davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19
FORTY YEARS BEHIND

By X. M
Editor. Wheeling lntelligencer:-
What's the matter with this good
Old West Virginia State OF ours?
What's the matter with the Courts
And Those that make official Powers!
Don't you .h!nk we should be Weakening
To the fact that we're behind?
Isn't It true we are slipping.
Is II cause we've lost our minds!
This state Is going backwards.
And the system should he dropped.
with our kind OF law and order
Cut II out and have II stopped.
Take. for instance, all tho robbers.
Cut throats thugs and murderera;
How they're treating them so easy
Never give what each deserves.
What's the matter with our jurors
Men to whom we would rely?
When they're left in charge OF murder
ers.
Who really ought to die.
Tell me whore they get such stun
OF asking mercy for such mon.
VINO commit outrageous muro@S
To be freed. to do again
would Ike TO have an answer.
From the one who will but chose,
To tell me why We should not
Recommend the hAnEmen's moose!
Our state must be avenged and laws
obeyed by all mankind;
lie, rs keep down all this murder.
Tho we're FORTY years behind
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

in a poker game one night in Mhtewan.
in which wero Sid Hatfield and Ed
Chambers 1t was not a large game,
probably nifty cent limit. and he
played along with the others The game
had progressed for about two hours
whom the writer's friend picked up
three queens and stayed for the draw.
on tho draw he took two CARDS, and
when he looked at them he was rather
surprised to md ne had drawn two
more queens The average man would
have raised howl. but not 50 with
our friend. He waited until tho other
players had begun their betting. when
he calmly threw his cards into, the dis
card saying that he was thirsty. and
went out to get a drink. He afterwards
said that he knew someone had slipped
an extra queen br two In the deck, and
that il was none OF his business, but
that II he had shown his Ave queens he
would probably have started something
which would have ended In n Tight and
a night with Sid Hatfield In II would not
be very pleasant. He thought he had
played safe by keeping his mouth shut.
Such was tho respect the average man
in the southern part Of the state had
for Sid Hatfield.
Ed Chambers uas OF a very good fam
lily IN hInBO COulNt' UuS' oSSoI 0iHS w
many people, was slightly inferior to
the rest Of the family His relations
arc business men In Matewan. being in.
terested in the banking business, hard
ware business and so forth: they are
what is known as being very substan-
tIal citizens In the community. He was
a youth being only % years OF age, OF
many friends and an attractive person
ality. When he was killed his school
teacher was broken hearted. She said:
Ed was a good boy, studlous. and al
ways set q good example for the other
children" He and Sid had been friends
since youth there being but matter
Of six years difference In their ages.
and they had always been inseparable
companions. They had played together,
gone swimming together. had the same
things in common and had grown up
together. surrounded by the same infiu-
ences and subject to the same sort OF
schooling and discipline. They were
companions. friends and "buddies."
Hot Real ounnsn-
No matter what may he sa.G on
either side, Sid Hatfield and Ed Cham
bers were neither gunner Of the first
water nor bad men" in the sense II is
sometimes used. They were simply
mountain youths on whom the eye OF
publicity was focused and whom tho
gods Of regulations called to their own.
They were neither heroes nor despera-
does-they savored Of both, but had all
the attributes OF neither. They were
not connected With tho Hatfield Mccoy
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19
ALL OR NONE

Senator Lodges declaration for gem
eral disarmament before America makes
further curtailmcnts IN It's naval and
military establishments unQuesuonaoly
represents American public sentiment
We cannot proceed to disarm while
other powers maintain and increase
course would be deliberately to expose
our nation to attack and conquest and
we may rest assured that such an at
tack would be made
Neither should we be content with an
agreement made by tho powers which
arc to take part in the coming confer
ence at Washington. There are many
other nations in the world number OF
which arc wealthy and ambitious They
do not loom. MP right now AZ formidable
military or naval powers but II the
present powers stand still or 20 back
ward IN armament Some OF these others
will soon catch up
As Tho Intelligencer has heretofore
pointed out, a naval limitation agree
ment by America England and Japan
would not necessarily mean any great
There are several other nations with
modern shipyards. Any OF the three
powers mentioned could place secret
orders with these other nations for
modern warships to be built ostensioly
for the nation owning the shipyard but
In reality for the great power. to b
held and delivered In case OF war. Or
a deal might be made by which ono or
moro OF these other nations would place
ordsrs for battleships with American.
English or japanese shipyards, esten-
sfoly for their own navieS but in reality
for the American. Engliah or Japanese.
rs the case might be. Again. two or
more Of these smaller naval powers
might Anter into an alliance now or
later, thus creating q combined navy
greater than the reduced American.
British or japanese Even II mono OF
these things vere done. It would be
necessary always for the statesmen OF
America England and Japan to fssp N
touch with smaller nations owning
modern battlsshipS, and TO endeavor to
be on such terms with than that tho
warcraft could be quickly purchased IN
case OF noed. This would b . natural
and legitimate prscautIon- Any states-
man who would neglect It would be
negiecting his duty TO his own land and
his own people. and would deserve their
eternal e1ecration II through such nc
glect they should 30 conquered and lose
thor national position and freedom.
In brief. II America. England and
Japan reduce their navics while all
othsr naval nations go on building. there
will bA an inevitable competition BE-
tween Thorn for control OF those new
battlcships II would necessarily be
secret control. but for that worry reason
would be more dangerous and moro apt
to lead 10 suspicion. hatred and war
Tho only effective way 70 dssarm ~ TO
apply the agreement 10 all nations and
sec that Il IS carried out
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

nv the Baldwin-Felts detective-dsputy
.hertna. and that they had expressed
them selves In no uncertain terms alons
thea. lines. They were known to have
treat influence among the miners In and
about Matevan, and that they could
cause these detectives great amount
of trouble. In fact, for these and many
other reasons Sid Hatfield and Ed
Chambers were looked upon Is being In
the way Of the successful performance
Of the duties Of the Baldwin-Felts de-
tectives: they were considered 70 De the
leaders Of the miners who mad peen
making such savage warfare on tnese
deputy shenf1s and were supposed 10
be In the know Of everything mat was
going on in Mingo county. They were
undesirable citizens from the Baldwin
Felts standpoint and. lastly. they were
looked upon as being directly reHponsi-
BILE for the death Of tho seven detectives
at Matewan on the 18th Of Nay, 1875.
ssntsnosd 20 DsAak
Tho word had gone out according 20
many reports and interviews. that Sio
Hatfield must bo done away with Al tne
first opportunity. When he was arrest
ed ut Mateuan for the shooting up OF
the mining camp of Mohawk. W. va,
his friends warned him that 1t was just
a trumped-up charge and that all 1t vas
for was Just to get him into Mcdowell
county, where the Baldwtn-Felts detec-
tiyes were 80 strong that they could
murder him at will. HIS friends we're
aware that Sid Hatfield had not been
connected with the shooting At MO-
hawk, and they did not wish to see him
be placed in . position that they would
afterwards regret. He was pheSd m
just such . positior-both no ana Cnam-
bers-and their friends are now doing
tho regrettinB.
Whatever may be said Of Sid Hatfield
and Ed Chambers. they are not IN
position to be called heroes, and they
are in no wise martyrs. The old Ro-
mans bad q saying which may veil be
used here and with much ensct: De
mortuis, nihil nisi bonum"-Of the dead
say nothing but good. Their souls are
being weighed by the Judge OF all, ana
It scarcely behooves us nero mortals
TO take his task from him. They lived
lives according to the dictates or ener
own conscience and We live ours In tho
same manner.
They we're both killed in cold blood.
and their murderers are known. The
Avs OF West Virginia will take their
course Their death was tho cause Oh
ovsr-xealous actions and OF . haueo az
d..p-seated as all time hatred Wnicn
was furthered by prejudice ana ieGnl
system of mine guards which has wrlt,
ten West VirEinia's shame IN the olooo
OF "Mountainsers" who Are AWayS
Free"
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

feud, and the shooting at Welch N
which they lost their lives had NO con-
nectlon with this long-standing strife
which has so much been played up IN
the romantic columns Of metropolitan
nevspapers. As q matter Of fact there
has always been some question as to
whether Sid Hatfield was Hatfield or
whether his name was Crabtree 1t Is
certain. however. that he was never
given the backing Of the Hatfield clan'
and that In all his battles he had to
fight alone He was not quick, merry
tempered youth with q gun always half
way out Of his pocket. ready to shoot
From many sources 1t IS evident that
his nerve was vastly over-rated. That
Is to say that he was cautious to tho
point OF retro and introspection. He
would not take chance unless he
thought he would have the advantage,
and II was the same way with Ed Cham
bcrs Sid HATFIELD was always moro or
less subservient to tho dictates OF the
majority and was slow 10 go against
their mandates.
When Sid was In the Jail at Welch
according 10 ono Of the prisoners there
at the time. he was what might De
called model prisoner. 1t seems That
in the Mcdowell county jail, which Is
one Of the largest and most sanitary as
we'll as best filled jails In the state.
there is a feeling Of sentiment or pride.
The prisoners have made several rules,
among which is that II a prisoner splits
on the floor he must pay a fine OF one
dollar. When Sid Hatfield was frst
placed in the jail he was nervous and
disgruntled. He spat on the floor three
times. He was told that he would have
to pay the fine Of three dollars or be
logged by the prisoners. He grfnned
shcepishly and paid over the fine. After
that he kept within the rules OF the
prisoners.
Had Incurred Enmity.
Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers had
incurred the enmity Of the Baldwin
Felts detectives in the Battle Of Mate
wan" and particularly the hatred or
Tom Felts. who thinks Sid was guilty
Of starting the night. Tom Felts Is yet
under the impression that Sid Hatfield
IL responsible for the death Of his two
brothers in this fight. and his feeling,
! can we'll be understood. He told the
writer after the shooting that he was
not in a position to mourn for Sid
Hatiields death. but that he did not
! countcnancc the manner in which he
was killed He said that II he had
wanted TO have Sid Hatfield killed. that
| he had had many opportunities in which
| no could have done It himself. but that
he preferred the law TO take It's course
But be this as IL may. both Sid Hatfield
| and Ed Chambers were known to be ut
terly opposed TO the methods employed
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

while tho railroads must spend great
sums to build and keep up their road
beds. the roads over which the trucks
travel are kept up for them by the
public Taxation Of the people builds
and maintains highways for the trucks
while a big part OF what tho railroads
earn must be taken for what might be
called their highways-that Is. their
roadbeds. rights Of way. rails and re-
pairs.
Obviously. II one railroad were made
present OF It's roadbed and rails and
these were supported by public taxa
tion. II could give much lower freight
rates than any other road and still make
more money. To let motor trucks use
the public highways without an ade-
quate payment to the public treasury Is
a parallel case.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19
IS THIS FAIR L?

That railroads will face a constantly
increasing competition from motor
trucks Is certain. Tho growth OF truck
transportation IN the last few years
has been great and continuous. and
there Ia n>thinE 20 Indicate that It wifi
keep on growing. Its demonstrated
antaEes In short hauls indicate that
3 development Will be a feature or
transportation history for the next sew
eral years
II this competition be fair. there can
be no just complaint. a railroad man
has just called attention to one point
In this connection that Is worthy OF
close consideration. He states that.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

Butler. Pa. Aug lS.-Tho Butler Citi-
zen suspended publication temporarily
with today's issue. IT was announced.
Present business conditions caused the
suspension. according to statement
made In the PAPER.
The Citizen was founded In 1867 by
the late John II. NeEley as weekly
publication. and was made daily in
1908, when a stock company took IL
over. State Senator A. M. Chrtstley is
tho president Of the company
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

That the private mine guard system
is not a success seems apparent to all.
Its actual and It's natural fruitage Is
seen in continuous turmoil for months
and years in q part OF the state: In y
condition Of outlawry eliminating In
martial law throughout Mingo county;
in the recent double life-taking before
the court house OF Mcdowell county:
and also In a very unenviable name for
our commonwealth throughout the sis
terhoOd Of states. And yet there Is no
promise or prospect that the skies arc
clearing.
Some weeks previous to tho shooting
Of Sid Hatfield Lively. the detective
who il charged with the deed. testified
before a federal senate COMMITTEES which
was then inQuiring into conditions In
the Mlngo district Lively said he
had kept q store At MAtewan to cover
up his real business, which was spying
on tho miners union. Senator Nickel
lar condemned HIS conduct. The New
York World declared editorially that
such conduct transforms an economic
struggle into actual hostilitics." and
concluded: NO better illustration OF
its working could be found than the e1-
isttnr guerilla warfare along the Tug
river where Mr.. Lively and his confed-
erates have been most active. Spy
IS a trouble-maker by profession ana
he roes armed As Senator Mcclellan
nuts IT. no wonder there's trouble IN
west VIrginia."-TheW Weston lndepenh-
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19
PASSENGER FALLS
FROM CAR; KILLED

sistersville W. Va. Aug. 1S.-Ed
Berry, a molder at the Carter OH COM
pany,S shop was almost instantly
killed when he fell from tho summer
car Of tho Sistersville-New Martinsville
Traction company at HOG Rock, short
distance north OF this city. this after
noon about I o'clock. Berrys skull was
fractured He Ia survived by his wife
and several children.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19
PROMINENT PEOPLE
OF WEST VIRGINIA,

John l.. Dickinson. prominent Charles
ton banker and an important factor In
state politics in quiet way, thinks 1t
would be better for the courts 10 con-
vici witnesses OF perjury than to con-
vict criminals OF crime" offering this as
a possible solution OF the problem of
the crime wave. which is being empha-
sized at Charleston in an EFFORT TO or
Eanize law and order league.
Mayor Grant p. Hall. Of Charleston. is
fast losing his illusions He admits
that he was elected on platform OF
driving bootlcEEers and gamblers out OF
Charleston IT did not know what
was promising" he told n citizens meet
ing III the church people OF Charles
ton and those ella inning TO be moral will
Quit buying bootleg liquor there would
be no bootleggers left In Charleston in
side Of two months" he continued. II
find bootleggers receive the protection
OF so-called decent citizens. God bless
you brothers and sisters-ouit buying
bootleg whiskey and Charleston will be
a better place in which to live"
Rev. NJ. L. Shultz. who led the moral
forces that cleaned up Sistersville.
may he induced TO lead the law and
order league which is being organized
at Charleston TO support officers In pre-
vention OF crime in Kanawha county.
Rev Shul,z has been located at Charles
ton but short time. where he is pastor
OF the Central Methodist church.
Judge Thomas II. Harvey and Gener
al James l." caldwell. OF Huntington.
have offered TO buy 81. 900 worth OF road
bonds il the state OF West Virginia will
apply the money to a hard road from
Logan 10 Huntington. y have been ad-
vccntinC Il hard road down the Guyan
valley from Logan to Huntington since
! was In the legislature in 1879" de-
cIarrd Judge Harvey. General Caldwell
said There are enough Of us directly
interested In the construction Of this
road TO buy the bonds needed 10 finance
it
]. D. woodroe. retiring president Of
the West Virginia Real Estate asspcia-
ton. declared that real estate men
should take active interest in politics at
the convention held in Huntington this
week. 1T Is imperative that the bust
ness mon enter politics" he said.
State Senator Edgar R Stats, Of
Farkersburg. Is out to succeed Harry
woodward Is congressman from The
Parkcrsburg- Huntington district in 1922
and is interviewing leading republicans
regarding his chances. Senator Stats
comes from n family which IL prominent
In Jackson and Roane counties
Mrs. John Stamm. president Of the
West Virginia Service STAR Legion. who
by the way is much -nthused over the
growth OF that organization in the state
will b a delegate 10 the national con-
yentiou at Cleveland, o. week OF Sep
TENDER Ia
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19
HATFIELD CHAMBERS
(conttnnsd Prom Page ons.)

dangerous Immediately after the
Battle OF Matewan" Sid Hatfield be
came tho one man TO receive the hatred
of the Baldwin-Fclts detectives: he was
pointed out by thnm as the one man
who was responsible for the killing or
the two F'clts boys the two brothers OF
Tom FerR head Of the detective
agency Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers
undoubtedly did some boasttng OF tho
shooting Of the seven detectives who
fell in this battle. and little boys In the
street would point them out as the men
who had done tho killing. They werc
in every sense Of the word heroes and
persons to be treated with tho utmost
circumspection.
Vory Careful
To what extent this feeling hold sway
Is well illustrated by a friend OF the
writer's who was travelling in Ming"
county. He happened to find himself
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19
Letters to The
Intelligencer

Letters for this column should Do
as brief as possible. lnteillgencef
readers are invited 10 send commu-
nications upon any timely subject
Names Of authors must accompany
all letters. The lntelligeneer Will
not agree to print letters upon con-
troversial subjects. and especially
concerning differences in matters OF
religion.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

A Russian baron says that his coun-
try had part in causing the world
war. Sor,c pcopl" ar" Pretty mean.
Cr~d!. FIR chat war - the only thing
Kaiser Bll has left. and here ~ som"-
body trying TO take II away from him
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

During Ch!caEo's pageant Of progress
many of the exhibits were stolen. Well.
that indicates progress on tho part Of
Chlcagos criminals doesn't IT.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19
POLICE ARREST rouB

-Four arrests were made by the police
last night. threo disordcrlics and one
violator OF the city's traffic ordinance
George Wolf and Joe RasicS wers ar
rested by Policeman Bi"hl on charges
Of being drunk while 7, Mendel was
arrested on tho aarnc charge by Police
man Frank Jones. Thomas Saad was
arrested by Ambulance Driver Burke
for violating tho city's traffic ordinance
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

and delighted to see Themselves as the
American silver screen shows thcm.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

American movie films have been
stolen and exhibited In the Orient. The
Orientals will no doubt DO astonished
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

Two obsolete Instruments: Bootjacks
and eye-openers.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

Tho Marshall Field store refuses to
allow girl employees 10 have bodied
hair. This is carrying prejudice too
far. We go no further than asking
them not to shake tne:r loose locks in
our hash. 1t Is best to be fair on both
sides-Blueheld Telegraph.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

One thing about woman with gray
hair is you know It's natural.-Hunt-
ington Advertiser
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

Mrs. John Stamm. president Of the
West Virginia Service STAR Legion. who
by the way is much -nthused over the
growth Of that organization in the state
will be delegate TO the national con-
ventiou at Cleveland, o. week OF Sep
TENDER Ia
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19
What Other
Editors Say

1t was tho government that taught
US the great truth that thrift would
win the war. Now let the government
itself use thrift in paying for it
Morgan town New Dominion.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-19

J. D. woodroe. retiring president OF
the West Virginia Real Estate associa-
ton. declared that real estate men
should take active interest in politics at
the convention held in Huntington this
week. 1T Is imperative that the bust
ness mon enter politics" he said.
Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-10-11
FIRE ALARM BOXES

ei-Gordon and Meade Streets
23-Madison Ave. and Paterson 81.
s4-Market and Sheridan Streets
25-Smsth Stree, and Central r. r.
s6-Market and First Streets
Copper Works
2S-High and Lewis Streets
34-Madfson Avenue and Smith Street
-s~..a G7d Htgk Streets
ss-Nev Brunswick Ave. and New Street
S7-Smith and State Streets
4l-Standard Underground Gable Co.
4s-Atlantic Terra Gotta Works
43-Buekingham Ave. ana Hartford st.
45-Co 1merce and Front Streets
estate and Washington Streets
47-High and Washington Streets
52-Cortlandt and Easton Streets
54-S.ate 81. and Buckingham Ave.
55-Parker ST. and Pulaski Ave.
5s-Hali Ave. and Charles st.
57-State and Wayne Streets
IS Near Lead Works
59-Maurer
s2-Washington Street and Park Avenue
e3-New Brunswick Ave. and Elm Street
4-smfth street and Watson Avenue
fs-Commerce and State Streets
and Smith Streets
and Gordon Streets
74-Kearny Ave. and Gordon Street
and Hanson Avenues
s--Smith and Herbert Streets
Ave. and Washington 81.
Sf-Lehigh Ave. and Stanford Street
s5-tgear City Hospital
ss-Cleveiand md Brace Avenues
s7-Amboy and Hall Avenues
Ave and Insiee Street
s3-Iaxrence and Francis Streets
sl-Hevilie and Johnstons streets