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47-464: The agency was founded in the early 1890s by William Gibbony Baldwin as the Baldwin Detective Agency. Baldwin, the senior member of the firm, was a native of Tazewell County, Virginia . An avid reader of detective novels in his youth, Baldwin was a small storekeeper in his early days. He then studied dentistry but left that profession to become a detective. He began his career in 1884 with

94-543: A Virginia state senator. Baldwin died in 1936, at 75; Felts died a year later, at 69. In 1937, four months before his death, Felts had formally dissolved the Baldwin–Felts Detective Agency. By then, strikebreaking work had declined. State and federal legislation outlawing the use of private detectives for the purpose of spying on or harassing workers, along with shifting public opinion, had made such detectives less useful to management in labor disputes. After

141-624: A bowl-shaped valley formed by the erosion of a doubly plunging anticline. Tazewell County includes the headwaters of four watersheds , which are the Upper Clinch , Middle New , North Fork Holston , and Tug . It also has the headwaters of the Bluestone River , which flows into West Virginia, where a portion is protected as a Wild and Scenic River . Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from

188-400: A full-scale assault on non-union mines. In a short time the conflict had consumed the entire Tug River Valley. This "Three Days Battle" was finally ended by a flag of truce and the implementation of martial law. From the beginning, the miners perceived the enforcement of martial law as one-sided. Hundreds of miners were arrested; the smallest of infractions could mean imprisonment, while those on

235-404: A group of Baldwin–Felts agents standing at the top of the stairs opened fire. Hatfield was killed instantly. Chambers was bullet-riddled and rolled to the bottom of the stairs. Despite Sally Chambers' protests, one of the agents ( Charles Lively ) ran down the stairs and shot Chambers once more, point blank in the back of the head. Hatfield's and Chambers' bodies were returned to Matewan, and word of

282-564: A household in the county was $ 27,304, and the median income for a family was $ 33,732. Males had a median income of $ 28,780 versus $ 19,648 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 15,282. About 11.70% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line , including 20.30% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over. All public schools in Tazewell County are operated by Tazewell County Public Schools system. The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office (TCSO)

329-540: A lawyer and was a member of the Virginia Bar Association . In 1900, he joined the Baldwin Detective Agency as a partner who could provide legal advice to the firm. In 1910, the name of the agency was changed to the Baldwin–Felts Detective Agency, and its headquarters were in Bluefield, West Virginia . Originally, the company provided investigative services to railroads for train robberies and other crimes. Little

376-837: A mounted machine gun (it was called the Death Special by the miners). Charles Lively , who infiltrated the UMWA in West Virginia and other states, was tasked with spying on the miners in Colorado and killed a man, for which he pleaded self-defense. The events culminated in the violent confrontation known as the Ludlow Massacre , when the Colorado National Guard used machine guns to kill 21 people, including miners' wives and children. The most infamous striking breaking action undertaken by

423-533: A salary of $ 95,000 per year. The attorney general gives their written opinions and advice upon questions of law to state officials, heads of state institutions, and prosecuting attorneys . They are also responsible for all litigation on behalf of the state government and state agencies and departments. The attorney general represents the state in all claims processed by the United States Court of Claims , prosecutes civil actions as prescribed by law, enforces

470-427: A successor can be elected and qualified. Since West Virginia became a state on June 20, 1863, it has had 34 attorneys general, of whom 33 men have held the office (the inaugural attorney general, Aquilla B. Caldwell of Ohio County , served two nonconsecutive terms). Caldwell was the first Republican to hold the office, and Joseph Sprigg of Hampshire County was the first Democrat . Darrell McGraw , who held

517-421: A warrant for Hatfield's arrest. Testerman was alerted, and he ran out into the street after a miner shouted that Sid had been arrested. Hatfield backed into the store and Testerman asked to see the warrant. After reviewing it, the mayor exclaimed, "This is a bogus warrant." With these words, a gunfight erupted and Hatfield shot Albert Felts. Testerman and Albert and Lee Felts were among the ten men killed (three from

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564-410: Is known about this chapter in the history of Baldwin–Felts, but it is known that the company provided guards for railway and mine payrolls and accompanied coal trains into the coalfields. The company investigated train wrecks, robberies, and thefts. By the early 1900s, the agency had also undertaken detective work for both federal and state government agencies. The agency rose to national prominence with

611-479: Is the ex officio reporter of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia . The constitution further specifies that the attorney general shall reside in the seat of state government, Charleston , during their term of office. In Charleston, they are to maintain public records, books, and papers pertaining to their office, and perform all duties prescribed by state law. As of 2012, the attorney general receives

658-560: Is the primary law enforcement agency in Tazewell County. As of 2022 the agency is headed by Sheriff Brian Hieatt. Since the establishment of the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office, two prohibition officers, one justice of the peace , and one sheriff's deputy have died in the line of duty. In 2016, the department was criticized by the Freedom from Religion Foundation for having stickers saying " In God We Trust " on its cars. In 2022,

705-542: The Civil War , construction of railroads in southwestern Virginia enabled the development of coal and iron resources in the Clinch Valley. Richlands had a boom economy in the early 1890s, and became a rougher place with young industrial workers and more saloons. The profits generated by the coal boom resulted in the development of mansions and the elaborate Richlands Hotel, said to rival the best hotels of New York City. But it

752-546: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 520 square miles (1,300 km ), of which 519 square miles (1,340 km ) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km ) (0.2%) is water. Since it contains portions of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians and the Cumberland Plateau , Tazewell County has very distinct geologic areas within the county. One of the most unusual areas is Burke's Garden ,

799-523: The Baldwin–Felts was in Matewan, West Virginia . A confrontation between locals and agents resulted in the deaths of two miners and Matewan's Mayor as well as seven Baldwin–Felts detectives including Thomas Felts' brothers, Albert and Lee. On May 19, 1920, 12 Baldwin–Felts agents, including Lee Felts, arrived in Matewan, West Virginia and met with Albert Felts, who was already in the area. Albert and Lee were

846-612: The County of Carroll at once. Mob violence, the court. Commonwealth's Attorney, Sheriff, some jurors and others shot on the conviction of Floyd Allen for a felony. Sheriff and Commonwealth's Attorney dead, court serious. Look after this now. Governor Mann phoned the Baldwin–Felts Detective Agency in Roanoke and asked them to hunt down the Allens who were still at large. The detectives cut a wide swathe through Carroll County in their quest. The wounded Allen

893-573: The Eureka Detective Agency in Charleston, West Virginia . After founding the Baldwin Detective Agency, he then moved to Roanoke, Virginia , to oversee security operations in the Norfolk and Western Railway 's coalfield district. He was later appointed chief special agent, a position he held until his retirement, in 1930. Thomas Lafayette Felts was a native of Galax, Virginia , who was educated as

940-739: The Pocohantas Coal Fields and the Paint Creek–Cabin Creek. Their thuggish behaviour and their known propensity for violence led the former Attorney General of West Virginia , Howard B. Lee , to remark in his 1969 book that Baldwin and Felt were the "two most feared and hated men in the mountains." Between 1913 and 1914, Baldwin–Felts agents had moved west and become involved in another coal field struggle in Las Animas County, Colorado . Agency detectives were employed in squads to harass striking workers. They used an armored car with

987-457: The West Virginia state government and is the state's chief law enforcement officer. The office was created by Article VII, Section 1 of the first Constitution of West Virginia in 1863. Under the current state constitution (1872), the attorney general is an executive department -level state constitutional officer , along with the governor , secretary of state , auditor , treasurer , and commissioner of agriculture . The attorney general

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1034-475: The agency closed its doors, most of the company's files were destroyed or lost. The largest collection of extant files is housed at the Eastern Regional Coal Archives, in Bluefield, West Virginia . Tazewell County, Virginia Tazewell County ( / t æ z . w ɛ l / ) is a county located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Virginia . As of the 2020 census ,

1081-410: The area, Tazewell County was created on December 20, 1799. The land for the county was taken from portions of Wythe and Russell counties. It was named after Henry Tazewell , a United States senator from Virginia, state legislator and judge. Delegate Littleton Waller Tazewell originally opposed the formation of the new county but when Simon Cotterel, who drew up the bill to form the county, changed

1128-466: The brothers of Thomas Felts, the co-owner and director of the agency. Albert had already been in the area and had tried to bribe Mayor Testerman with $ 500 to place machine guns on roofs in the town; Testerman refused. That afternoon Albert and Lee along with 11 other men set out to the Stone Mountain Coal Co. property. The first family they evicted was a woman and her children; the woman's husband

1175-446: The colony, and in response the state police shot and arrested miners, ripped the canvas tents to shreds and scattered the mining families' belongings. Both sides were bolstering their arms, and Sid Hatfield continued to be a problem, especially when he converted Testerman's jewelry store into a gun shop. On January 26, 1921, the trial of Hatfield for killing Albert Felts began. It was in the national spotlight and brought much attention to

1222-558: The county was 96.16% White , 2.29% Black or African American , 0.17% Native American , 0.61% Asian , 0.16% from other races , and 0.62% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 18,277 households, out of which 28.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who

1269-464: The department again received a letter from the FFRF, stating that Sheriff Hieatt led prayers at religious events in uniform, and criticizing it for posting religious messages on its Facebook page. 37°08′N 81°34′W  /  37.13°N 81.56°W  / 37.13; -81.56 Attorney General of West Virginia The attorney general of West Virginia is the chief legal advisor to

1316-598: The eastern United States , there are petroglyphs near the summit of Paintlick Mountain. Among the tribes that occupied this area in historic times were the Lenape (Delaware), and the Iroquoian-speaking Cherokee and members of the Iroquois Confederacy . In the spring of 1771, Thomas and John Witten established the first permanent settlement in Tazewell County at Crab Orchard. As population increased in

1363-525: The fugitives were arrested and brought back to Carroll County before the end of the year. By the 1910s, railroad crimes and associated banditry had decreased in the United States. Therefore, Baldwin–Felts began hiring out their detectives as private security forces for mining companies and so the company is remembered for its violent confrontations with the labor unions . Baldwin–Felts was allowed to maintain such operations because public law enforcement and

1410-451: The length of the residency in West Virginia. Their election can be held at any time as prescribed by law. The attorney general's term of office is four years and commences on the first Monday after the second Wednesday of the month of January following their election. If the office of attorney general should become vacant on account of death, resignation, or otherwise, the governor is authorized to select an appointee to hold that office until

1457-428: The local sheriff to head the criminal investigation and pursue those suspected of committing the killings. No provision for succession after his death had been provided for in the law, and his deputies lost all their legal powers until the next election. Recognizing the need for immediate action, assistant clerk S. Floyd Landreth sent a telegram to Democratic Governor William Hodges Mann which read: Send troops to

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1504-446: The maintenance of order in labor disputes were often left to company owners. Therefore, they could employ the likes of Baldwin–Felts to suppress strikes; collect intelligence on unions; prevent labor organizers from entering company grounds; and evict the families of union members living in company-owned housing who had gone on strike or failed to pay rent. In 1912, Baldwin–Felts agents were soon employed strikebreaking in West Virginia at

1551-441: The miners' cause. Hatfield's stature and mythical status grew as the trial proceeded. He posed and talked to reporters, fanning the flames of his own legend. All men were acquitted in the end, but overall the union was facing significant setbacks. Eighty percent of mines had reopened with the importation of replacements and the signing of yellow-dog contracts by ex-strikers returning to the mines. In mid-May 1921 union miners launched

1598-468: The originally proposed name of the county to Tazewell's namesake, in honor of his father Henry who had died earlier that year, the bill passed. Jeffersonville was established the following year (1800) as the county seat. On February 29, 1892, Jeffersonville was renamed as Tazewell. During the early settlement period, many Scots-Irish settled through the Appalachian backcountry, including Tazewell. After

1645-469: The population was 40,429. Its county seat is Tazewell . Tazewell County is part of the Bluefield , WV -VA Micropolitan Statistical Area . Its economy was dependent on coal and iron of the Pocahontas Fields from the late 19th into the 20th century. Tazewell County was long a hunting ground for various historic Native American tribes and their ancestral indigenous cultures. Although rare in

1692-486: The position, the attorney general candidate must be at least 25 years of age at the beginning of their term of service, and must have been a citizen of West Virginia for at least five years prior to their election or appointment. In 1872, when the second (and current) Constitution of West Virginia was enacted, the constitution averred that citizens residing in the state at the time of its enactment were also authorized to be elected or appointed as attorney general, regardless of

1739-473: The pursuit and capture of the fugitive Floyd Allen and members of his family who were involved in a courtroom shootout in Carroll County , Hillsville, Virginia . Five people died and seven were wounded, including Commonwealth Attorney William Foster, Sheriff Lewis F. Webb, and Judge Thornton Lemmon Massie. The event was reported nationally from March 13 to April 15, 1912. At the time, Virginia law required

1786-421: The racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. As of the census of 2000, there were 44,598 people, 18,277 households and 13,232 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 people per square mile (33 people/km ). There were 20,390 housing units at an average density of 39 units per square mile (15 units/km ). The racial makeup of

1833-405: The side of "law and order" were seen as immune. The miners responded with guerrilla tactics and violence. In the midst of this tense situation, Hatfield traveled to McDowell County on 1 August 1921 to stand trial on charges of dynamiting a coal tipple . Along with him traveled a good friend, Ed Chambers, and their wives. As they walked up the courthouse stairs, unarmed and flanked by their wives,

1880-411: The slayings spread through the mountains. The miners were angry at the way Hatfield had been slain, and that it appeared the assassins would escape punishment. They began to pour out of the mountains and take up arms . Both Baldwin and Felts were also involved in banking, and Baldwin later served as president and member of the board of directors of several banks. Felts was later elected to two terms as

1927-861: The state consumer, antitrust , and preneed burial statutes, and enforces the West Virginia Human Rights Act and the West Virginia Fair Housing Act. The attorney general is also an ex officio member of the Board of Public Works, Council of Finance and Administration, Public Land Corporation, West Virginia Housing Fund, West Virginia Sheriff's Bureau, Department of Public Safety Retirement Board, Bid Suspension Review Board, State Building Commission, Commission on Charitable Contributions, Women's Commission, Multistate Tax Compact Advisory Committee, Records Management, and Preservation Advisory Committee. To be eligible for election or appointment to

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1974-576: The town and seven from the agency). Albert and Lee Felts were buried in Galax, Virginia in what is now the Felts Memorial Cemetery. Their funeral was attended by over 3,000 people. This gunfight became known as the Matewan Massacre, and its symbolic significance was enormous for the miners. The seemingly invincible Baldwin–Felts had been beaten. Sid Hatfield became an immediate legend and hero to

2021-703: The union miners, and a symbol of hope that the oppression of coal operators and their hired guns could be overthrown. Throughout the summer and into the fall of 1920 the union gained strength in Mingo County , as did the resistance of the coal operators. Low-intensity warfare was waged up and down the Tug River . In late June state police under the command of Captain Brockus raided the Lick Creek tent colony near Williamson. Miners were said to have fired on Brockus and Martin's men from

2068-458: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.85. In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.40% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 27.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.70 males. The median income for

2115-422: Was arrested at his hotel by Felts personally. Most of the Allens and their relations were arrested by a posse of Baldwin–Felts detectives, who chased down the fugitives in a relentless search that was carried out regardless of weather conditions. Nevertheless, two of the men (Sidna Allen and Wesley Edwards) escaped to Des Moines, Iowa . An informant (Maude Iroller) tipped the agency as to the men's whereabouts, and

2162-478: Was forced to close after the boom cycle ended. It was used for other purposes. Tazewell County was the focus of a 2005 article in Time Magazine about the opioid epidemic : however, the sheriff H. S. Caudill claimed the article misrepresented Tazewell County and his statements to the reporter. Paramount 's 1994 film Lassie was filmed here. It was based on stories of Albert Payson Terhune . According to

2209-401: Was not home at the time. They forced them out at gunpoint and threw their belongings in the road under a light but steady rain. The miners who saw it were furious, and sent word to town. As the agents walked to the train station to leave town, Police Chief Sid Hatfield and a group of deputized miners confronted them and told them they were under arrest. Albert Felts replied that in fact he had

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