Despite threats by white miners to blow up their railroad car homes, twenty-five Negro laborers went to work upon a spur track which the Norfolk and Western railway is laying near Grundy.

Sheriff J.H. Goff, of Buchanan Co., placed a guard around the construction crew after receiving protests against the use of the Negro laborers.

Governor Peery today had recieved no request from the sheriff or any other local official for state aid in handling the situation.

It was explained at the offices of the Norfolk and Western at Roanoke that the Negro track laying crew was used because there were not available in the county sufficient workers who knew how to tamp a tie or drive a spike as well as the regular crew.

A delegation of white miners said last night that they expected to blow up the eleven-car work train, but action was deferred pending further parleys today. Meanwhile, the sheriff placed a guard around the crew.

"I am prepared for any contingency and believe it will not be necessary to ask the governor for aid of the militia," Sheriff Goff said.