Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 284, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1920 — TROOPS SENT TO VIRGINIA MINES [ARTICLE]

TROOPS SENT TO VIRGINIA MINES

Four Hundred Regulars to Quell Disorder in Mingo Coal „ Strike Zone. GOVERNOR SEMI 111 REQUEST Executive Says Situation Is Beyond Control of the County and State Authorities—Major Thompson Calls on Governor. Charleston, W. Va.. Nov. 29.—Four hundred soldiers of the regular army arrived at Williamson, W. Va., for duty in the Mingo coal’ strike zone, where numerous disorders have occurred during the Inst week. The troops left Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, and were sent by the government at the, request of Gov. John j'. Cornwell, who announced that the Mingo situation was beyond control of the county and state authorities. • Await Wilson Reply. Stgte officials V ere waited for President Wilson’s reply to the governor’s request that the. former declare the Mingo region under martial* law. In asking that the zone be placed under military law. (he governor said that Mingo authorities believed the soldiers could control the situation without martial law, but that he did not concur In this view.

Seven Persons Killed. A strike of coal miners has been In progress in Mingo territory for many months. Frequent disorders occurred, and finally Governor Cornwell called government troops. While the soldiers had control in the region, quiet prevailed, but, when they were removed, about six weeks, ago, disorders again became frequent. In the last week several persons, including a state trooper, were shot and killed, others were wounded and groups of unidentified persons attacked coal properties. State Office Calle on Governor. Maj. C. F. Thompson of the general staff of the Fifth army area at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, reached here and Immediately called on Governor Cornwell. While no official announcement of the purpose of his visit was made, it was - stated unofficially that it was connected with the movement of federal troops ordered into Mingo county.