Hellraisers Journal: Frank Keeney Fears Massacre of Miners, Rushes to Madison to Stop March; Redneck Army at Danville

Quote Mother Jones, WDC Tx p15, Aug 26, 1921 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday August 27, 1921
Madison, West Virginia – Advance Forces of Miners’ Army Reaches Danville

From The Washington Times of Aug 26, 1921:

Page 1:

By International News Service.

MADISON, W. Va., Aug. 26.-The advance forces in the union miners’ “army” of 5,000 men, which is marching toward the Mingo county strike zone, arrived at Danville, a little hamlet along the Coal river, two miles northeast of this place, at noon today.

The men had been marching since 3 o’clock this morning, at which time they broke camp at Racine, sixteen miles northeast of here. The marchers were tired but maintained orderly lines. They hope to reach the Boone-Logan county border by tonight.

—–

By International News Service.

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio, Aug. 26.-Two hundred Federal soldiers from the Columbus barracks arrived at Camp Sherman today to join the 19th United States Infantry here, which is prepared to move at a moment’s notice, into Mingo county, West Virginia.

—–

By International News Service.

MADISON, W. Va., Aug. 26..-C. F. Keeney, of Charleston, president of district No. 17, United Mine Workers of America, left here this morning to head off the invasion of Logan county by 5,000 armed union miners.

Guns and Planes Ready.

Just before leaving Kenney said he had been advised that the sheriff of Logan county had machine guns planted covering all roads and that airplanes were loaded with bombs. Any attempt to march through Logan county would mean a massacre of the union miners’ force. Keeney made haste to reach the men before bloodshed resulted.

The marchers left Racine today for Madison and will not reach here until late this afternoon or tonight. The miners’ army is 12 miles from here now.

Deny Pitched Battle.

Published reports that Sheriff Don Chafin of Logan county and 300 Deputies had engaged in battle late Thursday with the miners’ army were flatly denied by both Kenney and local authorities. A small rumor was magnified into a great fact last night, it was stated. There was no battle or trouble of any kind.

—————

[Most emphasis not added.]

Page 15:

Troops Not Needed In Mingo, Bandholtz
Reports to War Dept.

By International News Service.

There is no immediate necessity for the dispatch of Federal troops into West Virginia, General Bandholtz, who was sent to West Virginia to investigate conditions, reported to Acting Secretary of War Wainwright today……

“Mother” Jones called upon Secretary Wainwright today to urge that Federal troops be kept out of West Virginia, stating that the situation could be handled by the State forces. She said that she had urged the armed band to go home and had expected that action would follow.

[Mother Jones said:]

There is an ulcer in West Virginia that must be removed and that is the private army maintained by the coal operators.

She told the secretary that if the Baldwin Felts Detective Agency charter was revoked that much of the trouble in West Virginia would be obviated…..

—————

[Emphasis added.]