The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-07-18
BELIEVE TWO
DEAD IN RUIN
Of THE Triple
Cliftonville People Anxious
For Opportunity to Search
Debris.

Cliftonville, w. Va. July l7-(By Tho
Associated Pressl-Closely guarded by
a large, force Of deputy sheriffs and
state policemen. the people Of Clifton
VILE stood around tonight discussing ex-
citedly the events OF early today which
cost the lives of Sheriff H. II. Duval
and at least four Of the meu who march
ed over from the Pennsylvania union
coal field and attacked the non-union
mine Of the Richland Coal Company
here.
They were impatiently waiting for
burning ruins Of the tipple which was
blown up in the fight to cool In order
shat they might search for the bodies
be the leader Of the attacking force,
and who, they believed, went down whsn
tho structure collapsed.
Similar scenes were being enacted In
a tent colony not far away where the
families Of some SO striking miners
have been living since they left the
employ Of the company last April. State
constablcs were constantly on guard.
but there was no disorder.
Bodies DrAgrsd Through wseds.
Captain White, commanding the state
forces. did the search in the Vicinity Of
killed In the action. Although, tho
troopers said. there was ample evidence
that bodies had been dragged through
the weeds, and in some places they
had found little pools Of blood, their
search up TO nightfall had not added
10 the list Of fatalities. Seven men
found hidden in the woods were picked
up and sent to Wellsburg after being
closely questioned. Three OF them had
been wounded, and ono Of them who.
the troopers said, gave tho name OF
George Harvey" had told them he
knew Sheriff Duval had been killed by
q man from Avella. Pa. An effort was
being made tonight to check up his
story with the Washington county. Pa,
authorities.
The story of the hght as told by
Superintendent Edwards and e. J. Sex
ton, manager Of the company store,
agreed in It's essentials with the stories
told by some OF the miners who live
in Cliftonville. II detailed a battle in
which the sherifrs men, outnumoered
more than - TO one. kept up hrtng
until their assatlants abandoned the
held.
Story OF Fight
Superintendent Edwards said that
about midnight Sunday after Sheriff
Duval had been notified that men were
marching on the mine. Two hours
later there was An explosion near the
colony followed At irregular intervals
by skyrockets. At 6:15 o'clock. as the
miners were on their way TO the mine
opening 10 begin tho days work. shot
was fired from the hill above the open
Ing and almost Immediately after, Ed
wards said the firing became general
from the other hills around the town.
It was heaviest from the height above
the t!pple.
A man carrying an American flag
rushed the hill followed by what to Ed
wards seemed to be 200 or more men.
They reached the tipple and the leader
with a companion climbed TO tho top
where. Edwards declared. he saw the
man stand. wave the flag and shout:
Come on. boys. she's ours
Ftre tho Tippls
The men crowded into tho tipple. oil
was poured on the floor and the struc-
ture burst into flames. meantime, Ed
wards said, some Of the company
miners tried to save the ttpple by blow
ing up the burning section with dyna-
mite. A moment before the explosion
ne Said ne saw the l6adeT ana COM
panion at the top. but when the burning
section collapsed they were nowhere to
be seen.
There had been great deal OF shoot
ing before the explosion but Immediate
" after II the fight seemed to center
around the power house where tho dep
uty Irwin Mozingo. and one Of the min
ers were on guard Men climbed to the
roof and fired on them through a ven
tilator, one being killed before MOI
lingo was shot.
Terror stricken by the fighting and
fearful OF tho bullets which seemed 10
como from every direction tho miners
harrtcaded doors an windows nf their
houses with mattresses and put the
women and children behind them. tho
superintendent said.
ATTACKERS Retire.
Sheriff Duval and Deputy Housh,
were fighting side ny side. the super
lrtendent said but had 10 retreat down
the hill. while other deputies had taken
positions near the mouth Of the mines.
hf,er time there was 4 forward move
rent hv the deputies and few min
utAs later the attacking crowd had re-
'ir-d over IN. hill.
r.. fighting. according 70 supe-tnten.