The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-05-15
CHAF|N
TEST|F|ES TODAY
IN TREASON CASE |:
Man Whom Marching Miners
Declared They Intended te
Kill on Stand.
MACHINE GUNS USED ),
Logan County Sheriff Also
Admits Guns Were Used
Two Years Before.
d.

CHARLES TOWN, May 15.-(By
The Associated Press)-Don Chat
in, sheriff of Logan County. took
the witness stand today in the trial
Of William Blizzard on a charge OF
treason to testify as TO the defense
Of the county border against the
armed marchers who had declared
their intention OF entering Logan
and Mingo counties to organize
miners there and to kill Chafin and
his deputies.
Assistance Promised
When Chain received informa-
tion OF the meeting of miners at
Marmet, the beginning of the
march, he began preparations to
stop them at the Logan County
border, the sheriff testified Gov
ernor Morgan told him to do the
best he could until it should be
possible to send assistance, and
later men from Charleston, Hun
tington, Bluetield and other cities
were sent to aid the defense OF the
county.
About 1900 citizens of Logan
County aided in the stopping OF
the march at border. the sheriff
testified.
S Quizzed on Killing Of Miners
Inquiry then turned to the
shooting near Sharples when two
miners were killed in a clash with
State Police. Captain Brockus,
leading the State Police forces
sent to Sheriff Chains assistance.
reported to the sheriff and was
given warrant for arrest OF
forty-two persons. most Of whom
lived on Beech Creek The var
rant being in the hands of a sena-
torial committee which inyestigat-
ed West Virginia coal troubles,
Sheriff Chain identified copy of
it in the report Of that committee
The warrant was issued by Judge
Robert Bland in the Circuit Court
of Logan County, on complaint of
Don Chain and charged assault on
John Browning, a deputy sheriff.
Among those named in it were
Lewis White Pedro C'Buck"o
O'Dell and T.. W. Swanner, who
have been named as active in
leadership among the forces that
later attacked the county border
On August 26. Sheriff Chain
LeStluc0, uS Cdlled LII lIlc luSll uC
had stationed in the mountains,
because he heard the marching
miners had been dispersed and
were going to their homes. Chain
ordered his men to return home to
a signal on the power house whis-
tie would summon them if they
were needed.
Deputies Recalled
\ Shortly before midnight he}
a train and were on
their way to Blair, just within the
Logan County border, which bel
came a base for the attackers. The
whistle signal recalled his depu-i
tized force, Sheriff Chain testified,
and he sent them into the hills
again, the greater number being
stationed on Blair mountain. Col !
onel Eubanks, at the direction of
the governor, took charge of all
the forces on August 80, and from
that time the sheriff was under
the colone1's orders. he said. This |
was the day before Deputy Sheriff
John Gore, George Munsey and
James Cafago were killed, he
said.
Munsey and Caffago had been
The highest numbers OF
defenders the sheriff said to be
about so per cent citizens, and
ministers lawyers and
doctors. -
Under a series OF objections, an
attempt was made to bring out
testimony as to the shooting up of
an automobile near Cloth1er and
the disarming OF officers who in
vestigated. This, however, was
ruled out as Sheriff Chains know
ledge was based on hearsay. It
was these occurrences which
brought about issuance of the
warrant given to the State Police
TO serve. G
Five Atrp1anes Used
During the first week of the
trouble only one airplane assisted
he defense forces, but eventually
there were five. Up to the time
Colonel Eubanks took charge, the
olane was used : only for observa-
ion, he testified.
! At the time the trouble began
here was from thirty-two to
deputy sheriffs, who
made up the only police forces.
Sheriff Chain said. &Cross-e1amt-l
lation by T. c. Townsend 8wentl
,urther into this matter. Thet
men were paid by the gsherinShel L
'aid, getting g$from8$ Otto sS350Eal L
non nth. Six or seven were paid
Continued on Page Eight