Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1922-09-05
THE ALLEN TRIAL.

Walter Allen on trial for treason,
growing out of the armed march OF
union miners in Boone and Logan
counties year ago, was opeheo ~
the Jefferson Circuit Court luesaay
morning before Judge WOODS ana
Jury that included Alonzo Jones, y,
u. Stull, j. Ernest Watson, Samuel
J. Hockensmith, Geo. W. kouss, O..
n. Ashwood, b. L. Byers, Herman
huyett, Chas. J. Derr, b. Warren
Ware. and John r. Lewis. Many
defense witnesses whose absence de-
layed the opening OF the trlal last
week were present on Monday,
few coming in at intervals for sew
eral days previously.
Attorneys tor Allen demanded
that the state furnish bill of par
ticulars of the charges against Allen
to supplement the Indictment against
him. Further delay was occasloned
by this, attorneys for the state re-
curing several hours In which to
prepare the bill which set up Allen
as one of the chief alleged actors In
the formation of the alleged treason
able conspiracy to levy war against
the state, the execution of that con-
spiracy and the actual participation
by Allen in the fighting which oc-
Cured around Blair in Logan coun-
ty.
The bill alleges that during Aug
ust of last year in Charleston and
at various other points in Kanawha,
Boone, Fayette, Logan and Raleigh
Keeney, Mooney, Blizzard, Savoy
Holt and others to levy war against
the state; that in pursuance OF that
conspiracy he assisted in having as
sembled a large number of persons
and caused them to arm themselves
and to march from their homes to
Lens Creek, Kanawha county, at OF
near Marmet, for the purpose OF
levying war; that, with others, as
members of the United Mine Work
ers, he conspiref to and did levy
war against the state, and during
the time named he solicited and re-
ceived funds for the purpose OF
carrying on the war, that he caused
and induced officials of mine union
locals within the jurisdiction OF
District No. II, to furnish large
sums of money for the purpose OF
buying guns and ammunition ano
other supplies to arm and equip the
members of the organization; thai
he solicited funds also from differ
ent persons whose names are
promised later by the state, anc
that he also secured funds from
what are known as burial funds,
jointly created by miners and the
coal companies, that he "counseled
procured, advised and directed the
men so assembled and so armed tc
invade Logan and Mingo countie.
and to engage in actual warfare
against the state with reasonable
intent.
The bill also alleges that Aller
was personally present at Lem
Creek before and on August "a
that he advised the men there to be
gin the march to Logan and MingC
and accompanied them from Lem
Boone to Logan, and was with thu
Creek to Boone county, through
forces at various times from Angus
2S to September a; that he advised
with the forces in their fight agains
the military forces of the state
that he procured and furnished arm:
and ammunition and delivered then
to the armed forces, was armed him
self and actively participated in tn,
battles at or near Blair.
The evidence submitted resembles
in many details the evidence brought
out at tn trial of William Blizzard
who was tried on a treason indict
ment in May. With one exception
the same witnesses have testified a:
appeared in the Blizzard case. At
torneys for the state are directing
their questions so as to establish
Aliens connection with the origin Of
the armed march, and especially tt
connect him with the campaign tc
raise the funds to equip and supply
the marchers.
Court was suspended Wednesday
afternoon when it was announced
that Capt. Milton Rouss, the father
of juror Geo. w. Rouss, was critical
ly i'll. Accompanied by Deputy
Sheriff Alder, Juror Rouss was al
lowed to visit his father at Shannon
Park" five miles south of town. The
next morning, Court adjourned till
Monday on the announcement OF
Captain Rouss' death.
Gov. Morgan was the principal
witness for the State when Court
re-convened yesterday morning.
Gov. Morgan identified proclama-
lions of martial law issued by him
and in force in Mingo county during
the march and testified they Were
effective at that time.
Court convened again this morn
ing and the taking of more testi-
mony was begun.