they are pow
erlcsS to control the situation.
The officials also point out that sew
eral men have been killed and 9TH
ers have been injured. wounded and
assaulted, thousands of men have been
taken from their employment or forced
TO remain away from their work because
Of the physical danger incident TO re-
naming at work and much property has
been DESTROYED and damaged by dyna-
mite. fire and gun fire.
This statement of the Mlngo county
officials Is made public" said Governor
Morgan, 80 that the public may know
why federal troops have been requested
and that II may not be influenced by
misleading propaganda concerning the
situation"
The Petition
Dear Governor:
we, the undersigned. who. because OF
the official positions we hold. are
charged with the duty OF maintaining
and enforcing law and preserving order
in Mingo county, feel that we are unable
TO cope with the serious situation that
confronts US, and under existing condi-
lions feel compelled to request OF you
that you ask and obtain. II possible, tho
aid OF federal troops in restoring law
and order in this county.
I'VE feel TO this end 1t will be neceS-
sary TO place the county under martial
law.
We have been slow in reaching this
conclusion, but conditions are such that
we are constrained to make Of you this
request. and respectfully urge that.
without delay. you call upon the federal
government.
Gave Reasons.
Some of the reasons which Impel US
10 call upon you are these:
"First-About a year ago general
strike was called in the district known
as the Williamson-Thacke field, for the
purpose Of organizing the district
which up 10 that time. had operated on
, the open shop plan.
"Second-That attempt TO organize
was opposed by the coal operators and
many Of their employees and the coal
production has returned 10 normal con-
dition under most trying circumstances.
"Third-From the time the effort was
made to organize the field. until the
present there has been almost continu-
, ously. fragrant violation Of the laws,
both civil and property rights OF the
people living here. including not only
the property owners, but the individuals
who live here, without regard to their
occupation or their property rights.
"Fourth-As a result OF this condi-
ton, dozens Of men have been killed
scores OF others have been injured
wounded and assaulted. thousands OF
men have been taken from their en-
ployment or kforced TO remain away
from their employment because of the
physical danger attending their con-
tinuing at work. Much Aroperty, has
been destroyed and damaged. by dyna-
mite, by fire and by guntire.
"Fifth-This county borders. for
distance Of sixty miles, on the states
of Kentucky and West Virginia and is
so situated, and the topography is such
that IL Is serious and difficult prob
lem to apprehend those who violate the
laws and TO police the county and pre-
vent these lawless outbreaks and pun
iSh those guilty thereof
Situation More Serious.
sixth Conditions in the past few
weeks have grown worse Nonresident
agents are in the field. trouble is being
fomented, trenches and barricades have
been constructed on the mountainSdeS
within the timber line. thousands of
shots have been fired into some of the
coal camps of this county. In some In
stances these shots were fired from the
woods and hills Of Mingo county. ana
in other instaceS were fired from the
woods and hills of Pike county. Ken
lucky Moreover, within the past two
or three weeks large quantities of re-
peating rifles including some high pow
er guns and ammunition have been
shipped into the county and distributed
among the lawless element.
Seventh: Because OF these things
the undersigned fear thai conditions
will continue to grow worse and that
serious trouble. amounting 10 bloodshed
and the loss Of life will result. IT is
imminent that civil war will result be-
tween the two boundaries unless more
, is done than can be done by the local
authorities TO prevent 1t.
Eighth: Owing TO the fact that two
counties bordering on one another sit
uated in two states are involved. we
! find ourselves unable to prevent these
! acts Of violence and because. under the
laws we are charged with the mainten-
anCe and preservation Of law and order.
We earnestly urge that you, as chief
executive Of this state. induce the fed
eral authorities to take charge Of the
! situation.
"ReSpecttully submitted this 18TH day
of May. 1921.
( (Signed
"R ID. Bailey. judge circuit court. Min
40 county. West Virginia.
"a g. PinSon. sheriff OF Mingo county
West Virginia.
- -. Stokes. prosecuting attorney Of
Mingo County. West Virginia"
RIPPING RHYMES