Coffey, Nashville Tennessean, October 27, 1901

GUARD KILLED

STRIKERS FIRED ON MINERS

Coffey Started in Pursuit and Was Shot From Ambus.

SEVEN MEN UNDER ARREST

Five of Them Are Union Miners and Striker — Excitement Over the Affair.

Special Dispatch to The American.

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky., Oct. 26.—One of the most dastardly crimes in all the history of mining troubles in this section of the State was the assassination of Robert Coffey, chief of the guards on duty at the Empire mines, in the northern portion of this county, who was shot from ambush and instantly killed by unknown parties while in the discharge of his duties at an early hour this morning. Matters had quieted down so much at the Empire mines that the lawless outbreak of this morning was a surprise to every one, while the foul murder of Mr. Coffey has sent a thrill of indignation throughout the entire community.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST

The particulars of the awful crime, as brought out at the Coroner’s inquest, are to the effect that at half-past [illegible] o’clock this morning the miners had gathered to go to work, when they saw on the summit of the hall half a mile off a party of people, numbering about 200. These men were recognized as unionists, who had been threatening for some time to visit Empire, where they were not wanted. There was only one guard with the miners, John Fields, who held his place after the shooting commenced. As these unionists advanced on the miners they opened fire, and bullets fell all around. The miners concealed themselves as best they could, and Fields would have been shot had he not dropped to the ground and hid in the bushes near. Other guards were attracted to the scene by the firing, and on their arrival they prepared to join in the fight, but the assailants had fled down the hill.

COFFEY KILLED.

Robert Coffey, one of the mine’s guards, and Deputy Sheriff Charles Garner promptly organized a pursuing party and gave the would-be murderers chase, and while the woods in the vicinity of the mines were being searched, Mr. Coffey, who was on horseback, became separated from the other officers. Some time later his dead body was found, and it first became known that he had been assassinated.

The unknown assassin had shot him in the back, and when the startling discovery was made the body was lying in the woods one mile from the company’s store and half a mile from the tipple. The dastardly scoundrel who killed him had fired from cover and without warning. The body had fallen from the horse and was lying in a pool of blood.

SIX MEN CAUGHT.

Six men who are believed to have been implicated in the outbreak have been captured. All are strikers and members of the union. Each one was armed. William Goldworthy, Jim Will Anderson and George Phillips are the names three of them gave. Goldworthy violently resisted arrest, and it was only with difficulty that he was finally overpowered. He made a desperate attempt to kill Deputy Sheriff Barnes, and would have succeeded but for the vigilant of the guards. A 44-calibre pistol and belt of cartridges were taken from him.

INTENSE EXCITEMENT.

Nothing in years has created more intense excitement all over this county. Mr. Coffey had spent most of his life around this city, where his family resides and where he ran a livery stable until recently. He was formerly on the police force here, and afterward a special agent for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. He was well known in Nashville, and served a term as Mayor or Guthrie. He also operated a detective agency. His remains will be brought here for burial.

Another Account.

Special Dispatch to The American

EARLINGTON, Ky., Oct. 26.—As a result of the mining trouble in this section Robert H. Coffey, Deputy Sheriff of Christian County, and guard at the Empire mine, was killed this morning near that point. He had pursued men who early in the morning fired on a guard near the mine. He seems to have been following men in a buggy and to have halted them and dismounted from his horse, when he was shot through the thigh with a soft-nosed bullet that lore away a great part of his leg. The shot probably came from a man hidden in the woods, where tracks were found; a hat was also picked up there.

The woods were searched and seven men were arrested—Will Goldsworthy, Ed. Goldsworthy, Jim Will Anderson, George Phillips, Deckard, all union agitators, and two other unknown men were captured and taken to Hopkinsville. Will Goldsworthy was armed. While under arrest he seized a pistol and tried to shoot Deputy Sheriff Charles Barnes. 

Coffey’s remains were sent to Hopkinsville, where his wife and two small children live. He leaves other children. He was a brave officer and was formerly a Louisville & Nashville detective.

The killing may lead to a termination of the state of anarchy here, as the feeling is intense. W. T. Rutland, manager of the Empire mines, which are owned in Nashville, says they will abandon the mines rather than unionize them.