COUNTY WILL PROTECT.
County Judge Instructs Sheriff to Appoint Deputies to Protect Mines.
Go on Duty Tomorrow and Will be Paid By the County.
Steps were taken yesterday to put the power of Hopkins county into action for the protection of the many valuable mining properties in the county and the lives of the 2,000 employed miners from threatened violence at the hands of union men from other fields. Based upon information of threats of violence in the hands of officials of the county and upon the affidavits of the coal operators of the county, the County Judge took action yesterday. Under the law he has no alternative when property owners show cause and demand protection.
Judge Hall has issued orders to Sheriff Hankins to summon and appoint a large force of discreet men to be armed with guns and assigned to each of the coal mining properties in the county in sufficient force for protection of workmen and property from threatened violence.
The authorities are taking every precaution to preserve order and protect life and property in the county, and the preparations being made will be sufficient to control any number of men who may come from other counties and states to attend the mine workers’ barbecue at Madisonville on Saturday and take part in any attempt to use force against miners or mine property that is said to be threatened.
The law provides that no less than two nor more than ten men shall be assigned to each separate piece of property. The deputies are to go on duty Friday and remain, it is understood until the county authorities are satisfied all danger of trouble is past. The deputies will be summoned today and will be paid by the county. The coal operators could have asked this protection several months ago, but have chosen until now to bear their own burdens.