Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1922-05-09
Blizzard Trial Well In
Second Week.

WIN the aLieSeu lufdSiou u AoSdh
County by armed miners and others
in August last, is well into the
second week in the Jefferson Circuit
Court. Witnesses have been put on
during the last week to strengthen
the case Of the state in connecting
Blizzard with the directing of the
operations.
Admission by the sheriff of Ka-
nawha county that he considered
himself unable to cope with the
forces of the armed miners gather
ing at Marmet, last August and de-
failing of his movements by Major
Charles F. Thompson, U. S. A., of
Fort BENZ. Harrison, near Indianapo-
lis, who made two trips into the area
as a federal representative, featur-
ed the evidence as submitted Thurs
day.
Sheriff Walker declared that he
made no oorganized or comprehen-
sive effort to disburse the miners.
He said that he made a written re-
port to the governor after investi-
eating the situation at and near
Marmet, and declared that the sit
uation was beyond his control. This
report was also signed by Prosecu-
ting Attorney Frank c. Burdette,
Judge II. X. Black, of the informed
late court, and county court presi-
dent S. E. Childress.
Major Charles F. Thompson, u
S. A., who made two trips into West
Virginia during the periods of the
marches, declared that he was sent
TO this state to investigate the situa-
ton and report, coming as assistant
chief of staff of the fifth corps area
and he made such a report by tele-
phone, telegraph and partly in writ.
ing. He came to West Virginia first
on Tuesday, August 23rd, answering
telegraphic instructions from the
the War Department at Fort Benz
Harrison. He reached Charleston
early in the morning of Thursday
August 18th. He gained the i'm.
preston from rumors and reports Of
the situation and about 3 O'Clock
Friday morning, following the pre-
vious information, met General H
H. Bandholtz who had been dispatch
ed to Charleston.
Shortly thereafter, he testified
there was a conference at the capitol
between the army officers, President
Keeney, Secretary-treasurer Mooney
and Attorney Houston, of the United
Mine Workers. He said that he had
met Keeney previously in May, 1921
at Williamson, Mingo county, and ar
effort was made by the State to gel
into the record some testimony re
garding the conference at William
son but the court would not admit
it. Major Thompson said he hat
gone to Williamson on mission
similar to that which brought hin
into West Virginia last August.
After the conference Keeney went
to Madison and later that Afternoon
Major Thompson was advised by
telephone from Mr.. Keeney that the
marchers had been stopped, that
they had voted to turn back and thai
they were actually returning at that
time.
On Monday late, he said, he wa.
directed by the War Department tt
return to West Virginia and reached
Charleston Tuesday evening. August
80, and was there at the capitol un
til midnight when he went to st
Adams, then up Coal River to jeff
rey. AT Jeffrey he inquired as tt
the leader of the miner movement
and man there volunteered to take
him farther up the creek to a point
near Lake, where he was introduced
to man who was generally recog.
nized as the leader. Major Thomp.
son said he did not know the man
and was not sure he would recognize
him now. On this trip with him was
A. Z. Porter, sub-district official
and also one other man. He saw
the outposts and was stopped at
least four times, the driver giving
the password, and the occupants of
the car were examined but not de-
tanned permanently. He was asked
his purpose and told them. He had
seen copy of the presidential proc
lamation issued that afternoon which
had been telegraphed to the COVER
nor. Major Thompson had a COPY
OF this proclamations which he veri-
fled by telephone with the War De-
partment i'm Washington. He said he
read this proclamation to the as
sembied miners and told them of the
consequences, if they persisted on
their march after the noon of Sep
TENDER 1, the time for disarming
set by the President. He reached
Jeffrey about 8 o'clock on the morn
ing of Wednesday, August 81.
The men, he said, would not COM
ply with the directions of the proc
lamation. He read it, he thought
TO about 40 men. He heard firing
at this time. From there he return
ed to jeffrey, then to Sharples. and
then to Blair where he posted the
proclamation and explained it to the
men, but these men at Blair did NOT
comply with the proclamation either.
At Blair he told the conductor of the
road and turn it around. When the
train came back Major Thompson
had his back to it and as he turned
ne saw, he said, some armed men
LOOK HERE FOR 1T.