Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-01-27
ORDERS SHERIFF TO
SEARCH EVERYBODY
One of Defendants in Matewan
Battle Trial Had Gun; The
Trial viii Go On.
by Associated Press TO Every EvenIng-

ny Associated Press to Every Evening
Williamson. W. Va. Jan. 27.-Trial
ol the twenty four men accused of
participation IN the famous Matewan
battle of May 10 last viii 20 on. Judge
Il. ID. Bailey announced ut the opening
OF circuit court here this morning. He
over-ruled the motion for the defense
TO quash the seven indictments Tor
murder. on the ground that one of the
grand jurors was not resident of West
Virginia.
Deputy sherins guarded every en-
trance TO the Mingo County court house
this morning TO search for arms all
persons who sought 10 enter. Colonel
Herman Hall. commanding the federal
troops in Williamson. took additional
precaution 10 aid the civil authorities in
preserving the peace. An extra guard
was mounted with an ofhcer of the
guard constantly on duty. in addition
70 the olIlcer of ti1sstssy.
The court roolrs nlled early with
friends of the defendants and many
other persons gathered from all parts
Of the country. There was much specu-
lation as TO the identity OF tbs defendant
who Was charged yesterday by counsel
for the state with carrying a pistol into
court. Among the names mentioned In
this connection vas sid Hatfield. Chief
uf Police o. AIatewau. but he declared
that he had left MS pistol in the Sheriff S
oif3Ce yesterday UoEaIiug and did not
take II into the court room.
Colonel Hail aga4u sat beside Judge
Bailey Oh the bench and Il. r Page
;he only defendant missing yesterday
y hen the roll was called. Was found In
tue prisoners box. lie had been ap-
prehended last night and sent 10 jail.
Immediately after Judge Bailey decid-
cI that the trials should continue the
Indictment charging the twenty -four
with the murder 81 A5bert & Felts was
raad E4cH ol the men entered plea
of nor gQ3,ty. john >. Aiape am one lus
the couasll FOR the state. said that the
state Il, sired 10 nave the gase against
Isaas brewer oue "a the TWEEN -four
indie Ted. Withdrawn. brewer. however
aas cautioned to remain III ~ illlamsou
4s the attorney said here were other
indictments against him
Attorney Mar ulH also asked that the
case against pred Webb. JOINTLY eharg
"a with the other dele danfs with The
A4Ilng Of Fogts be Withdrawn. Webt
Vas permitted 10 stand aside tut via
act excused
Selection uf Jury. winch promises e
be a Ions and tedious process. Was
then taken az Harlan Jones. a wi.
hanson business man. Wsfs the HFst e
mad il seat ia Ihe box Two other men
called were quicAIy passed because u
SPECIAL interests IN The Case.
Williamson. " Va. Jan. e7.-0ne ot
the - defendants ia the Atatewau battle
trials. which opened here yesterday. sat
IA court with "a pistol IN his pocket
according 10 a statement made Ia Judge
X - Bailey by counsel Tor the state al
the close cf the afternoon session.
Judge Bailey at once ordered tht
sherla to search All persons Tor weapons
when they entered the courtroom toda y
and told the prisoners that II any oi
them came armed to court they would
be sent 10 jail until the trials are over
b. X. Page. the only negro defendant
did not appear when his name was call
"a IN Circuit Court and Judge Bailes
declared his bond forfeited. All tbs
others. including +. &. Mccoy. who wa
serving Jail sentence for assault
answered the call of the clerk
Counsel for the defense asked thai
The indictments be quaahed on tn,
ground that Bert Shumate, Il member oi
the grand jury Hich returned tho in.
dictments. Wus not a resident of Nesi
Virginia when the offense charged was
committed. Attorneys Tor the State
asked for time to consider the motion
and a recess was taken.
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