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Brandon Ray Kirk

Category Archives: Battle of Blair Mountain

Don Chafin: The Most Famous Sheriff in the United States (1925)

26 Saturday Jun 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Matewan, Williamson

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Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, Democratic Party, Don Chafin, Ed Chambers, Ephraim Morgan, history, Logan Banner, Logan County, Matewan, Mingo County, Mingo Republican, politics, sheriff, Sid Hatfield, United Mine Workers of America, West Virginia, Williamson

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this item about Don Chafin, sheriff of Logan County during the Armed March. The story is dated November 6, 1925.

Don Chafin Renowned as Sheriff of Logan

His Prowess During Threatened Invasion of Union Miners is Recalled in Mingo Republican

Bids Friends Goodbye

Don Chafin, former sheriff of Logan county, paid what might be his farewell visit to Williamson for a long time on Tuesday. While here he expressed to many his appreciation of their concern for him in his present plight.

Chafin was the most famous sheriff in the United States during his regime in Logan county, where he ruled with an iron hand. He was the main prop in the Democratic machine there and a prominent figure in the life of the county.

Sheriff Chafin won his greatest fame during the threatened invasion of Logan county by the armed march of 5,000 or more miners bent on destroying the Logan court house and finally reaching Williamson to release from the local jail a number of union men charged with violations of Gov. Morgan’s martial law.

Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers, two well known union men of Matewan, had just been killed on the court house steps at Welch and the passions of the miners were thoroughly aroused. The armed march was once halted but was resumed after a midnight battle between the officers and miners on the county road near Sharples.

The invasion then began with forts and vigor. The defenders of Logan under the leadership of Sheriff Chafin were intrenched along a wide front and several clashes took place. The fame of the the doughty sheriff caused many from the outside to rally to his banner.

Mr. Chafin has numerous relatives and friends here to whom the parting was one of real regret. They are steadfast in their belief in his innocence, claiming that he is the victim of a frameup. Chafin was profuse in his expressions of gratitude over the loyalty of his friends on this side of the Logan line.

Mine Guards of Logan (1922)

16 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal, Huntington, Logan

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Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, Charles Town, Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, coal, Democratic Party, deputy sheriff, Don Chafin, geography, history, Huntington, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, mine guards, politics, Republican Party, West Virignia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this editorial about mine guards, dated June 30, 1922:

MINE GUARDS OF LOGAN

The attorneys for the defense in the miners’ trials at Charles Town, which have been in progress for the past several weeks, have taken every opportunity of referring to the deputy sheriffs of Logan county mine guards as “thugs” and “two-gun men.”

Logan county is, and has been for several years, ruled by officers elected on the Democratic ticket. The Logan Banner adheres to the party of Lincoln, Grant, Roosevelt and Harding. It believes in the policy of the Grand Old Party and so long as that belief endures we will be found advocating the doctrines as preached by the leaders of this political organization.

Politics has no place in the discussion of the so called mine guard system in Logan county. We hold the love and respect of our homes far above any reverence to political parties and when the good name of Logan is attacked we forget political lines and join with the good people of this vast community in resenting any reflection on the fair name of Logan.

It has always been a mystery to us why the demand for the abolishment of the extra number of deputy sheriffs in this county should come from parties who are non-residents of the county? Who has demanded their abolishment? What cry has been heard from Logan county for aid? What facts have been presented of any unlawful acts committed at the hands of officers in this county?

Logan is filled with men of the highest type of intelligence. Likewise, they have many, many men here who are as brave as any men to be found in the nation. These men would not, for an instant, be a party to crimes in the county without raising their voices in protest. When it is all sifted down, it is found the hue and cry for a change of conditions is raised by those other than citizens of Logan county. Here are four points that must be borne in mind when considering Logan county:

  1. Due to the natural geographical conditions, Logan is rather isolated from other sections of the state.
  2. Due to this isolation and the fact that it is far removed from through transportation facilities, it is hard to attract labor here.
  3. In order to secure labor it becomes necessary to employ many who have had previous criminal careers.
  4. The county is mountainous, the operations are many and widely scattered, and the forces of deputies are not too many but otherwise too small to maintain order and uphold the law in an area of 400 square miles

Logan is situated among the mountains with but one natural outlet. This is by way of the C. & O. branch line to Huntington. The county is naturally divided by creeks, valleys, and branch railway lines. On these can be found many operations, employing hundreds of laborers, and to successfully cope with the lawless the sheriff is naturally required to employ more than the usual amount of deputies.

If Logan county was situated on the trunk line of any railway system, it would be a much easier task to supply the mines with labor, but due to the fact that it is far removed from any other section of the state and that in order to reach any other point, east, west, north or south it becomes necessary to travel over a distance of 75 miles to Huntington, labor is hard to obtain.

In securing this labor to fill the requirements of the large corporations operating here, it is necessary to visit the employment agencies located in the larger cities. Anyone acquainted with these agencies recognize the fact they are not scrupulous about whom they list, and the natural consequence is that many brought here on transportation are recognized criminals and members of all nationalities. Not all of them, thank goodness, are of the lawless class, but many are. They require constant watching and close scrutiny to see that their criminal tendencies do not become too pronounced. In order to do this it becomes imperative to have a large force of officers.

In view of the fact that there are 142 operations in this county and that approximately 50,000 people are laboring within our borders it can be readily seen that 35 deputies are a comparative small force to exercise supervision over such a huge population. Should a riot break out within our county it would require at least eight hours to obtain help from any section of the state. The fact that Logan needs as large a force of officers was amply attested when the armed march was made on Logan last August.

This article is not written in the defense of Don Chafin or his deputies. They need no defense at our hands. It is not written in defense of a policy adopted by any political party in the county. Regardless of the political affiliations of the sheriff, the Banner would earnestly recommend to anyone, be he the most rabid Republican in the county, if they should be sheriff, the retention of an official force as large as is now employed.

A great hue and cry has been raised because the salaries of these officers have been paid by the coal operators. Let us for a moment realize that the coal industry in the county is the sole industry in our midst. Upon the shoulders of these operators fall the burden of the peace and happiness of their employees. It is in order to furnish these employees protection and security that they have gone into their pocket books and paid for this protection. Who objects? Have you heard a taxpayer in Logan county object? Not one. They are perfectly willing that this cost shall be borne by the operators. They might as well object to the operators subscribing to better schools in Logan. Also voice opposition to better roads, the burden of which falls on the shoulders of the operators.

No one has heard a Macedonian cry from Logan for aid? Not even when union fields of the state were appealing for bread. If there was ever an example of the benefits of the non-union shop plan it was simply exemplified during the recent dull period. Logan worked and fared well. We have no ills to cure nor any abuses that need redress. The propaganda put forth pour from the foul mouths of others than citizens of Logan county and we beseech them to busy themselves with affairs other than ours, for we are perfectly able to take care of ourselves, and when we need their assistance, or advice, we will call for them loud and long.

Don Chafin’s Deputies (1921)

21 Monday Dec 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal, Logan

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A.A. Vance, Albert Butcher, Albert Gore, Allen Mounts, Allie Johnson, Anderson Dempsey, Appalachia, B.B. Young, B.F. Baker, B.M. Hager, Battle of Blair Mountain, Bilton Perry, Bruce Davidson, Buren Browning, C.H. Huffman, C.H. Perry, C.W. Bias, C.W. Hamilton, Cassa Booton, Charles Bryant, Charles Duty, Charles Stollings, deputy sheriff, Don Chafin, E.D. Gore, E.H. Scaggs, E.M. Burke, E.S. Harman, Earl Cook, Ed Cook, Ed Mullins, Elbert Dempsey, Erastus Perry, Evert Dingess, F.C. Mullins, F.H. Hall, Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland, Frank Maynard, Fult Mitchell, G.F. Downey Jr., G.L. Burgess, genealogy, George C. Steele, George Chafin, George Dimitrijevich, George H. Munch, George M. Browning, Guy Fox Gore, H.H. Farley, history, J.C. Gore, J.C.L. Harris, J.E. Mullins, J.F. May, J.H. Ford, J.J. Gilmore, J.O. Hill, J.T. Ashworth, J.T. Walsh, Jess Cook, Jesse Gartin, Joe Blair, John E. Sewell, John L. Gearhart, K.F. Mounts, L.E. Steele, Lawrence Adkins, Lee Belcher, Lee Callaway, Lewis Farley, Logan, Logan County, Lucian Mitchell, Milton Stowers, N.E. Steele, N.L. Barger, P.J. Riley, Patrick L. Murphy, Peter M. Toney, R.F. Booton, R.W. Estep, Red Akers, Ren Stollings, sheriff, Sherwood Baldwin, Simpson Booton, T.C. Chafin, W.C. Holbrook, W.C. Whited, W.D. Henshaw, W.E. White, W.F. Butcher, W.F. Farley, W.M. Patrick, Wayne Chafin, West Virginia, William Gore

The following list of Don Chafin’s deputies prior to the Battle of Blair Mountain is based on Record of Bonds E in the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:

Name, Date of Appointment, Surety, Surety Amount, Page

Lawrence Adkins…25 January 1921…Albert Gore…$5000…144

Red Akers…23 August 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…279

J.T. Ashworth…1 February 1921…J.H. Ford…$5000…155

B.F. Baker…28 February 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…172

Sherwood Baldwin…2 August 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…269

N.L. Barger…1 February 1921…J.H. Ford…$5000…153

Lee Belcher…1 February 1921…Charles Stollings, Anderson Dempsey, M. Elkins…$5000…149

C.W. Bias…5 April 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…210

R.F. Booton…31 January 1921…Cassa Booton and Simpson Booton…$5000…148

George M. Browning…8 February 1921…C.E. Browning…$5000…158

Charles Bryant…18 June 1921…A.A. Vance, G.F. Gore…$5000…244

G.L. Burgess…4 April 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…207

E.M. Burke…10 June 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…240

Albert Butcher…24 January 1921…W.F. Butcher…$5000…143

Lee Callaway…13 May 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$______…226

Wayne Chafin…12 February 1921…Milton Stowers…$5000…164

Earl Cook…15 July 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…260

Jess Cook…15 July 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…259

Bruce Davidson…20 May 1921…G.F. Gore…$5000…230

Elbert Dempsey…26 February 1921…Milton Stowers…$5000…171

George Dimitrijevich…17 February 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…167

G.F. Downey, Jr….3 August 1921…J.B. Ellis, Evert Dingess…$5000…272

Charles Duty…11 April 1921…George Chafin…$5000…212

R.W. Estep…8 March 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…183

H.H. Farley…24 March 1921…L.E. Steele…$5000…198

Lewis Farley…15 July 1921…G.F. Gore…$5000…258

J.H. Ford…27 May 1921…P.J. Riley…$5000…235

Jesse Gartin…31 January 1921…J.O. Hill…$5000…147

John L. Gearhart…5 March 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…173

J.J. Gilmore…17 March 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…193

E.D. Gore…14 June 1921…William Gore, Guy F. Gore…$5000…243

B.M. Hager…5 April 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…209

F.H. Hall…1 February 1921…J.H. Ford…$5000…154

C.W. Hamilton…21 April 1921…W.E. White…$5000…218

E.S. Harmon…12 August 1921…E.S. Harman and George Chafin…$5000…277

J.C.L. Harris…23 May 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…233

W.D. Henshaw…23 March 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…197

W.C. Holbrook…23 March 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…196

C.H. Huffman…5 August 1921…C.H. Huffman and P.M. Toney…$5000…273

Allie Johnson…8 February 1921…J.C. Gore…$5000…157

J.F. May…19 July 1921…W.F. Farley…$5000…262

Frank Maynard…25 January 1921…G.F. Gore and Charles Stollings…$5000…145

Lucian Mitchell…1 July 1921…Fult Mitchell…$3500…270

Allen Mounts…1 April 1921…T.C. Chafin, K.F. Mounts…$5000…204

Ed Mullins…12 February 1921…F.C. Mullins…$5000…163

F.C. Mullins…25 January 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…146

John Mullins…28 March 1921…J.E. Mullins…$5000…211

George H. Munch…23 August 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…278

Patrick L. Murphy…22 February 1921…W.E. White and Allen Mounts…$5000…169

W.M. Patrick…13 July 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…256

Bilton Perry…27 April 1921…Buren Browning…$5000…219

C.H. Perry…5 February 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…151

Erastus Perry…1 August 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…267

E.H. Scaggs…10 March 1921…Ed Cook…$5000…184

John E. Sewell…10 June 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company…$3500…239

L.E. Steele…24 March 1921…H.H. Farley…$5000…199

N.E. Steele…18 July 1921…George C. Steele…$5000…261

Ren Stollings…9 February 1921…Charles Stollings and Milton Stowers…$5000…160

J.T. Walsh…12 March 1921…Milton Stowers…$5000…188

Ed White…21 January 1921…Joe Blair…$5000…142

W.C. Whited…8 February 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…159

B.B. Young…4 April 1921…Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland…$3500…208

This list will be updated soon to include more names.

State v. Edgar Combs (1923): Statement of W.H. Moss, No. 28

15 Tuesday Dec 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal

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Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, Bevill Hardware Company, crime, genealogy, history, Logan, Logan County, Lola Herald, United Mine Workers of America, W.H. Moss, West Virginia

State v. Edgar Combs (1923): Statement of B.C. Harris, No. 24

09 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal, Logan

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B.C. Harris, Battle of Blair Mountain, Edgar Combs, history, Logan, Logan County, Lola Herold, merchant, United Mine Workers of America, West Virginia

Federal Troops at Blair Mountain

07 Monday Dec 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal

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Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, coal, history, Logan County, West Virginia

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State v. Edgar Combs (1923): Statement of Ed Cook and Others, No. 22

02 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal, Logan

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A.M. Dial, Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, Charles L. Estep, Claude Gore, coal, Coal River, crime, Ed Cook, Edgar Combs, Elmer Gore, Everett Wellman, George Chafin, H.E. Keadle, history, Isaac Brewer, Joe Blair, John Browning, John C. Gore, John Cafelgo, Lawrence Adkins, Lee Belcher, Logan County, Simp Thompson, United Mine Workers of America, W.F. Butcher, West Virginia

Logan Chamber of Commerce Offers Cool Reception to UMWA Officials (1925)

18 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Boone County, Logan

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Aracoma Hotel, Boone County, C.A. Brubeck, Chamber of Commerce, Herrin, history, Illinois, Kanawha County, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Mingo County, Ohio, Pomeroy, United Mine Workers of America, West Virginia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about a visit to Logan by United Mine Workers of America officials in 1925. The story is dated August 28, 1925.

Local Citizens Resent Visit of Union Officials

Chamber of Commerce Adopts Resolutions At Special Meeting, and Informs Visitors That They Are Unwelcome Guests

Just how thoroughly the citizens generally of this community are opposed to the activities and methods of the United Mine Workers of America was amply demonstrated this week when officials of the organization were frankly and almost bluntly told by committees waiting on them that their presence here was not desired and they were invited to make themselves conspicuous by their absence.

Two weeks ago eight officials prominent in the affairs of the organization paid a visit to this city and cloaked their activities with a secrecy which tended to excite suspicion. After a stay of a little over a day they departed for an unknown destination, leaving behind the information that they would return shortly. Tuesday four of them again made their appearance and immediately matters began to move with startling rapidity.

A special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was hurriedly called. Before the visitors had been in the city a half hour members of the Chamber were being summoned by telephone and by messenger to assemble in special session. The response to the call was quite general for the business men of the community realized what the future promised where United Mine Workers methods prevailed. Pomeroy, Ohio and Herrin, Illinois, did not appeal to them as a possible future for Logan, so all other affairs were dropped and the meeting was promptly in session.

The subject of the visit was thoroughly discussed and it was unanimously decided that the best interests of the community demanded that unquestioned action should be taken. The experiences of other cities and communities where United Mine Workers methods prevailed were gone into thoroughly and in detail and the members went on record by unanimously adopting the following resolutions:

WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Logan that certain officials of the United Mine Workers of America have made a recent visit to our city and are now back again, and

WHEREAS, we believe it is their desire and intention to stir up industrial strife in attempting to form an organization of the miners in this field, and,

WHEREAS, we have a peaceful, quiet community of good law-abiding citizens, and the miners in our section are now doing well and everything is peaceful and pleasant and that the relations between the coal operators and the miners is pleasant and agreeable, which is conducive to the peace and prosperity of our county; and

WHEREAS, the results and experiences in sections where efforts towards organization on the part of the United Mine Workers of America have been so destructive and disastrous to the industrial success of such communities such as Pomeroy, Ohio, Herrin, Ill., Northern West Virginia and Kanawha, Boone and Mingo Counties, which communities are still suffering from the effects of such attempted organization, and believing that the usual tactics would be pursued in this field if such organization is attempted.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this body in meeting assembled, unanimously deplores the fact of any such attempted organization and go on record as being unqualifiedly opposed to say activities towards such attempted organization on the part of the United Mine Workers of America, or any of their agents, servants or employees.

AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be spread on the minutes of this meeting and also delivered to the press.

This resolution unanimously adopted this the twenty-fifth day of August, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty Five.

Logan Chamber of Commerce.

H.A. DAVID, chairman

C.A. BRUBECK, secretary

***

It was decided that a committee be appointed to wait on the visitors and in plain language inform them that their presence here was not desired and inviting them to transfer their activities to some other territory remote from Logan.

Shortly after the meeting adjourned, a committee of some twenty-five or thirty members paid a visit to the Aracoma hotel, where the officials were making their headquarters, and conveyed to them the feelings and decisions of the business men of the community. When the officials entered the parlor, where the committee had gathered, the spokesman conveyed to the visitors the reason for their interview in substantially the following words:

Men: Those assembled represent the business interests of the community members of the Chamber of Commerce. We know that you are not here for any good purpose, either for the good of the business interests or the good of the citizens of Logan county or its interests. We know your history in the past. We know what you did to Boone county and we…

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State v. Edgar Combs (1923): Statement of Simp Thompson, No. 21

17 Tuesday Nov 2020

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Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, Blair Mountain, Charles L. Estep, Chauncey, Edgar Combs, history, Litz-Smith Coal Company, Logan County, Simp Thompson, United Mine Workers of America, West Virginia

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk | Filed under Battle of Blair Mountain

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Armed March: Federation of Labor Seeks Pardon for Killer (1925)

13 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain

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Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, Blair Mountain, Charleston, crime, deputy sheriff, Edgar Combs, Ephraim Morgan, genealogy, governor, Harold Houston, history, Howard Gore, Huntington, J.E. Wilburn, John Gore, John Wilburn, labor, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Moundsville, prosecuting attorney, United Mine Workers of America, West Virginia, West Virginia Federation of Labor, Wheeling Metal and Manufacturing Company

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, in a story dated August 14, 1925, comes this bit of history relating to the “armed march” on Logan and Mingo counties in 1921:

FEDERATION ASKS PARDON FOR MAN WHO KILLED GORE

The West Virginia Federation of Labor has been holding its annual convention in Huntington during the past week.

On Tuesday morning the convention unanimously passed a resolution calling upon Governor Howard M. Gore to pardon or parole Edgar Combs who is serving a sentence imposed in connection with the murder of John Gore who was killed on Blair mountain when the “Red Necks” made their famous “armed march” in an attempt to invade Logan and unionize this field.

The resolution was presented Monday by Attorney Harold Houston, of Charleston, counsel for the United Mine Workers in District 17.

The resolution was as follows:

“Whereas Edgar Combs is now confined in the state penitentiary at Moundsville serving a life sentence imposed by the circuit court of Logan county for the alleged murder of John Gore, killed on Blair mountain during a clash between members of the ‘armed march’ of 1921 and a posse of Logan county; and

“Whereas he is now the only person serving in the penitentiary for an offence connected with said uprising, the Rev. J.E. Wilburn and John Wilburn, his son, having turned so-called ‘state’s evidence’ and been pardoned by Governor Ephraim H. Morgan, the said pardon to take effect early in the year 1926; and

“Whereas all of the many hundreds of prosecutions growing out of said trouble have been dismissed and abandoned by the prosecuting attorney of Logan county; and

“Whereas Edgar Combs has a wife and five infant children dependent upon him for maintenance and support, his wife at the present time working for the Wheeling Metal and Manufacturing company in an effort to keep her family together.

“Therefore, be it resolved by the eighteenth annual convention of the West Virginia Federation of Labor assembled at the city of Huntington W.Va. that we earnestly petition the Honorable Howard M. Gore, Governor of West Virginia, to grant and extend executive clemency to Edgar Combs, and either pardon or parole him for said alleged offense.

“And be it further resolved, that a copy of this resolution be immediately forwarded to Governor Gore for its consideration.”

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State v. Edgar Combs (1923): Statement of W.M. White, No. 20

08 Sunday Nov 2020

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Appalachia, Charles L. Estep, Department of Public Safety, history, James Jeffrey, Lewis White, Logan County, sheriff, United Mine Workers of America, W.M. White, West Virginia

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk | Filed under Battle of Blair Mountain

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State v. Edgar Combs (1923): Statement of Thomas West

08 Sunday Nov 2020

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Appalachia, attorney, Cabell County, coal, H.W. Houston, Huntington, Logan County, Thomas West, United Mine Workers of America, West Virginia

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk | Filed under Battle of Blair Mountain, Huntington

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Battle of Blair Mountain (1921)

27 Tuesday Oct 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Logan

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Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, Bilton McDonald, C.S. Minter, crime, Don Chafin, F.O. Woerner, F.R. Remlinger, F.S. Schuster, First National Bank, Fulton Mitchell, H.C. Hill, history, justice of the peace, labor, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Mine Wars, Naaman Jackson, sheriff, Sidney B. Lawson, true crime, United Mine Workers of America, W.S. Bradshaw, West Virginia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this item dated September 9, 1921 about the “armed march” on Logan County by union miners:

TROOPS END GREAT CONFLICT

CITIZENS MEET TO SEND THANKS TO SISTER COUNTIES WHO SO NOBLY HELPED

The war is over!

With the arrival of federal troops Saturday and the relieving of the boys along the battle sector Sunday morning Logan citizens started to regain rest which has been denied for two weeks. All Sunday afternoon special trains were speedily filled up and started on their way with tired but happy men, for their homes up and down the county and to our neighboring counties who so willingly came to our help at a time when days looked very black for the future of our beautiful county.

Every man a volunteer and every one ready for action as soon as he arrived in Logan. Logan will never forget the sacrifice made.

Monday evening in answer to a call issued, the circuit court room filled with citizens of Logan to give thanks and offer resolutions to those helping us and to the counties who so nobly responded to our calls for help.

The meeting was opened by Clarence McD. England and Naaman Jackson, president of the First National Bank was elected chairman. Committees were immediately appointed to draw up the resolutions. During the time the committees were preparing the resolutions several impromptu speeches were made. The speakers included Attorney Lilly and Chafin. Mr. Chafin emphasized the fact that it was due to Kanawha county’s failure to properly cope with the situation at the time when it could have been handled without bloodshed that it become necessary for Logan to mobilize an army under arms to protect its rights as a county. He brought forth rousing cheers when he stated that Logan county has a sheriff who had made the statement that “they shall not pass” and now they could say “THEY DID NOT PASS!” The fighting parsons were called for. They were the Reverends Coffey and Dodge.

Rev. Dodge said we had taught the rednecks the meaning of “Love” as it had been taught to him when a child–that of the application of a slipper to a part of his anatomy. He said it was in this manner he preached the meaning of the word and felt in this way Logan had showed her love for those who were fighting under the red flag through ignorance but who have now laid down their arms to resume the more peaceful pursuit of “live and let live.”

Justice of the Peace Fulton Mitchell was called on for a speech relative to the treatment received at the hands of the enemy when he and his three companions were captured and held for more than a week. His remarks were of the same content as will be found in another column of this issue.

In due time the resolutions had been prepared and read to those present and were speedily adopted and have been sent to the counties specified.

They are as follows:

Logan, Logan County, West Va.,

September 5, 1921

To the Officials and Citizens of our Neighboring West Virginia Counties, and the Western Counties of Virginia, whose Aid and Counsel was so Freely and Generously given to us at the time of the threatened invasion of our boundaries:

GREETING:

The representative citizenship of Logan county, West Virginia, in mass meeting on this day assembled, do hereby earnestly and publicly express to you and each of you, our sincere and hearty thanks and appreciation for the substantial, timely and very valuable aid and assistance rendered to our county and our citizenship during the recent attempted invasion of our boundaries by a misguided and hostile mob, imbued with the spirit of anarchy and fighting under the red flag.

The value of the help brought by the men who came to us from your counties cannot be overestimated. The organization was soon perfected and proved effective in holding back the invaders.

While your men were with us they showed fine courage and devotion to duty; their bearing was always that of courteous gentlemen, and the citizens of Logan county most heartily thank you and your gallant men for the splendid help given.

We hope the occasion will never arise when you will need similar assistance, but, if such a crisis should occur, our men will be found ready to respond.

Respectfully,

REV. W.S. BRADSHAW

F.S. SCHUSTER

F.O. WOERNER

C.S. MINTER

DR. H.C. HILL

Resolutions Committee.

The foregoing resolution was unanimously adopted at a mass meeting held in the City of Logan, September 5, 1921.

NAAMAN JACKSON, Chairman.

F.S. SCHUSTER, Sec’y.

In mass meeting assembled at County Court House in Logan, September 5th, 1921:

The citizens of Logan county–

RESOLVED: That the actions and efforts of the Logan county officials as well as those of the loyal men and women, are most heartily commended and approved, and it is further

RESOLVED: That the final results of such are most gratefully acknowledged and appreciated, and be it

RESOLVED: That a copy of these resolutions be printed in our local newspapers.

DR. S.B. LAWSON

F.R. REMLINGER

BILTON McDONALD

Committee.

Armed March: More Union Miners Arrested (1922)

19 Monday Oct 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal, Logan

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Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, coal, Coal River, George Hensley, history, Jim Aldeman, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Mine Wars, Mote Thompson, Sam Mullins, Watt Aldeman, West Virginia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this item dated April 7, 1922 about the arrest of more union miners relating to the “armed march” on Logan County:

State Police Bring in Five More Miners

State policemen arrived in Logan Sunday evening with five more men whom they had arrested on Coal River and other points in that section of the state who were charged with being “red necks” or members of the armed body of miners who marched on Logan last August.

Jim and Watt Aldeman, Mote Thompson, George Hensley and Sam Mullins constituted the party under arrest. These men escaped the officers for many months, but the ferreting out process of the state officers goes merrily on and it is understood they are still valiantly seeking others for whom they have warrants and the number now charged with participation in the march and now in jail or under bond will be constantly augmented until the entire number have been rounded up and their names registered with the keeper of the Logan jail.

Armed March: Kanawha County Sheriff H.A. White (1921)

16 Friday Oct 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Logan

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Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, crime, Don Chafin, H.A. White, Kanawha County, Logan, Logan County, Mine Wars, Mingo County, sheriff, United Mine Workers of America, West Virginia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this item dated September 2, 1921 about Kanawha County sheriff H.A. Walker and his role in the “armed march” on Logan County, WV, by UMWA miners:

IS KANAWHA PROUD OF HER SHERIFF?

We presume the citizens of Kanawha county are justly proud of their sheriff, H.A. Walker.

When Kanawha county citizens, all miners, last week decided that since Logan county was enjoying an unbroken peace of seventeen years, or from the time coal operations began, it would probably overlook the state pistol toting law and the United States treason laws and remain peacefully subservient thus allowing them to pass as quietly through Logan county as possible which might include pillaging a few homes and only a murder or two. Did Logan’s sheriff permit it? Let’s see.

This mob was allowed to gather in Kanawha county by their sheriff who visited their camp, saw armed sentinels and is said to have received authentic information of pillaging and looting and auto holdups in his county yet sends in the report of “everything orderly.” This then means that a person or several hundred persons may carry arms in Kanawha county so long as they are orderly even though he or they should hold up an auto or two “to see if the driver was carrying whiskey to the campers along the road.”

For shame, Kanawha. You permit a man to hold this high office who allows all of this in violation of his sacred oath, because he fears to disarm these men who came down through Boone leaving a trail of blood along the way, into Logan where families forsake their homes at two o’clock in the morning and drive to Logan city for protection; where every available man is pressed into service for fighting while his mother, wife, daughter and sister spend sleepless days and nights preparing food for him.

You should be pleased, Kanawha, that some of your citizens have produced this reign of terror, but it remained for Logan county’s sheriff to uphold the laws of the State of West Virginia and the laws of the United States and stop this mad rush of Kanawha county citizens into Mingo which would have ended in a manner which God alone knows.

There is no place in modern civilization for the Kanawha demonstration. It is wrong in principle, subservient to anarchy and flagrantly outrageous in the reputation it gives the state. It is the fault of Sheriff Walker that the name of West Virginia is once again disgraced as one of the United States, but thanks to Sheriff Don Chafin and Logan county citizens, the laws are upheld before the more serious encounters ensued.

J.T. Morris Addresses Kiwanis about Blair Mountain (1923)

05 Sunday Jul 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal, Logan

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American Civil Liberties Union, Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, Frank Keeney, history, J.T. Morris, Kiwanis Club, Logan, Logan Banner, Macbeth, Morgan County, Raleigh Register, Rotary Club, United Mine Workers of America, West Virginia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history regarding the Armed March, or the Battle of Blair Mountain, dated March 30, 1923:

Morris Tells of Logan’s Invasion

Speaking before the Kiwanis club at its luncheon last Friday noon, J.T. Morris, who is now located at MacBeth, Logan county, told in some detail of the visit to Logan county on Sunday, March 4th, of the emissaries of the American Civil Liberties Union, characterizing the “invasion” as a “fizzle,” and stating that free speech was as free in Logan county as anywhere else in the country, but that both the mine workers and mine operators of the county were unalterably opposed to the United Mine Workers of America, and were in solid compact against it.

Mr. Morris stated that every mine worker in the Logan field was bound by his contract of employment to resist encroachment of the U.M.W.A., and that the employers in turn were bound in the same way and would resist to the last ditch. It was under these contracts, approved by a decision of the United States supreme court, the speaker said, that the recent injunctions against the United Mine Workers of America had been secured, and that these injunctions covered every means of attack except that brought about through the American Civil Liberties Union; which has also been busy with propaganda in the interest of C. Frank Keeney in Morgan county.

Their method of approach, widely advertised by inflammatory statements, Mr. Morris described as an insult to the people of Logan county. What was actually said at the meeting was very tame in comparison, he said. They merely generalized on the subject of free speech, and that didn’t worry Loganites, for any man can come into Logan and speak without hindrance so long as he stays within the limits of the law, of common decency and of the public interest.

Mr. Morris read extracts from the addresses of what he dubbed the “wise men of the east.”

Logan county is a unit in its resentment against its defamers. The bar association, the clergy, the chamber of commerce, the Rotary club–all have passed stirring resolutions condemning the insults heaped on the community.

Reprinted from the Raleigh Register

Union Miner Fugitive Shoots State Witnesses in Ohio (1923)

28 Sunday Jun 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal

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A.M. Belcher, Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, David Moore, Edward Reynolds, Elmer Ashworth, history, J.E. Miller, J.W. Swanner, L.C. Davis, Logan Banner, Ohio, Pomeroy, prosecuting attorney, United Mine Workers of America, Vulcan, West Virginia

On May 11, 1923, the Logan Banner printed this item relating to the “Armed March” or the Battle of Blair Mountain:

STATE’S WITNESSES ARE SHOT TO DEATH IN OHIO BY MARCHER

J.W. Swanner and Edward Reynolds, Chief Witnesses in Houston Trial, Murdered By Fugitive

POMEROY, O., May 9.–J.W. Swanner and Edward Reynolds, West Virginia miners, were shot and killed in the mining camp of Vulcan, near here, at 10 o’clock this morning by J.E. Miller, a coal miner. Miller gave as his reason that he feared the two men had come to kidnap him and take him back to West Virginia in connection with the Logan armed march.

Miller’s wife went to the door of their house when Swanner knocked. She closed the door and called to Miller who came to the door with his revolver. He fired through the glass at Swanner, shooting him in the left breast. Reynolds, who was a lame man, attempted to run away and Miller stepped outside the door and fired three shots into Reynolds’ back. Both men died almost instantly.

Were Unarmed

Persons who saw the shooting telephoned to the sheriff’s office at Pomeroy and Deputy Sheriffs Elmer Ashworth and David Moore responded and arrested Miller at his house.

Search of the bodies of Swanner and Reynolds disclosed that they were unarmed. Swanner had in his pocket a letter from A.M. Belcher, offering Miller immunity if the latter would return to West Virginia to testify in the armed march trials.

Swanner and Reynolds had both turned state’s evidence in these cases. When this fact became known the feeling expressed in the mining camp was that both men had got what they deserved. This section is very strongly union in sentiment.

Prosecuting Attorney L.C. Davis…

[I cropped the story here by mistake.]

Armed Marcher Marries in Logan (1922)

06 Saturday Jun 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal, Logan, Williamson

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Appalachia, Blair Mountain, Charleston, history, Jack Brinkham, Jack Brinkman, Lacie Kirk, Logan Banner, Logan County, Peach Creek, West Virginia, William Chafin

On February 17, 1922, the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, offered this little tale relating to the Armed March, or the Battle of Blair Mountain as it is mostly known now:

JAIL PARLOR IS SCENE OF HAPPY WEDDING FEB. 15

Miss Lacie Kirk, of Peach Creek, Becomes Bride of Jack Brinkham, of Charleston

That little goddess of love called Cupid simply will not be downed. Blows below the belt, solar-plexus blows and all others fail to knock the little fellow out and he remains constantly on the job. Obstacles are nothing in his life and no obstruction is so great as to be insurmountable by him. Cupid had shot his darts into the heart of Jack Brinkman, pianist for the Hippodrome Theatre of Charleston and also into the heart of Miss Lacie Kirk of Peach Creek some months ago and the wounds were to be healed on January 22, when they expected to appear before a minister and have the injury cured via the matrimonial route but Fate struck Cupid a blow that all but put the little fellow out for the count.

On the evening preceding the intended wedding, Capt. Lilly of the state police arrived in Charleston, and in his pocket he carried a warrant for the arrest of Brinkman, charging him with being a member of the armed band who marched on Logan county last August. Capt. Lilly executed the warrant and brought Brinkman to Logan and lodged him in the county jail, where he lingered until Wednesday of this week when he obtained bail.

In the meantime the wound in the heart of Miss Kirk had refused to heal and cupid kept alive the spark of love kindled in her breast in days gone by. She bided the time and with womanly patience and fidelity she counted the days until her intended husband should gain his freedom.

Brinkman was busy Wednesday making preparations for the ceremony and the parlor of the Jailor’s residence was obtained and the nuptial knot tied there. Mr. Wm. Chafin of Williamson was present and played for the wedding ceremony and many relatives and friends of the couple were present to witness the happy event, which was a very elaborate affair. The happy couple left the residence amid the congratulations and best wishes of those present and the day proved doubly happy to them in that the husband had again obtained liberty and likewise a lovely bride.

Ethel, Logan County, WV (2020)

11 Saturday Apr 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal, Huntington, Italian American History

≈ 1 Comment

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Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, Bearwallow Branch, C&O Railroad, C.W. Campbell, Camp Branch, Charleston, coal, Dingess Run, Dingess-Rum Coal Company, Don Chafin, Ethel, Ethel Hollow, Freeze Fork, history, Huntington, James L. Caldwell, John Q. Dickinson, Logan County, Mash Branch, photos, Red Campbell, Rockcamp Branch, Rockhouse Branch, Wanda, West Virginia

In the 1890s, land speculators James L. Caldwell, a banker from Huntington, C.W. Campbell, an attorney from Huntington, and John Q. Dickinson, a banker from Charleston, acquired many acres of land on Dingess Run and Rum Creek. The trio procured some of Logan County’s finest coal lands with six accessible seams of coal. They formed the Dingess-Rum Coal Company in June of 1903 to administer their lands, which totaled over 26,000 acres. They surveyed a railroad bed up Dingess Run and laid the cross-ties, leaving only the rails to be laid by the C&O Railroad, which occurred by late 1906. From there, the railroad extended up Right Fork and Left Fork (Ethel Hollow). At the juncture of the two forks, the company town of Ethel, named for the daughter or wife of an early coal operator, was established around 1907. In 1923, the town was populated by 2000 residents.

Ethel was originally located at the mouth of Left Fork (now Ethel Hollow) of Dingess Run. Today, Ethel includes Camp Branch, Freeze Fork (town and stream), Rockcamp Branch, Rockhouse Branch (now Georges Creek), Mash Branch (formerly Wanda), and Bearwallow Branch (formerly Red Campbell). It is situated at the base of Blair Mountain.

IMG_8779

Ethel Coal Company Supply Building, constructed about 1914 by Italian stonemasons. The building served as a staging area for Don Chafin’s defensive forces in the Battle of Blair Mountain. 1 March 2020

IMG_8786

Remnants of Ethel No. 1 Company Store, built between 1907 and 1916. 1 March 2020

Armed March Trial (1923): Convicted Man Flees to Mexico

08 Saturday Feb 2020

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Battle of Blair Mountain, Coal

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Appalachia, Battle of Blair Mountain, Blair Mountain, C.W. Conrad, Charles Town, Charleston, circuit clerk, crime, deputy sheriff, Don Chafin, H.E. Keadle, history, Jefferson County, Logan Banner, Logan County, Mexico City, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, sheriff, U.G. Young, United Mine Workers of America, Walter Allen, West Virginia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about the “Armed March” at Blair Mountain, dated February 2, 1923:

Allen Is Traced By Deputy E. Keadle To Mexico City

Walter Allen, convicted of treason at Charlestown on September 15, and sentenced to ten years in the state penitentiary and who was released on bond of $15,000 with U.G. Young of Charleston as surety and who jumped his bond and fled from the state recently has been traced by Logan officers to Mexico City.

A capias was received here on December 20 for Allen, the capias being issued to C.W. Conrad, clerk of the circuit court of Jefferson County, when Allen failed to appear there on the date set. Deputy H.E. Keadle took the capias to Charleston and called at headquarters of the United Mine Workers, and attorneys for that organization professed their ignorance of his whereabouts and stated they would do all within their power to apprehend the fugitive.

However it was ascertained that Allen had been in Oklahoma City, Okla., and the officers there were requested by wire to arrest the fugitive but he had fled the city when they searched for him. Deputy Keadle then continued the search and the latest information received at the sheriff’s office here states that Allen is now known to be in Mexico City, Mexico.

Allen was convicted for his participation in the armed march of Logan in August and September, 1921. According to the evidence in the trial which lasted five weeks, he handled the finances and otherwise assumed direction of the armed march which was stopped at the border of Logan County where a battle between the invaders and the state forces raged over a battle line extending for 25 miles.

After his conviction his attorneys noted an appeal and stated the case would be carried to the supreme court. The time granted Allen for his appeal expired December 13, but the time expired without any record of an appeal being noted. When Allen failed to appear at Charlestown to begin his sentence a capias was issued for him and sent to Sheriff Chafin for execution and the hunt for the fugitive then began.

Due to the red tape connected with extradition proceedings, it is not yet known what steps will be taken by Logan authorities toward extraditing the fugitive.

***

For more information about Mr. Allen, go here: https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/205

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