Hellraisers Journal: Forty-Two Striking Miners Arrested in Raid on Lick Creek Tent Colony, Mingo County, West Virginia

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Quote Mother Jones, Doomed, Wmsn WV, June 20, 1920, Speeches Steel, p213—————

Hellraisers Journal – Friday June 10, 1921
Mingo County – Lick Creek Colony Raided; Striking Miners Arrested 

From The New York Times of June 6, 1921:

ARREST FORTY IN MINGO.
—–
Military Authorities Accuse Them of
Violating Martial Law.

Mingo County WV, Strikers n Families Lick Creek Tent Colony, Lt Dg p16, Dec 18, 1920

WILLIAMSON, W. V Va., June 5.-Forty-two men, residents of the Lick Creek Tent Colony of idle miners, near Williamson, were arrested today and locked up in the county jail charged with violating the proclamation of martial law recently imposed following disorders in the Mingo coal fields.

The purpose of the raid, said Captain U. R. Brockus of the State Police, was an attempt to bring to justice those who had fired upon motorists in the vicinity of the tent colony during the past few weeks. Decision to make the raid, it was said, followed when reports reached State Police Headquarters that an automobile in which five persons were riding was fired upon this morning. Five bullets struck the car, according to the reports, but no one was injured.

The arrests were made by State Police and deputy sheriffs, headed by Captain Brockus and Sheriff Pinson, and consisted of about forty men, all heavily armed. No resistance was offered, but the authorities declared that eight armed men fled into the mountains when the posse reached the camp. One was captured after an exciting chase. The prisoners will be examined tomorrow.

—————

[Emphasis added. Photograph added from Literary Digest of Dec. 18, 1920.]

[Note: “deputy sheriffs” often means deputized company gunthugs.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Forty-Two Striking Miners Arrested in Raid on Lick Creek Tent Colony, Mingo County, West Virginia”

Hellraisers Journal: Union Miner George Crum Dies of Wounds After Battle Near Nolan, Mingo County, West Virginia

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Quote Mother Jones Princeton WV Speech Aug 15, 1920, Steel Speeches, p227—————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday May 31, 1921
Mingo County, West Virginia – Union Miner Dead After Battle Near Nolan
 -Senate Committe to Investigate Conditions Along the Tug

From The New York Herald of May 27, 1921:

THIRD VICTIM DEAD AFTER MINGO FIGHT
———-
George Crum in Ante-Mortem Statement
Denies Attempt to Start Trouble.
———-

Nolan WV Battle, Guardsman n Trooper Killed, Wlg Int p1, May 26, 1921
Wheeling Intelligencer
May 26, 1921

WILLIAMSON, W. Va., May 26.-George Crum who was shot in a fight between a detail of State police and Kentucky National Guardsmen on one side and a party of men they encountered in a road near Nolan, W. Va., last night, died in a hospital here this afternoon. A State policeman and a Guardsman were killed in the encounter.

Gov. Morgan in Charleston to-day announced that ten thousand rifle cartridges shipped from St. Louis and consigned to Sid Hatfield, feudist, at Matewan, W. Va., are being held in the office of the American Railway Express at Bluefield.

The cartridges are being held at the request of Gov. Morgan, made to the president of the Norfolk and Western Railroad. An embargo was placed on the shipment of arms and munitions into Mingo county last week.

State and county authorities to-night watched with extreme caution the situation along the West Virginia-Kentucky border after the events of last night at Nolan. Capt. Brockus of the State police, reported that the region was quiet. A similar report came from Sheriff A. C. Pinson of Mingo county.

Soon after Crum was admitted to the hospital he told the authorities that he had done nothing to excite the trouble at the Nolan ferry, where the fight started, and during which Private Charles Kackley of the West Virginia State police and Private Manley Vaughan of the Kentucky National Guard, were killed.

An arrest under Gov. Morgan’s proclamation of martial law for Mingo was reported to-night. Sheriff Pinson announced that Ross Perry was arrested by deputy sheriffs near Gilbert, W. Va., and charged with having ammunition in his possession. He was held without bail.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Union Miner George Crum Dies of Wounds After Battle Near Nolan, Mingo County, West Virginia”

Hellraisers Journal: Sid Hatfield Goes to Williamson Alone, Post Bonds on Warrant Charging Assault of Mine Superintendent

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Quote Sid Hatfield, re Gunthugs n Right to Organize, Altoona Tb Lbr Ns p10, Sept 3, 1920—————

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday May 26, 1921
Williamson, West Virginia – Hatfield Arrives Alone to Post Bond 

From The Washington Herald of May 25, 1921:

HATFIELD AVOIDS DEPUTIES AND
GOES TO SHERIFF ALONE
———-
Baldwin-Felts Detectives Acquitted of
Slaying Mingo Mayor.
———-

Sid Hatfield crpd, Two Gun, Akron Beacon Jr p1, Mar 21, 1921

WILLIAMSON. W. Va., May 24.-“Sid” Hatfield, of Matewan, reputed champion “two-gun bad man” of Mingo county, came to town today. The sheriff had sent a deputy or two to bring him on a warrant charging him with an assault with a rifle on P. J. Smith, superintendent of the Stone Mountain mine, but Hatfield took the train alone. Half the town was down to the station to see him arrive, and the “white way” was all lit up in expectation that something might happen, but Hatfield walked up to the court house, hung around until the sheriff got back from feeding the bloodhounds, then gave bonds and went home on No. 16. The town sagged back into dullness. At the sheriff’s office, Hatfield exposed his gold bridgework in a smile and remarked

When I aim to go anywhere I aim to go alone. They’ve got in the habit of blaming me for everything that happens at Matewan.

Hatfield, who is accounted the most dangerous man in the mountains is a queer mixture. He is as strong against liquor as is Bryan and as for gambling, only last week he chased a Kentucky native out of Matewan in a rage for suggesting that he be permitted to open a poker game. But gun shooting is something different. For months residents of these parts have been giving Matewan a wide berth, and one finds automobiles in this town sticking inside the city limits, unless it is something urgent.

This morning the mine of Lynn Coal and Coke company, just above Matewan, was burned. This mine was abandoned after the strike was called. The operators say that last winter strikers were allowed to take up quarters in company houses at Lynn on agreement they would vacate May 1. When moving day arrived some refused and evictions followed. Mine owners attribute the fire to strikers and term it another instance of sabotage. At Leesburg a Greenbriar county jury today acquitted the six Baldwin-Felts detectives who were on trial for killing Mayor Testerman and Tots Tinsley in the battle of Matewan May 19, 1920, when 10 were killed.

———-

[Photograph and emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Sid Hatfield Goes to Williamson Alone, Post Bonds on Warrant Charging Assault of Mine Superintendent”

Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for April 1921: Found in Washington DC with Gompers, Protesting West Virginia’s Jury Bill

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Quote Mother Jones, Doomed, Wmsn WV, June 20, 1920, Speeches Steel, p213—————

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday May 25, 1921
Mother Jones News Round-Up for April 1921
-Found in Washington, D. C., Protesting West Virginia’s Jury Bill

From the Washington Evening Star of April 1, 1921:

PROTEST WEST VIRGINIA JURY LEGISLATION
———-
Samuel Gompers and ”Mother” Jones Speak
at Central Labor Meeting.

Mother Jones IN Dly Tx p1 crpd, July 15, 1920

President Samuel Gompers of the American Federation of Labor and “Mother” Jones of the United Mine Workers led the local protest against enactment of the proposed jury legislation for West Virginia at a special mass meeting of Central Labor Union, in Musicians’ Hall, last night.

President Gompers denounced the proposed law as an abrogation of the right guaranteed to a defendant under the Constitution of the United States providing trial by jury and change of venue. He said that a premeditated conspiracy for the destruction of trades unionism was at the basis of the move for the law which will allow a judge to select a jury from any county in the state no matter in which county the trial was being held. He charged that the judiciary, consciously or unconsciously, were aiding in the fight against organized labor.

Mother Jones was vehement in her expressions against the proposed legislation. She flayed local labor for its seemingly supine attitude.

[She said:]

You haven’t any fire in you at all, sitting here with your comfortable air, while tyranny is being wrought in West Virginia, where babes of murdered fathers are starving for their very bread.

At the conclusion of the meeting a resolution was adopted unanimously denouncing the proposed legislation.

The resolution declared that “the legislature of West Virginia has passed a bill which would place the power in the hands of a trial judge in that state to select a jury from counties outside of that in which the trial is being held,” and that if enacted the proposal would mean “the abrogation of the intent of the jury system.”

———-

[Photograph added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for April 1921: Found in Washington DC with Gompers, Protesting West Virginia’s Jury Bill”

Hellraisers Journal: Martial Law in Mingo Used Against Union Men; UMW Organizer A. D. Lavinder Held Incommunicado

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Quote Mother Jones Princeton WV Speech Aug 15, 1920, Steel Speeches, p227—————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday May 24, 1921
Mingo County, West Virginia – Martial Law Used Against Union Miners

From the Minnesota Daily Star of May 24, 1921

JAIL ORGANIZER OF MINE UNION
Martial Law in Mingo Is Used as
Weapon Against Men

WV Revised State Seal, Sc n Lbr Str p1, May 31, 1912
-from The Socialist and Labor Star of May 31, 1912

Washington, May 21.-Jailing of union organizers by state police has begun in Mingo county, according to word received here this morning by Frank Keeney and Fred Mooney, president and secretary of District 17.

A. D. Lavinder, organizer in the Matewan district, was arrested late yesterday in Williamson by constabulary for carrying a pistol. He was roughly handled and put in jail where he is now held incommunicado.

Lavinder had a permit to carry weapons but under the proclamation of martial law weapons may be carried only in one’s home or place of business.

Several other union men were arrested yesterday in Mingo county.

———-

[Emphasis and cartoon added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Martial Law Declared for Mingo County; Keeney Promises Pay to Non-Union Miners Who Quit Work

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Quote Mother Jones Princeton WV Speech Aug 15, 1920, Steel Speeches, p227—————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday May 21, 1921
Mingo County, West Virginia – Governor Declares Martial Law
 -Keeney’s reply is to promise pay to non-union men who quit work.

From The West Virginian of May 20, 1921:

Mingo Co WV, Gov Proclaims Martial Law, WVgn p1, May 20, 1921—–Mingo Co WV, Keeney Replies to Martial Law, WVgn p1, May 20, 1921

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Martial Law Declared for Mingo County; Keeney Promises Pay to Non-Union Miners Who Quit Work”

Hellraisers Journal: From The Wheeling Intelligencer: “Heavy Firing From Mountaineers Sunday Night at Merrimac”

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Quote Fred Mooney, Mingo Co Gunthugs, UMWJ p15, Dec 1, 1920—————-

Hellraisers Journal – Monday May 16, 1921
Merrimac, West Virginia – Heavy Firing Continues Sunday Night

From The Wheeling Intelligencer of May 16, 1921:

WV Mingo Three Day Battle on Tug, Merrimac, Wlg Int p1, May 16, 1921—–WV Mingo Three Day Battle on Tug, Keeney, State Police, KY Troops, , Wlg Int p1, May 16, 1921

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From The Wheeling Intelligencer: “Heavy Firing From Mountaineers Sunday Night at Merrimac””

Hellraisers Journal: From The Wheeling Intelligencer: Battle Along the Tug Rages On; Six Known Dead in Mingo Coal Fields

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Quote Fred Mooney, Mingo Co Gunthugs, UMWJ p15, Dec 1, 1920—————

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday May 15, 1921
Battle Along the Tug Rages On; Six Known Dead in Mingo Coal Fields

From The Wheeling Intelligencer of May 14, 1921:

WV Mingo Three Day Battle Rages on Tug, Wlg Int p1, May 14, 1921—–WV Mingo Three Day Battle on Tug, Six Dead, Wlg Int p1, May 14, 1921

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From The Wheeling Intelligencer: Battle Along the Tug Rages On; Six Known Dead in Mingo Coal Fields”

Hellraisers Journal: From The West Virginian: “Bloody Battles in Mingo Zone; Four Killed in Fights Along the Border”

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Quote Fred Mooney, Mingo Co Gunthugs, UMWJ p15, Dec 1, 1920—————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday May 14, 1921
Bloody Battles Along the Tug; Fighting Continues on Both Sides of Border

From The West Virginian of May 13, 1921:

Three Day Battle of the Tug Mingo HdLn, WVgn p1, May 13, 1921—–https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86072054/1921-05-13/ed-1/seq-1/—–Three Day Battle of the Tug Mingo KY n WV, WVgn p1, May 13, 1921

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From The West Virginian: “Bloody Battles in Mingo Zone; Four Killed in Fights Along the Border””

Hellraisers Journal: Jubilant Citizens of Matewan, West Virginia, Welcome Home Sid Hatfield and Fifteen Co-Defendants

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Quote Sid Hatfield, Matewan Friends, NYT p6, Mar 22, 1921———-

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday March 23, 1921
Matewan, West Virginia – Sid Hatfield and Co-Defendants Return Home

From The New York Times of March 22, 1921:

Home Folk Welcome Defendants.

Sid Hatfield, Two Gun, Akron Beacon Jr p1, Mar 21, 1921

MATEWAN, W. Va., March 21.-This little mining village called it a holiday today to greet the sixteen mountaineers, defendants in the Matewan battle trial, who were found not guilty by the jury at Williamson this morning.

Apparently all residents of the town were at the station late in the day when the train, which brought home Sid Hatfield, Chief of Police, and his fifteen companions, arrives.

A special car attached to the train held the hillmen and their bodyguard, Pinoon, six deputies, Captain Brockus and ten State troopers.

As the sixteen men stepped from the train and rushed into the arms of relatives and friends women laughed and cried, alternately, and for an hour the defendants were kept busy shaking the hands of men, women and children.

“It is the happiest day Matewan ever knew,” declared one rugged mountaineer as he grasped the hand of Sid Hatfield. 

“At least for me,” Sid replied.

Chief Hatfield was the centre of the admiring throng, and it was with great difficulty that he made his way to his home through the crowd. It took him more than an hour to traverse the 100 yards from the railroad station to his residence.

Arrived at the door of his home, Hatfield gazed upon his right hand, swollen from the hearty grasps of his neighbors, and remarked: “It’s good to know you have so many friends.”

———-

[Photograph and emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Jubilant Citizens of Matewan, West Virginia, Welcome Home Sid Hatfield and Fifteen Co-Defendants”