Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1922-09-05
DECLARE u. NJ. W. $
PUT Up The MONEY
FOR ARMED n 7.CH
Witnesses Testify Martial
Law Overthrow Planned.
BY GILBERT C. McKoWN.)

Chrles Town, Sept. Testimony
was given this morning by state
witnesses in the treason case of
| Walter Allen, arising from the march
of armed miners against Logan
county last August, to show that
certain union locals contributed
funds from their treasures for the
purchase of arms, ammunition and
other supplies necessary for the
march; and these same witnesses,
in number of instances, testified
that the marchers not only intend.
ed to march through Logan county,
kill Don Chafin, sheriff, and his
DEPUTIES, but also intended to in
wade Mingo county and overthrow
martial law which was in effect
there at that time.
The defense cross examined few
Of the witnesses this morning and
cross examined them only briefly.
The bulk Of the state testimony
was in the support Of the financing
of the march and the intent to de-
stroy martial law.
Told of Plans For March.
J. S. McKeever, of Longacre, Fay
cite county, testified this morning
to having been present at meeting
on Sunday, August IL, last year at
a schoolhouse where the miners
were addressed by Savoy Holt, a
United Mine Worker representative
from Cabin Greek, who told them
that the state had taken control in
Mingo county, that the union PRO-
tested the action, that they had
been to "Eph" Morgan, governor,
but he had refused to act and that,
as a consequence, it was up to us,
and there will be a place designat-
ed and a time appointed and if you
are men you will be there" in which
declaration he urged the miners at
the meeting to join the march. Mr.
McKeever. said that he also spoke
at the meeting and urged the men
to have nothing to do with the
march. 1t was Immediately after
this, however, that the men there
began to arm themselves and he
saw them moving in the direction
Of Lens Creek.
Josiah Kelley, OF Kayford, testi-
fed to the robbery Of the store at
Kayford August 90, 1921, when he
was visited at his home by a COM
mittee of five who said they had
been sent from Marmet and wanted
the guns and ammunition in the
store. The witness said he told
them at first there were no such
supplies in the store. The commit.
tee conferred with larger group OF
mine workers and subsequently
came hack and at the point of a
gun compelled him to open the
store which tlfe armed men search
ed and from which they took about
five guns, some ammunition, some
uto tires, flashlights and other
supplies, explaining that the United
Mine Workers would either return
the goods or pay for them later.
Dat Dickens, Of Monclo, testified
that he as treasurer Of his mine To-
cal paid out by check 1885 for the
expenses of men on the march to
Marmet. The cancelled checks is
sued by him were presented in evil
dence this morning.
His Store Was Robbed.
Nathan Haddad, a merchant Of
Clothier, testified TO having seen
armed forces about his store going
in the direction of Logan county. "a
few of the boys" he said, went into
his store, he serving some Of them
while others served themselves,
taking shoes, leggings and other |
stock with a total value Of approx I
imately $1,000 which was not paid |
for. Some of these men were armed |
he said. He talked to Philip Muir
ray, an International officer Of the |
mine workers, regarding the stolen |
goods but the court refused to per-
init him to state their converse
ton.
D. L. Reed. of Edwhite, Raleigh
county, testified that he was score.
tary-treasurer of his locals burial |
fund and that $575 of this fund was I
applied to the march expenses. Elk
planning how he came to issue the
checks he said four men came to his
house armed on or about August
18th and compelled him to give them
checks which he did, signed in
blank. Later he was compelled to
sue the local union for this money
and he secured an attachment on
the locals fund but only after he
had turned over to them cancelled
check representing this sum. He
had this morning the stubs on which
he had copied the amounts Of the
checks after they had been returned
and also letter from the bank on
which they were drawn but the doc
lments were not admitted as evil
lence, The witness testified to see.
ing men assembling to go to Marmet /
and he understood their purpose was
10 invade Logan, stop on their wav
in Boone county and release prison
srs there, continue to Mingo where |