The New York herald., 1921-05-16
BULLETS POUR into
VIVA. TOWN AGAIN
IN MINE WARFARE
Troopers Start in Motors to
Attack Hidden Riflemen
at Merrimac.
KENTUCKIANS GIVE HELP
Blue Grass Guardsmen At
tempting to Capture Noun
tain Fighters Near Sprigg.
.ENTUCKIANS GIVE HELP

WILLIAMSON, W. Va, May 15.-Heavy
firing on Merrimac, w. Va, from the
Kentucky mountains opposite that viii
lage broke out tonight, according to
a report received here by Capt. J. r.
BroclSus of the State police. All other
places in the trouble zone along the
Tug River were reported quiet.
A squad of troopers headed by Capt.
Brockus left Immediately by automo-
bile for the scene. of action. Six Ken
lucky deputy sheriffs, who were in
Williamson when the report was re-
ceived, crossed the river and started
over the mountain in an effort to reach
the attackers from the rear.
Before leaving Capt Brockus COM
rnunicated with the Kentucky National
guardsmen on duty at Sprigg and re-
uuested that they move on the attackers.
He was informed, the Captain said. that
the soldiers could not leave Sprigg, as
they were watching body of men In
the mountains at that point.
With Kentucky National Guardsmen
on duty In the region along the Tug,
which was the scene of a three day
mountain battle growing out of indus
trial conditions, authorities here had be
lieved the fighting would cease.
New Outbreak Surprise.
All day the situation was quiet. and it
was the general belief that the noun
tain fighters had decided to abide by the
truce arranged late last night. Capt.
Broclkus had Just reported "all quiet to
his superior officers tonight when the
despatch telling OF hostilties at Merri-
mac was received
Seventy-flve Kentucky National guard
men arrived here from Moorehead, Ky.
this morningg and were Immediately
posted at points of vantage on the Keu-
lucky side of the stream. They took up
positions from Borderland to McCarr.
Capt. w. L. Proctor Is in command OF
a detachment of twenty-five men at Nc
Carr; Capt. Davis Thompson had a like
force opposite Spriggs. w. Va; Lieut..
Fred Sac had fourteen raen at Border
land and a squad of eight men was sta
toned at Pond Creek, cast of the city.
About thirty-five more Kentucky troops
are expected to arrive later.
Reports tonight from McCarr were
that the mountain fighters at that point
were scrupulously observing the truce
arranged last night by DR.. William Dot
son of Freeburn. Ky, who went INTO the
hills and delivered his message of peace.
Two fires. which Marry Olmstead. act
ing chairman of the labor committee of
the Williamson Coal Operators Associa-
ton, said he believed had been caused
by incendiaries, occurred in the region.
A small office OF the Pond Creek Coal
Company at Spriyg. and a garage OF the
Burnwell Coal Company, at the same
place, were burned. Bloodhounds have
been sent to the scene in an effort to
trace persons who might have been re-
sponsible.
Firearms Found Near Tent.
Capt. Brockus received report late
to-day from his men at Merrimac that
they had found an automatic rifle. three
other rifles and 1000 rounds Of ammu-
milton, in front of tent colony near
there. The troopers reported that the
arms and ammunition were thrown from
a train. The guns were wrapped In
Charleston CIV. Va.) newspapers under
date OF Saturday.
A. A. Gaujot OF this city reported to
Brockus that as he passed tent col
ony at Sprigg he saw an automatic rife
and several suit cases thrown from the
train.
A telegraphic report from Thacker. w.
Va, said two men had been shot there.