Felix Dixon, union organizer in this district, is wearing goggles this week to comouflage a badly discolored pair of eyes. He was the victim of what he says was an unprovoked assault Thursday evening of last.
According to a statement given the Lead Belt News, Tuesday, Mr. Dixon went to Mitchell to invite the men employed there to attend an open meeting which was advertised for Leadwood Thursday night. He was approached by Lee Sneed, his cousin, who without any warning, knocked him down. Dixon said he was also kicked by another man whom he did not know. He said Sneed accused him of trying to agitate a strike, and in doing so remarked: "You have no business trying to stir up trouble which will result in starving me and my family."
After the assault Dixon started toward Leadwood. When he went to go around the changing room at the shaft he was stopped by Sneed and others. Sneed had a rock in his hand and told him he had better hit the trail for Elvins.
Dixon said he made no effort to fight, as he was outnumbered and had reason to believe one of the men had a gun. He swore out a warrant for Sneed's arrest, charging him with assault with intent to kill. Sneed gave bond before Squire Martin for his appearance for preliminary hearing.
We were unable to get in touch with Sneed in order to get a direct statement of his side of the controversy. When in Flat River following his arrest he told Squire Ramsey that the original cause of the trouble was an argument which arose between his father and Dixon several days previous. It was reported that Dixon had made some remarks which the old gentleman resented. When young Sneed saw Dixon at Mitchell he asked him about [it]. Dixon, he said, called him a liar and he resented this remark by knocking him down.