McDOWELL NEWS, 1904 Bluefield Daily Telegraph Bluefield Daily Telegraph September 13, 1904 HURLED A LIGHTED LAMP AT MAN Two Men and a Woman Fearfully Burned at Wilcoe Saturday Night There were lively times at Wilcoe,, one of the operations of the United States Coal and Coke Company, seven miles up 'Tug River from Welch, Saturday night. A number of Hungarians gathered at the home of one of their countrymen to enter upon their weekly spree, which normally lasts until Sunday night late at which time a good feeling among the participants is normally prevelant. But it was not so on this occasion. It was about 11 or 12 o'clock when people in the neighborhood were awakened from their slumbers by the most unearthly cries and rushing to their windows were horrified to see two human beings totally wrapped in flames running from the dwelling in which the Hungarians were. Officers Powell and Cline were nearby and they, with others, rushed to the assistance of those in distress and tore the clothing from the two men, whose garments had already been partly burned from their bodies. After extinguishing the flames, they entered the building and found that a Hungarian woman had also suffered from the flames and that her husband, who was responsible for it all, had badly burned his hands in saving his wife. An investigation of the terrible affair was begun at once and the officers learned that one of the Hungarians, Mike Vargo, had become enraged at two of his companions and not finding another weapon handy had grabbed a burning lamp and hurled it at the objects of his anger, [who] were brothers, Steve and Frank Tokatch. The lamp struck one of the men squarely on the top of his head, the force of which caused the explosion of the lamp. Oil flew over the entire bodies of the brothers as well as that of the wife of the man who threw it, and the fire followed. The two men were talem tp Welch Sunday and are being treated at the Miners' Hospital. The one who received the blow from the lamp was burned to a blister from his waist to the top of his head and is in very critical condition. The other was burned badly in the chest and both arms, but was able to walk. Vargo was arrested by the officers and is now confined in Welch jail awaiting the outcome of the injuries of the victim. At the same operation and just after the excitement created by the above affair had subsided, the officers were approached by a white man who had a tale of woe to recite. He stated that a negro woman whom he described as having one eye had robbed him of $110 in gold, five twenties and one ten piece. The officers could find no trace of the woman. ************************************************************* BLUEFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH COALFIELD DEPARTMENT COMMUNITIES' NEWS OCTOBER 8, 1904 WORTH · P. J. Butt, who had been engaged in painting the new commissary building of the Roanoke Company, left for his home in Montgomery County, Va. this morning, where he will remain until he recovers from a broken arm which he sustained last Saturday. Mr. Butt, with two friends, was near the commissary of the Arlington Company. Several colored men became engaged in a free-for-all fight and the three white men were on-lookers. During the difficulty it is reported there was a regular stampede of the colored participants and Mr. Butt was run over and knocked unconscious and does not know how his arm was broken. His two friends were also injured, one of them hit in the face with a rock, and the other endured a badly bruised hand. · Mr. and Mrs. Roy Zack attended the opera Miss Bob White at Bluefield Wedneday night. · Dr. Stone returned home from a three-day sojourn at Hot Springs, where he was treated for rheumatism. He was much improved from his stay there. · W. F. Belcher, C. W. Ellison, F. C. Mitchell, O. P. Tabor, and W. M. Belton were business visitors at Clark's Gap yesterday evening. WANTED: ---10 or 12 year old girl to work for family Apply to 395 Tyler Street (Bluefield.) ZENITH · A. D. Milam has returned from Baltimore where he had been for several weeks having his eyes, which have been afflicted for some time, treated. He was greatly benefited. · Practically all the arrangements preparatory to closing down the drifts have been made. The mines are now being heavily timbered in order to keep them in good condition and from caving in. · A large number of the company's homes have been leased to employees of the Roanoke Company. · T. D. Dooley, formerly with the Sagamore Company, has accepted the position of bank foreman with the Zenith Company. · Dr. and Mrs. Alexander Irvine ('s) son recently accepted the position of superintendent of the Spring Coal and Mining Company. -------------------------------------------------------- Bluefield Daily Telegraph October 8, 1904 LEE YATES INSTANTLY KILLED IN THE COZIER MINES AT ELKHORN Lee Yates was instantly killed in the mines of the Crozier Company at Elkhorn Tursday. Mr. Yates did not work regularly in the mines., but owing to the absence of one of the drivers he was filling the vacancy and not being familiar with the work, he lent to one side too far and his head struck a rib rceiving the fatal injuries. Mr. Yates was a native of McDowell County and had lived on the mountain where he met his death for a number of years. He is survived by his wife and six children, the oldest of whom was not over twelve years of age. ************************************************ Bluefield Daily Telegraph October 8, 1904 SMALL CUT ON HAND CAUSES DEATH OF WILLIAM WILLIAMS William Williams of Keystone died late yesterday afternoon from blood poison which was the result of injuries received a week ago while engaged in a difficulty. He leaves a wife and two or three children. A number of arrests will, doubtless, be made as a result of Mr. Williams' death as it was a free-for -all fight and several were engaged. From what we can learn, there is very little evidence to fasten the guilt upon the party that inflicted the wound which caused the tragic death. Submitted by June White McDOWELL NEWS, 1904, from Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, West Virginia ****************************************************** May 25, 1904 Bluefield Daily Telegraph MURDERERS CAPTURED BY COLORED DEPUTY John Johnson and John Rodgers Accused of Killing Lawrence Pond The Daily Telegraph last evening received the following from its Keystone correspondent: "Deputy Sheriff Joe Parsons, colored, has captured John Johnson and John Rodgers, who are said to have shot and killed Lawrence Pool, on Saturday night, at a dance given at Empire, at Charles Johnston's place, known as "Dangerous Hill." These parties were captured by the deputy Sunday evening, after and exciting chase through the mountains, being finally rounded up in a shanty, and their surrender demanded by Parsons and his posse. Both Johnson and Rodgers are bad men and Johnson has been engaged in several shooting scrapes. He is the man who, with Erin Leftwich, killed Policeman Milam, for which crime he served a term in the penitentiary. Rodgers has not made quite such a record, but he always carries his trusty Winchester and he had it at the dance Saturday night and shot it until the barrel got red hot. "Parsons has succeeded in arresting many fugitives from justice, a number of murderers among them,since his appointment as deputy sheriff and has made an excellent officer. There are several others who are indicated in the murder of Lawrence Pool, and Parsons hopes to bring them all to justice before many moons. "Johnson and Rodgers were brought to Keystone and tried before J. F. Thomas, mayor of that town and ex officio justice of the peace. They were held without bond for indictment by the grand jury." Bluefield Daily Telegra NORTH FORK COMMUNITY NOTES · There was a called meeting of the citizens of North Fork this week for the purpose of nominating candidates for the various town offices to be voted for at the municipal elections on the 5th day of January. The following were the candidates nominated: For mayor, L. G. Toney; for Recorder, Grat Gillespie; Councilmen: C. S. Angel, D. M. Jenkin, C. W. Wade, C. W. Elliott and R. R. Roberts. · There was a meeting of stockholders of the C. W. Elliot Company held in the office of the company yesterday afternoon, and the following officers elected for the ensuing year: C. W. Elliot, president and general manager; C. S. Angel, vice president; J. B. Harris, secretary and treasurer. Board of directors: C. S. Angel, L. G. Toney, H. L. Dillard, J. B. Harris and C. W. Elliott. **************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph March 27, 1904 Mayor J. Ferd Thomas, whose illness has been reported several times, is much improved and will soon be able to look after his interests. There are seventy-four prisoners in the McDowell County jail at Welch. Among them is Joe Davis and the crime with which he is charged would indicate that he is of the blackest dye. He was an employee of the Zenith Coal and Coke Company on th North Fork Branch driving a mule, and because the brute did not understand his expressed orders, he attacked it with a pick, which caused its death. This was most uncalled for and should be punished to the full extent of the law. *************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph, McDowell Co. WV May 25, 1904 from Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, West Virgini MURDERERS CAPTURED BY COLORED DEPUTY John Johnson and John Rodgers Accused of Killing Lawrence Pond The Daily Telegraph last evening received the following from its Keystone correspondent: "Deputy Sheriff Joe Parsons, colored, has captured John Johnson and John Rodgers, who are said to have shot and killed Lawrence Pool, on Saturday night, at a dance given at Empire, at Charles Johnston's place, known as "Dangerous Hill." These parties were captured by the deputy Sunday evening, after and exciting chase through the mountains, being finally rounded up in a shanty, and their surrender demanded by Parsons and his posse. Both Johnson and Rodgers are bad men and Johnson has been engaged in several shooting scrapes. He is the man who, with Erin Leftwich, killed Policeman Milam, for which crime he served a term in the penitentiary. Rodgers has not made quite such a record, but he always carries his trusty Winchester and he had it at the dance Saturday night and shot it until the barrel got red hot. "Parsons has succeeded in arresting many fugitives from justice, a number of murderers among them, since his appointment as deputy sheriff and has made an excellent officer. There are several others who are indicated in the murder of Lawrence Pool, and Parsons hopes to bring them all to justice before many moons. "Johnson and Rodgers were brought to Keystone and tried before J. F. Thomas, mayor of that town and ex officio justice of the peace. They were held without bond for indictment by the grand jury." McDOWELL NEWS, 1904, Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 13, 1904 COMMUNITY NEWS: WELCH * Miss Ethel Smith, of Peterstown, but who has been visiting her sister Mrs. E. V. Weaver at Ashland for some time, passed through Welch Sunday en route to Wilcoe, where she will visit another sister, Mrs. J. T. Eddins. * The excavating for the new dwelling to be erected by J. F. Johnson, Jr., just east of the Presbyterian church on Water Avenue, has begun. The building will be of frame, two-stories, and is estimated to cost about $4,000. A. M. Millard of Tazewell is the contractor. * B. Hampton Gray, manager of W. W. Walton's grocery store, was visiting friends at Cooper yesterday. * J. C. Wilcox the jeweler was transacting business at Keystone and North Fork Monday. * R. B. Hendricks who resides about two miles up Tug River from Welch was thrown from a mule Monday afternoon and right seriously but not not dangerously injured. He was badly bruised through the shoulder and his head struck a rock. He will be able to out in a few days. * Chief of Police A. C. Day has returned from Buchanan Co., VA, where he spent several days on business. * M. Totz & Son are packing up their large stock of goods here and will move them to Burke to be added to their stock there. H. Totz of Burke is there assisting the work. * J. T. Cooper, formerly of Iaeger, has opened a jewelry store in our town. * The large store building of Masil & Cohn is being treated to a new tin cover. David Fair of Keystone is doing the work. * Great preparations are being made by the ladies of the Methodist church for a bazaar to be given in a few days for the benefit of that church. * Revs. E. C. Evans of Bradshaw and Floyd Morgan of Hanover preached interesting sermons to large congregations here last Saturday and Sunday. * Dock Beavers is confined to his room on account of a badly inflamed arm. A few days ago a little pimple made it appearance upon that member, which he scratched, causing inflammation to set in. *********************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 14, 1904 BELCHER TOWN * The Missionary Baptists have purchased a lot in Belcher Town, between Keystone and Burke, and will at once commence the construction of a handosme church edifice upon it. Our people contributed very generously toware the necessary amount, which will go into the building fund. ************************************* Bluefield Daily Telegram July 14, 1904 KEYSTONE * The Bluefield Brewing Company is erecting a storage room in the rear of the depot. The building is about complete. * J. J. Kitchen and wife of Davy were visiting in own town yesterday. Mr. Kitchen is thinking of locating here and conducting a first-class restaurant. * The Union Sunday school had its annual picnic here yesterday. A large crowd attended and a most enjoyable time was had by all. *************************************** Bluefield Daly Telegraph July 14, 1904 VIVIAN * The Tidewater Coal and Coke Company closed their mines several days ago for the purpose of making a number of improvements which will greatly increase the capacity of their output. A new steam tipple is being erected which will enable the company to dump half as many more cars as they could at their old tipple. The company has formerly been able to dump from 300 to 375 cars a day, and after the new tiple is completed the capacity will be about 500. Many changes are also being made in the tracks, etc. in the mines. The company expects to become operational by next Monday. * The Peerless Company is erecting a steam nut bin in connection with their tipple. ****************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 15, 1904 POWATAN COLORED MINER KILLED BY FALLING SLATE * Ramp Deen, colored, was killed in the mines at Powatan by falling slate, his body being fearfully crushed. The remains were taken to his old home at Emmons, in Bedford County, for interment. Deen was 22 years of age and had only been working in the mines a short time. Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 15, 1904 SIMMONS * Joe Bennett, aged 14, who has been employed as flagman in the mines of the Buckeye Company was right seriously injured yesterday while in the discharge of his duties. He was mashed through the hips. *************************************************8 Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 15, 1904 WELCH * Addie Nickelson was given a hearing to police court Tuesday upon the charge of conducting a home of ill fame. She drew a $175.00 fine and nine months in jail. The case was prosecuted by City Attorney W. F. Morris. The defendant gave notice of appeal and was released on bail. ****************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 16, 1904 KEYSTONE JEALOUS WOMAN SHOOTS HER LOVER Wound Not Serious--Also Fired at Rival Without Effect * It is reported from Keystone that on Thursday night Rosa Riffe, who conducts a house of ill fame in that town shot one Sam Whittaker through the leg inflicting a very painful wound. It appears that the man came to Keystone recently with the carnival that exhibited there and that he became so fascinated with the little city that he decided to remain. He had been, it is said, a freequenter of the house which the Riffe woman runs, and the woman had become very attached to little "Sammy." Thursday night she suspicioned that an inmate of her house generally known as "Trixy" was winningthe affections of her man and she started on the hunt for the two. When she started on the war path she was on second floor. Going down the stairway she met "Trixy" and emptied two chambers of her revolver at the woman without effect. She then continued to hunt for her false man and found him in in the back yard. Just as she fired at him the man jumped upon a sack of chop or else the bullet would have lodged in his body. When our informant left Keystone yesterday the woman had not been given a hearing but it was the opinion that neither "Trixy" or "Sammy" would appear against her and she would only be fined for unlawful shooting. ****************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 17, 1904 HALLSVILLE * Miss Minnie Tate of Welch our schoolteacher gave us a little visit and cheered us up by her hearty hand shakes and illuminating smiles which reminds me of her successful career as a school teacher in this place. * Messrs. E. W. Tate and D. B. Walls, have recently purchased the patent right for the Cyclone Churning Machine from J. L. Kirkpatrick, who has the execlusive patent right. They get the territory of Wyoming County, where they expect to relieve many a tired mother from the old drudge way of churning and make work a pleasure. ************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 19, 1904 KEYSTONE * Yesterday Detective Eugene Ribinson arrested John Johnson who has several aliases and found eight pair of new shoes in Johnson's possession. They were ladies shoes and bore the factory number 20934. It is thought that the shoes were stolen. WILCOE * G. C. Castle has accepted the position of mine foreman at No. 1 to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of J. D. Dillon. * B. Hyman, of the firm of Hyman & Son, spent Sunday with his home folks in Keystone. HALLSVILLE Charlie Crockett of Davy got off of No. 3 at Hallsville Friday night and while walking along the track en route to the hotel was mislead by a space between the main line and the siding and fell through the trestle. He heead was seriously cut and his hip dislocated. He is not expected to recover. ************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 20, 1904 COMMUNITY NEWS WELCH * Criminal court convened here Monday Judge L. L. Chambers presiding. . .The dispensing of justice will commence in earnest next Monday. There are now seven cases of murder that are to given a hearing either before the grand jury or the petit jury. Lonnie Sexton, white; Robert Shay, John Rogers, and John Johnson, colored, accused of murder, will have their cases investigated by the grand jury and it is hardly probably that if a true bill is found they will be tried at this term. William Jones, alias himself, colored will be tried for murder committed at Sand Lick and William Gilreath, colored, for the murder of his wife at Landgraff last Christmas, while on his Christmas spree. It appears that the offenseof Sexton, Shay and Gilreth are especially aggravating. * There are now fifty-four prisoners confined to the county jail here of whom one dozen are women, eleven colored and one white. WILCOE * Fred Bowens, colored, who works at Wilcoe, was having lots of fun firing his pistol near the baseball grounds last Saturday evening until Deputy Sheriff John H. Waldron happened along en route to the baseball game. Upon seeing the officer, Bowens started in a run toward his house and although the officer was horseback he succeeded in getting about three miles before he was overtaken. There he showed fight, but was quickly subdued, when he gave him one good blow over the head. His firearms were taken from him and he was carried back to Welch on the horse behind Mr. Waldron. It was decided in the justice's court that a $50.00 fine and sixty days in jail would prove beneficial. ********************************************* Bluefield Daily Telegraph, McDowell Co. WV July 21, 1904 MINERS' HOSPITAL LASTING MONUMENT TO FOUNDERS Good Work Being Done at This Institution is Beyond Calculation Few people realize the good that is being accomplished for suffering humanity by the Miners' Hospital at Welch. Seldom is there a day passes but what someone is brought there suffering from some serious injuries received accidentally while in the discharge of their various occupations, and a majority of them would have to depend on the liberality of the world for the support while ill, were it not for this institution, and the men responsible for the establishment of these hospitals throughout the state cannot be praised too highly. There are now twenty-seven patients being treated at the hospital. Eight have been discharged tis month and two have died from gun shot wounds. Those admitted recently are: an Italian from near Naugatook, who had such a badly mashed foot that ampputation was necessary. He is improving rapidly. John Holland, of the Ashland Company, was admitted suffering with a simple fracture of the left leg, below the knee. Thomas Prunty was received from Hemphill, where he was emplooyed by the railroad contractors, with a badly lacerated leg from knee to the foot. Jack Kasoakie was caught biy falling slate at Algoma on July `10, and suffered a frantured pelvis. Bruce Riggs of the Bottom Creek was admitted suffering with burns upon head face and hands caused by powder explosion. Will Hughes of the Empire Company was admitted July 15 with badly lacerated hands due to falling slate. Andrew Roach was admitted July 12 and operated upon for ademitis. William Holden of Bramwell is suffering from a fractured skull which injury was inflicted by being struck with a club. He is getting along nicely. Robert Harless, aged about 15 years and Jim Spiceer were coming out of the mines at Thacker Monday when slate fell on them. The Harless boy was caught and his foot thrown out of place and his arm badly bruised. Spicer escaped injury. The boy was brought to the hospital Tuesday. A Hungarian was caught by slate in the mines of the Booth-Bowen Company at Simmons Monday, and badly injured internally. He was brought to the hospital Tuesday. There are now four pay patients at the hospital. ************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 21, 1904 ELKHORN * It was reported last night that J. C. Edwards, local agent for the Southern Express Company, had resigned his position. C. H. Frampton, cashier for the same company, is also said to have resigned. It is understood that George Pyles, the Company's agent at Elkhorn, will be made agent here to succeed Mr. Edwards and Mr. Vawter, who is agent at Maybeury, will succeed Mr. Frampton as Cashier for the Bluefield office. SIMMONS * The Goodwill Brass Band has recently added several new pieces making a total of seventeen. The people have spared no pains or expense to make this one of the best bands in this part of the state and to hear it shows how well they have succeeded. ****************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 21, 1904 TWO LEVELS OF SOCIETY IN MCDOWELL IN 1904 Two McDowell Counties existed in 1904. From North Fork to the Mercer border, lived McDowell's high society, which was one of wealth and social privilege accorded to mine owners and operators. Generally speaking, the rest of McDowell had little social contact with this faction of McDowell's socially elite. The following article covering a high society reception demonstrates very well the vast distances between two groups of McDowell's society: " A very delightful reception was given Tuesday evening by Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Epling, complimentary to their visitors the Misses Rogers of Knoxville, Tenn. The home was very artistically decorated with masses of thododendron, red carnations and palms. The punch booth was a bower of beauty behind electrical illuminations and floral arches. Music was furnished by a string band (violins, etc.), which played throughout the entire evening. The colors of red and green were carried throughout the different courses of salad and ices. The entertainment of the evening was very unique. Mrs. Barry Charlton of Bluefield won the first prize in the menagerie contest. T. W. Chambers of eckman secured the booby. [One] contest consisted of very clever and original toasts, composed about the different ones present. Miss Blanche Miller won the prize which was a beautiful set of cut wine glasses. Each guest secured a souvenir book of the toasts.. ." ************************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 21, 1904 Community News: KEYSTONE * Among the young men who weere granted licenses at the recent meeting of the State Board of Law Examiners of Tennessee, at Lebanon, Tenn., was Attorney Ira P. Partlow, who has been associated with D. E. French of our town for some time. * Rabbi O. Zackhiel, of Peoria, Ill., has accepted the call to take charge of the B'nai Israel Congregation. He is an eloquent speakeer and earnest worker, and will organize Sunday School here. * A. C. Thomas is at Pulaski, Va., visiting relatives and looking after his farming interests. * The Kendrick Mercantile Company has been purchased by a stock company, of which W. H. Thomas is president. This is one of the largest mercantile establishments in the coal field. * The residence of Prof. T. H. R. Christie was the scene of a pretty wedding yesterday afternoon. Miss Ethel Hunt, daughter of Squire T. F. Hunt and sister of Mrs. Christie, and Mr. Whitfield Chilton were the contracting parties, and the ceremony was performed by Rev. D. R. Moss of the Christian Church. ***************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 22, 1904 ZENITH Thursday night as J. R. Hill and family were returning to their home from here after atending a meetin of the Rebekahs, someone threw two large rocks at them from the darkness, one of which came near hitting the little child Mr. Hill was carrying in his arms. Suspicion rests upon certain parties, and it is hoped the guilt will be fastened upon the offender and that he will receive the full extent of the law. * A. D. Milam has returned from Welch where he served as a grand juror this term of criminal court. BULLETS WENT WILD No One Was Injured, But Two Men Are Held for the Grand Jury Wednesday afternoon at Zenith, Philmore Harrison and Harvey Davis engaged in a shooting match with Will Hunt, alias "Red Rachel", all colored. A number of shots were exchanged but no one was injured. Harrison and Davis were arrested by Officer J. B. Hill and given a hearing before W. F. Belcher, acting mayor in the absence of Mayor Holison, and sent to the grand jury. The last seen of Hunt he was escaping from the shots of the other men to the woods. A few hours previous to the engagement a quarrel had taken place between the men. Hunt went to his home securing a revolver and was returning to the house where Davis and Harrison reside when the two men saw him approaching and began firing, forcing him to seek shelter behind a log where he returned the fire until he decided upon a retreat which he heartily made. McDOWELL * An old-fashioned camp meeting will be begun here today by the colored people. Rev. W. F. Chapman of the Southern Baptist Church and members of his congregation will conduct the meeting. The services will be conducted in the same manner as those years ago, that we hear spoken of but seldom witness. A grand time is expected. WORTH * Mrs. J. D. Jenkin and daughter of North Fork were visiting at the home of Captain Botsford Thursday. * W. B. Cowell, for a long time general manager of the Roanoke Company, now of New York City, returned to his home Thursday after a weeks' visit with old frineds here. ******************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 24, 1904 FOUR PLEA GUILTY AND GO TO THE PEN The criminal court for McDowell County adjourned Thursday afternoon until Monday morning, at which time the trial of cases will be commenced. The following persons entered pleas of guilty in felony cases and [were] sentenced to the penitentiary: Lem Sanders, 5 years; W. J. Blevins, 2 years; Eugene Leftwich, 3 years; Tom Williams, 2 years. ************************************************* Bluefield Daily Telegraph, McDowell Co. WV July 24, 1904 FOUR PLEA GUILTY AND GO TO THE PEN The criminal court for McDowell County adjourned Thursday afternoon until Monday morning, at which time the trial of cases will be commenced. The following persons entered pleas of guilty in felony cases and [were] sentenced to the penitentiary: Lem Sanders, 5 years; W. J. Blevins, 2 years; Eugene Leftwich, 3 years; Tom Williams, 2 years. · Mayor L. G. Toney paid Bluefield a visit Thursday evening. ************************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 24, 1904 MAYBEURY * J. S. Vawter, who has been depot agent here for sometime, has accepted the position of cashier for the express company in Bluefield. He went there yesterday to enter upon his new duties. Robert E. Mitchell, who has been operator here, succeeds Mr. Vawter as agent. * W. C. Hall, store manager for the Elkhorn Company, was a visitor to Bluefield Thursday. * Dr. Charles Spangler has returned from Charleston, where he attended a meeting of the State Medical Board. ********************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 28, 1904 KEYSTONE * In the criminal court at Welch Tuesday Frank Martin, colored, of Burke was given a sentence of ten days in jail and $55 fine for cruelty to animals. The specific charge against him was that of beating a horse unmercifully on the main streets of Burke. * J. J. Kitchen the popular restaurant man who has been in business at Davy, has moved to Keystone, occupying the Goldstein building near the bank, where he conducts a first-class restaurant. * Hester Haskins who shot a woman named Martha Sargant here about one year ago inflicting a serious wound, was given a hearing at Welch Tuesday and sentenced to three years in the penitentiary. After injuring the woman, he escaped and was not apprehended until last April when Deputy Parsons arrested him at Glen Jean. * Joe Booth, who has been seriously ill with typhoid, is reported as much improved. * J. K. F. Steele of the Keystone Coal and Coke Company is spending a few days in New York, on business matteers. * Samuel Hermanson left yesterday for Godfrey to look after his father's mercantile interests. His father, who has been there, will return here today. * H. L. Baldwin returned yesterday with a large drove of beef cattle he purchased in Tazewell County. * The remains of Nathan McDaniel, who died of typhoid fever in Burke yesterday, were shipped to Montgomery County, Va., on No. 18 yesterday for burial. * A new confectionery and produce business has been opened here with C. M. Thomas of East Radford and F. H. Burroughs of Bluefield, as proprietors. ************************************************ Bluefield Daily Telegraph August 31, 1904 CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS FOLLOWING PAY DAY One Man Shot Through Brain--Another Lost Both Feet and Another Seriously Injured Saturday was pay day with the majority of the coal companies throughout the coal field, and as a result of the debauchery usually indulged in on Saturday night and Sunday following by men who get their little units, there are three men in the Miners' Hospital in Welch. One will die from gunshot wounds, one is minus an arm, and the other half of one foot and part of another leg. A colored man by the name of Robert Rook was the first victim received at the hospital. From reports, which are meager, Rook and another colored man named Claytor became engaged in a difficulty, when the latter brought his firearms into play and shot Rook twice, one bullet taking effect just above the eye, penetrating the brain, which will cause his death. He was taken to the hospital at Welch Sunday, and after an examination, it was found that his condition would not permit an operation and the bullet still remains in his head. Claytor made good his escape to the mountains and at last reports had not been captured. The second victim was a Hungarian from near Naugatuck, who drank too freely and mistook the railway track for his downy bed. His chambers were peaceful and his dreams had, doubtless, carried him back to the scenes in his fatherland when he was struck by a freight train. His right arm and shoulder were so badly mangled that amputatation at the shoulder was necessary. He is getting along nicely and will recover. Third and last on the list was Walter Morris, a young colored man. Morris was an employee of the King Coal and Coke Company at Kimball but had previously worked at Eckmann and went there Saturday to draw his back pay. He could not get so close to Keystone without going there. After getting his tank filled and his senses benumbed he boarded No. 8 for Kimball. He was still able to remember that was not a scheduled stop for that train and decided to jump off rather than be carried by and just as the train approached the station he leaped and was dragged under the train. Both his feet were horribly crushed. He was taken to the hospital Sunday morning where his right foot was amputated about midway, and his left leg just above the ankle. He has good chances for recovering. ****************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph September 1, 1904 INJURED MAN TELLS STORY OF ROBBERY Fayette Irvins, formerly a Norfolk and Western brakeman and later employed as a driver by E. E. Carter, but who has been absent from this city for some time, slighted from passenger train No. 16 yesterday afternnon in a much battered condition. His nose appeared to be broken, his head was cut and badly bruised in several places and he was minus a hat. A crowd quickly gathered around him and to them he explained his appearance by saying that he had been set upon by three negroes. Irvine asserted that he was leaning over at spring near Bluestone Junction to take a drunk when three negroes suddenly appeared on the scene and that before he realized that they were going to attack him, one of them had knocked him in the head rendering him almost unconscious. The negroes he says then compelled him to give up his pocket book, which, he claims, contained $160.00 in cash. After securing his money they gave him a fearful beating, after which they made good their escape. He had no idea who the men were and could give only a very meager description of their appearance. The police are inclined to discredit Irvine's story, arguing that it is far from likely that he would have had so much as $160.00 in cash as he was not inclined to save his money and that he had nothing laid away in Bluefield a few week earlier. ************************************************* Bluefield Daily Telegraph September 1, 1904 KEYSTONE * C. S. Bridges, Norfolk and Western relief agent who is now at Panther, spent Sunday with his familly here. * Vivian Hash, manager of the firm of Hash, Gillespie & Co. in Burke, was looking after business in Kimball yesterday. * The town prisoners are being put to good use this week, cleaning away the accumulation of rubbish upon our streets. This adds much to the appearance of our little city, as well as protecting the health of our citizens. ************************************************* Bluefield Daily Telegraph Sep't. 9, 1904 KEYSTONE * Two prominent saloonists of Keystone engaged in a fist fight last Sunday evening on Bridge street. No injury resulted to either. The cause of the difficulty is said to be that each had been watching the other to prevent Sunday selling of intoxicating beverages. * A large number of Keystone merchants are off to the northern and eastern markets purchasing their fall and winter stock of clothing, among whom are M. Henry and E. O. Bernard. ******************************************* Bluefield Daily Telegraph Sep't. 10, 1904 * Clarence Walker has resigned his position as assistant in the postoffice at Freeman and is making arrangements to attend VPI at Blacksburg. Va. Claremce has many friends here who wish him success in his studies as well as all else he may undertake in the future. * Phillip Goodwill, superindendent of the Goodwill Company, and his two sons, Philiip and Blondin returned to their home heere yesterday after a visit to the World's Fair. * The public school at Coopers will begin next Monday, September 12, instead of the 19th as had been announced. Rev. C. T. George, who has been postmaster at Duhring, will be principal of the school. * An Italian was arrested here yesterday upon the charge of carrying concealed weapons and upon being searched a Deringer was found upon him. He was fined $25 and costs, which he refused to pay and his actions were such in court that he was fined $1 and given one hour in jail for contempt. He decided to pay the fines and costs which amounted to $30 after his jail sentence expired and was released. * Walter Thomas and W. M. Nowling were arrested late yesterday by Officer Fanning and charged with stealing a watch valued at 5.00 currency and a shirt from a roommate named N. B. Tweed. Earlier in the the morning the officer received a phone message describing the men [and] approached them as they were passing through town. Nowling confessed that he stole the watch but claimed to be ignorant of any knowledge of the other property. He also exonerates Thomas from being connected with the theft. They were locked up here until the afternnoon train when Special Officer W. B. McAllister came for them and they were taken to Godfrey for a he aring before Squire W. H. Hatler. *************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph Sept. 10, 1904 NORTH FORK * D. A. Stone left last night for Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he will spend a month or six weeks. He has been suffering from rheumatism. * There was a new arrival at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Bolen. It was a fine 13 pound boy. Mother and child are both doing well. ************************************************ Bluefield Daily Telegraph Sept. 13, 1904 KIMBALL * Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Updyke returned Sunday night from a business and pleasure trip to Atlantic City and New York. They stopped over Sunday with friends in Pocahontas. * C. S. Herndon and A. M. Shelton of Zenith stopped over here Sunday night with friends en route to the judicial convention in Welch. * Thomas Steelwell, a white miner in the employ of the Big Four Company, had his hand badly mashed yesterday. ************************************************* ************************************************* September 13, 1904 * Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Jamerson will leave Sunday for Knoxville, Tenn., where they will spend the holidays with the former's mother. ******************************************* Bluefield Daily Telegraph September 21, 1904 LANDGRAFF CRUSHED TO DEATH UNDER CAR WHEELS * John Olson, an employee on the coke yard at the Empire Coal and Coke Company at Langraff, was run over by a car on the yard Monday and sustained injuries which resulted in his death a few minutes afterwards. The car passed over his body in a diagonal course, ranging from his shoulder to the hip on the opposite side of the body. The remains were interred at Kimball yesterday. Mr. Olson was aged about 35 years, was unmarried and was well thought of. ************************************************* Bluefield Daily Telegraph September 21, 1904 WELCH JEERING THE CHAIN GANG IN WELCH Clarence Palmer and Jim Clark, colored, hailing from Tug River and Algoma, came to Welch Monday and partook of the fiery spirits to the extent of getting into a very jolly mood, when they approached the chain gang and began to make sport of the unfortunate men who were employed in the betterment of our streets in payment of the various offenses they had committed against the dignity of the town. Finally, they go to abusing the men and night officer, J. H. Waldron, arrested them for being drunk and disorderly. On the way to the jail they broke from the officer running in opposite directions. Mr. Waldron fired several shots at Palmer, the bullets going so close that he thought the best policy to surrender and he was again taken in charge. Clark's liberty was of longer duration. He crawled into a sewer pipe at the depot and it was some time before he emerged from the water and mud. Each was given ten days on the streets for their conduct. ********************************************* Bluefield Daily Telegraph September 21, 1904 * Chief of Police (Welch) Alex Day has gone to Cincinnati after Ernest Trent, charged with the murder of Joe Robinson at Antler last December and who was recently captured in that city. A detailed account of this murder was printed in the Telegraph a few days ago when Trent was captured. Trent, it will be remembered, was infatuated with Robinson's wife and waylaid him at the latter's home, committing the crime with a Winchester rifle. ******************************************************** BLUEFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH COALFIELD DEPARTMENT COMMUNITIES' NOTES NOVEMBER 11, 1904 ZENITH · A. M. Shelton is confined to his home with a threatened attack of typhoid. · Mr. Boyer, manager of the Bluefield Beverage Brewing Company, was here yesterday standing in the interests of his firm. · G. W. Belcher is the guest of relatives living in Big Four. · Engineer John McCarthy of the Norfolk and Western passenger train is visiting Bluefield. · Mr. Waynick, the popular agent of the Finlay Brewing Company was here Monday looking after the trade. · Henry Wood has resigned his position as mine foreman for the Ashland Coal and Coke Company. · Mrs. Matthews Cooper of Arlington was the guest of Zenith friends yesterday. · C. H. Herndon formerly bookkeeper and manager for of the Zenith Company will enter upon his new work November 15th. [He] is now taking a medical course at the State University. · J. N. Blaylock, electrician for the Zenith Company, now occupies the new dwelling contracted for his use. · Mrs. J. T. Garrison is visiting relatives and friends in Williamson. She is accompanied by her brother, G. C. Ferrell of Bluefield. · A. J. Reed, formerly of the Zenith Pharmacy, has gone to Clark's Gap, where he will engage in the mercantile business. · S. S. Coffman, Superintendent of the Zenith Company, is visiting the World's Fair. He was accompanied as far as Welch by Mrs. Coffman, who visited Mrs. R. L. Hutson for a few days. · James Craft has accepted a position in the commissary of the Ashland Coal and Coke Company. · T. C. Dooley, mine foreman here, was at Widemouth Wednesday completing arrangements to move his family to this place. · WORTH · Mr. Foley and family have returned from a visit to the World's Fair (St. Louis). · We are sorry to chronicle the serious illnes of Mrs. J. A. Gaines. At last reports, she was improving. · Mr. Gordon, the popular buyer and store manager of the Roanoke Coal and Coke Company was in North Fork and Keystone yesterday attending to business matters. · E. W. Cornell has returned from a visit to the fair at St. Louis. NORTH FORK · C. S. Angel has gone to Pearisburg, Va., on business. · Several car loads of Irish potatoes have been received by the merchants of this place this week. · Everything passed off quietly election day. No disturbances of any kind reported. · The North Fork Wholesale Produce Company have commenced business and the outlook is bright for a good business. · W. H. Stokes of Welch and Col. L. E. Tierney of Powahatan were in town yesterday. · There will be a "hop" at Hotel North Fork Friday night. · Charles Dore, a prominent merchant of Lambert, was a business visitor to own town Wednesday. Frank Barnes, esq., was down from Elkhorn today. · T. P. Mason, formerly of North Fork, but who has been at his home in Franklin County, Va., for several months, has returned and will engage in the jewelry business again in North Fork. · Dectective Eugene Robertson arrested four freight train riders between this place and Keystone yesterday. They gave their names as John Cook, Will Willie, Wm. Smith, and John Smith. All are white and hailing from old Kentucky. In making the arrests, Detective Robertson noticed one of the crowd trying to draw a gun, but the detective was too quick and got the drop on his man. The gun taken away from him was found to be one of largest ever seen in these parts. · Belle Lewis, a colored woman, was arrested at Burks Wednesday afternoon upon the charges of assulting another colored woman with a deadly weapon, inflicting serious wounds upon her head, amd brought in to North Fork and placed in the city jail to await trial berore Sqire Belcher yesterday. Some time during the night, however, some one broke the lock and released her, and late yesterday afternoon she hd not been recaptured. · W. C. Easley, general manager of the Roanoke Company, left Tuesday for an extended visit to the World's Fair and other western points of interest. ********************************************** Bluefield Daily Telegraph November 20, 1904 WILLIAM LANG SHOT TO DEATH IN ALABAMA NOTE: William Lang was the General Manager of SWVA Improvement Company,the first colliery to tap into the Pocahontas Seam at Pocahontas, VA. The VA Improvement Company, headed by Logan M. Bullitt of Philadelphia, PA, later formed a marketing firm to sell coal from the Pocahontas seam--including that in McDowell-- nationally and internationally. One significance of this article is that it seems to hint at a national core out of PA that controlled not only the coal in WV and VA but also in other states as well. Evidently, it moved its administration around from one area or state to another according to decisions not made on a local basis--nor perhaps on a personal basis. Given the time period in American history, it's possible that SWVA Improvement Company was part of a national coal trust. It was an age of big businesses, trusts and corruption that President Theodore Roosevelt especially fought to break when he was elected in 1904. A message from Bloton, Alabama, states that William Lang, Supeintendent of the coal mines of Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railway Company, at that place, who was shot from ambush on the night of November 12, succumbed to his wounds Wednesday. Mr. Lang was well known in the coalfields and especially at Pocahontas at which place he was superindendent of the Collieries Company for a number of years, suceeding (sic) C. E. F. Burnley. He went to that town in 1893 and remained until 1897 , when he accepted the position of superintendent of the Piney Creek Coal Company in Raleigh County. Two years later he took charge of the Logan Consolidated Coal Company at Matewan, where he remained about one year and then went to Alabama. The deceased was the son of Robert Lang, who at one time was president of the Hill Farm Colliery in the Connellsville field but who is now with the Frick Company. ********************************************* BLUEFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH DEC 16, 1904, McDOWELL EXCERPTS McDOWELL * A dwelling belonging to the Arlington Coal and Coke Company and occupied by a colored man named John Timlick and family was destroyed by fire shortly after midnight Wednesday. The destruction of the home and all its contents was complete. It is understood that insurance was carried on the building. The amount was about $1000. * Deputy Sheriff R. L Morris returned yesterday from a hunting expedition in Virginia. * H. P. Wilson of the Arlington Company but who has been assisting in the office of the Glen Alum Company for a few days has returned. * W. Fulp, the stone mason of the McDowell Company who was seriously injured the first of last month by being struck by a piece of slate thrown by a blast and who has been under treatment at the miners' hospital at Welch, was dismissed from that institution a few days ago and will be able to resume his work in a few days. FOR SALE 100 BUSINESS LOTS At the Right Places ALONG LINE OF IAEGER SOUTHERN RAILWAY, that is now building the Dry Fork in McDowell County, opening up the greatest coal field in the Flat Top Regions. Call or write W. T. Hufford, Wittens Mills, Va. Bluefield Daily Telegraph, McDowell Co. WV ********************************************************* BLUEFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH DEC 16, 1904, McDOWELL EXCERPTS McDOWELL · A dwelling belonging to the Arlington Coal and Coke Company and occupied by a colored man named John Timlick and family was destroyed by fire shortly after midnight Wednesday. The destruction of the home and all its contents was complete. It is understood that insurance was carried on the building. The amount was about $1000. · Deputy Sheriff R. L Morris returned yesterday from a hunting expedition in Virginia. · H. P. Wilson of the Arlington Company but who has been assisting in the office of the Glen Alum Company for a few days has returned. · W. Fulp, the stone mason of the McDowell Company who was seriously injured the first of last month by being struck by a piece of slate thrown by a blast and who has been under treatment at the miners' hospital at Welch, was dismissed from that institution a few days ago and will be able to resume his work in a few days. FOR SALE 100 BUSINESS LOTS At the Right Places ALONG LINE OF IAEGER SOUTHERN RAILWAY, that is now building the Dry Fork in McDowell County, opening up the greatest coal field in the Flat Top Regions. Call or write W. T. Hufford, Wittens Mills, Va. · Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Jamerson will leave Sunday for Knoxville, Tenn., where they will spend the holidays with the former's mother. ************************************************************* Bluefield Daily Telegraph December 16, 1904 KEYSTONE COMMUNITY NOTES · T. S. Campbell of Landgraff was here Wednesday on account of the death of his cousin, Dr. R. D. Sanders. · Dr. Steele has been confined to his room for several days on account of illness. · Hyman Bank has returned to Athens, where he is attending the normal school after several days' visit with his father, W. Bank. Bluefield Daily Telegraph December 16, 1904 WORTH COMMUNITY NEWS · Mrs. Gordon and son of Virginia arrived here a few days ago and will make their home with F. G. Gordon, son of Mrs. Gordon, who is buyer for the Roanoke Coal and Coke Company. · Dr. Stone attended the banquet given by the medical society of McDowell County at Hotel North Fork Wednesday night. The Indian Ridge Coal and Coke Company will put to blast their two blocks, numbering 200 of coke ovens January 1. One hundred of these ovens were just recently completed at great cost and have never been in blast. · Rev. Jay Cook, the widely known Baptist minister, will fill the pulpit in the Methodist Church next Sunday. All are cordially invited to attend the services. ------------------------------------- USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, nor for commercial presentation by any other organization. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express written permission from the author, or the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist.