Show LEAD WHISTLED Major Simons States the Facts in the Case Pocahontas Ya May Uhe following follow-ing written statement has been given to the Associated Press representative at Pocahontas by Major Simons commander of the Virginia troops in reply to Governor Govern-or McCorkles statement In reference to the statement of Governor Gov-ernor McCorkle that great injustice had lcCrltle been done the West Virginia miners pi charging them with firing on our pickets I will state the facts in the case On the night of the 8th the officer in command of Coal Branch station reported that his sentinel was fired on six times on the night of the itth tho officer in command of the same post reported having been fired on fifteen times and that on the fred night of the 17Ui two of his sentinals narrowly nar-rowly escaped being shot In the last two instances I was within hearing distance dis-tance of the shots which were fired from the adjacent his toward the West Vir rinia side We have not interfered with the West Virginia men in any way except ex-cept to prevent their interference with the men who were disposed to work in the Virginia mines I a of tho opinion that but for the presence of the military the Virginia miners would not have been permitted to continue operations and that there woul have been bloodshed and destruction de-struction of property |