Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-04-06
THE COMING TRIALS.

Boone counties is increasing. Tho
regular term of court begins on April
18Th. Only one local felony case will
be tried, probably-that of Cal McCoy,
Charles Town negro who is accus,
ed OF waylaying, beating and robbing
]. W. Birkett In that place few weeks
ago. Very little chancery business is
expected at this term.
| The trials of the labor leaders and
miners are called for April 24th. The
proceedings are not being advertised I'M
advance. The panel of thirty four petit
lurymen has been drawn, but the
names OF the men chosen are being
kept secret and will be until near the
time OF the trial. Heretofore the panel
has been published Immediately after
II IS drawn by the commissioners,
but the belief has been expressed
that publication of the list of Jury
men, which is not required by law,
would result in an effort being made by
those selected for service TO get cx-
cused Many of them would probably
60 to the Judge and ask for relief, and
might also open the way to studied
although secret propaganda; and in
view of these dangers the list is be-
ing kept secret, with official approval.
The Jefferson Hotel will be the
headquarters of the coal operators,
while the Palm Hotel will be used by
the union officials and miners. MANY
OF the parties concerned will have
their wives with them, as a number
of women have been called as wit
nesses. II is reported that a consid-
cradle number pf miners and their wit
| usit tba.
own cooking facilities and will seek
permission to camp on the horse show
grounds. Many of the miners want to
bring their wives and children will,
them, il is said.
Ii is not known how many strangers
will be in attendance at the trials.
There are over hundred indictments.
All but thirty eight OF the indicted men
are out on bail. The thirty y-eight who
did not give bond are in the Logan
county jail and will be brought here
under guard. The local jail, il is
thought can handle all the prisoners BY
placing cots in the corridors and us
ing extra space. II is thought that
about 500 witnesses will be summon
ed on bob sides, from Logan, Boone,
kaaawha and other counties.
| The legal preparation for the cases
is being made exhaustively Prose-
cutting Attorney John Chaplin and AS
sistant Prosecuting Attorney c. l..
Estcpe, OF Logan, with c. w. Osenton,
OF Fayetteville, and Col. Forrest w.
Brown, of Charles Town, and the cx
officio assistance OF Prosecuting At,
torney John T. Porterield, OF Jefferson
county, will present the States case.
Attorney II. w. Houston, Of Charleston,
is in charge OF the defense of the
miners, assisted by T. C. Townsend
and c. J. Van Fleet, Of Charleston,
and ]. M. Mason, Jr., of Charles
Town. Attorney Mason, for the de-
fense, was recently in Charleston con-
ferring with his associates, and also
made trip through Logan county to
observe conditions at first hand.
BY reason of the State not having
indicated which case it will try first,
privilege OF the State, and by rea-
son Of calling all the hundred-odd
cases, on charges ranging from misde-
meanors to murder and treason and
covering a total Of approximately a
dozen indictments, with some of the
indictments naming as many as los
defendants, the defense is faced with
the necessity Of solving the almost
impossible task Of preparing for all
the cases at one time However.
while not matter of record, il was
intimated that counsel do not expect
to try more than half a dozen cases
at the outside, and that these cases
will involve the leaders rather than
the mere participant. The cases, il
was also indicated, would probably re-
solve themselves into types during
the trial, each type Of which the prin-
| ciples would be established and the
other cases OF the same type would
then, il Is believed, by agreement, be
settled on the same principles. The
treason and murder charges are the
principal cases involving the union
officials as we'll as the miners. Trea-
son case trials are few and the prepara-
tion for the trial Of these cases in
wolves an extraordinary amount Of
work, il is said. Such cases will be
new to the jurymen also, some Of
whom have had experience with mur-
der cases and other felonies but not
with an organized attempt to defy the
laws of the State.
A detachment Of State police will
be detailed to assist in keeping order
in the court. The miners expect that
some of the deputies from Logan and
other counties will be seen at the trial,
although it was not conceded that they
would have any official status as law
enforcement officers in Jefferson coun,
y. The State will appoint such spec
ial deputies as may seem necessary.
Ii is likely that there will be many
more persons desiring admission than
the courthouse can accommodate, and
the sheriff and his deputies will have
1 n will ko