Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-16
TROOPERS
IN FIGHT With
MTNCO Miners
New Outbreak in Coal Field
Imminent - Town of
Logan Invaded
RELATIVES FREE MEN
Forty State Police With Bloodhounds
Are Put on Trail of Escaped Prison
erS.

Charleson, w. Va, Jan. 16-The
little mining village of Dry Branch.
20 miles from here, was virtually sur
rounded by State police last night, as
a result Of the shooting of two
troopers yesterday afternoon by coal
miners.
The troopers-Lane H. Black, Nor
gantown, and 2. w. Taylor, Terra
Alta-are in a critical condition at
hospital here. They went to the town
to serve warrants attired in civilian
clothes. The miners thought they
were Logan men and opened fire
upon them.
The shooting occurred when H. F
Afford was arrested on charges OF
conspiracy in connection with the arm
ed march last August.
H. L. Fletcher, superintendent OF
the Dry Branch Coal Company, who
said he witnessed the shooting and
the attending incidents attributed
to the entreaties of Mrs. Bertha
Trent, whose home is on the opposite
side Of Cabin Creek, the cessation OF
shooting before both men were more
seriously injured or killed.
Both Mr. Fletcher and Colonel Ar
mold said that as the first shot rang
out from the brush, while Arnold was
being conducted to the railroad sta
ton, at the sound of which the pris
oner took to his heels. Mrs. Trent
plunged into the stream and waded
to the other side where she singled
out those hidden in the thickets and
successfully prevailed upon them to
discontinue the fusilade.
While she was thus engaged the
two wounded officers lay st the base
Of an embankment down Which thew
they had been rolled by the impact of
large caliber cartridges. After the
flight of those who had done the
shooting Mrs Trent turned her at
tention to the wounded troopers and
with the aid of Mrs. Flecher admin
isered first aid prior to their re-
moval.
An immediate round up of those
suspected of having had previous
knowledge of the affair was ordered
and as result Mrs. Elmer Smith
house, Fred Thompson, Berlin Ad-
kins and Coco Ellison were placed
under arrest The police announced
they are still seeking Smithhouse.
in whose house thew said, they found
the rifles with which the shooting
had been done; Leo Ellison and AL
ford.
The feeling in the Cabin Creek sec
ton is intense. The miners have re-
sented the arrest of Frank SNYDER.
editor of the Federationist. labor or
gan. and Isaac Scott, acting secre-
tarv treasurer of the district union,
on charges of treason and conspir-
acv.
Lieutenant Lilly. commanding
State police. took 20 machine guns
with him last night prepared for at
tack.
Col. Jackson Arnold. superinend-
ent of public safety. later gave out
n statement that the trooners were
fired unon BY relatives of Afford
who, after the wounding of the Off.
GERS. succeeded in iberatinp the ar
rested man. All escaned. but de-
tachmnt of 40 State troopers we've
ordered immediately to go in pursuit
of Afford and his kinsnan.
Several bloodhounds likewise were
placed on the scent. Announcement
was made that the shooting TODAY
was the first armed resistance en-
conrt"~ed bv officials in making ar
rests in connection with the demon
stration to suppress which Federal
troops were ordered into the State.