Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 25, 1993 TAG: 9307250015
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, W.VA. LENGTH: Medium
Authorities have said the Thursday night shooting death of Eddie York, 39, of Lenore, was almost certainly strike-related.
"This death reminds us that violence only leads to tragedy and has no place in the coalfields," said United Mine Workers President Richard Trumka. "We re-emphasize to our members that our picketing and strike activities must remain peaceful."
No arrests were made Saturday, but state police Sgt. G.A. Ables told the Charleston Daily Mail for a story in Saturday's editions that he hopes the gunman will turn himself in.
"I know a lot of the guys down here," said Ables, who is with the Logan state police detachment. "They're good, law-abiding people. I'm hoping that their conscience gets the best of him."
York drove an excavator for Deskins Contracting of Holden, which was cleaning sludge from a pond at an Arch of West Virginia mine in Logan County, authorities said.
He was shot to death Thursday evening as he drove past a picket line after his first day on the job at the Arch Mineral Corp. Ruffner mine, police said.
Investigators said a bullet ripped through his truck's back window, hitting York in the head.
About 15 miners began throwing rocks before shots were fired, authorities said.
Trumka pledged his support and that of the union in helping authorities "bring to justice whoever is responsible for this tragic and senseless death."
Arch Mineral is a member of the Bituminous Coal Operators Association, which is the target of a selective strike that is now almost 11 weeks old.
Despite Trumka's appeal, some association officials questioned how much control he has over the behavior of striking union members.
"For the most part, Richard Trumka is a popular president in the union. But he can't be everywhere at the same time," said Tom Hoffman, a spokesman for the strikebound group.
Arch Minerals Vice President Blair Gardner agreed.
"I can't deny that it seems there is something . . . in some of these remote West Virginia counties which seems to breed contrariness," he said.
The St. Louis-based coal company has offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the gunman in the York shooting.
More than 16,000 union miners are on strike in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia. The walkout began May 10.
Since negotiations began last Nov. 6, the union has said its priority is job security for middle-aged miners whose operators are dwindling.
by CNB