Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 March 1903 — MINERS FIGHT WITH OFFICERS [ARTICLE]

MINERS FIGHT WITH OFFICERS

Federal and State Forces in Fierce Battle with Striking Workmen. HAD VIOLATED AN INJUNCTION United States Marshal Endeavors to Serve Warrants, but Is Turned Back—Organizes a Posse and Joins With West Virginia Sheriff. > Charleston, W. Va., special: Four miners Are dead, one other is mortally wounded, and several other persons seriously hurt as the result of a battle between rioters and the posses of Deputy United States Marshal Cunningham and Sheriff Cook of Raleigh county acting conjointly. The fight took place at the rioters’ camp near Stanniford City in Raleigh county. The trouble grew out of the attempt to arrest thirty-four miners for violation of the blanket injunction issued by federal Judge Keller last August. Order Marshal to Leave. Deputy Marshal D. W. Cunningham went to Atkinsville, a mining town in Raleigh county, to arrest men charged with violating the injunction. He was surrounded by a large party of miners armed with rifles, who ordered him to leave the place, an order which he quickly obeyed. Sheriff Cook at this time attempted to make some arrests under process issued by the state court and was treated in a like manner.

Cunningham returned to this city and reported to the marshal and district attorney that he could do nothing without a large force, and then only at the risk of precipitating a bloody conflict. He was instructed to return with men sufficient to serve the process given him, and to do it at all hazards.