Matthias Hempins, the representative from the third district of West Virginia rarely needed to speak in House debates to make his opinions known on certain topics. When a Delaware representative suggested a special tax might be levied on coal to help fund medical care for orphans of mineworkers, the gentleman from West Virginia stood up, walked across the gallery, and brought the head of his cane down upon the other mans hand with such force as to separate three of his fingers from their hand entirely. Hempins then glared around the gallery, wiped off his cane, and returned to his seat. The gentleman from Delaware declined to press charges, and an amendment was passed exempting West Virginia coal from any further special taxes.
