The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-07-24
THE SEAT OF WAR.
Striking Miners Capture the Soldier Boys
And Send Them Home to Their Mamas,
While the Governor was Waiting for
SSDeYelODmentS,"

D0NelOpHlcHtSs
East Tennessee, and in fact the whole
state, has been i'll a state of eXSpectancy
for days, owing to the trouble in the coal
mines of East Tennessee. For some
time past the mines at Coal Greek, Oil
yer Springs, and those of the knOXVllle
Iron Co., nave been worked by convicts,
thus gradually forcing free labor out.
This state of affairs finally eliminated
last week, when the free miners refused
to work unless the conVlctS were re-
moved. Their demands being refused
they took the matter into their own
hands, and arming themselves they or
dered the guards and cOnvictS to leave
Briceville, which they did, two convicts
escaping.
In the meanwhile Sheriff Rutherford
telegraphed Gov. Buchanan that he was
unable to enforce the law and that he
needed help. Gov. Buchanan immedi-
ately sent two companies of state troops
to the seat of action from Knoxville and
Chattanooga under the command of
Col. Sewer, l07 strong, to maintain peace
and uphold the majesty of the law.
When the soldiers arrived they took
possession of the convicts, fortified
themselves as best they could and
waited for further Developments.
The miners we're aided by citizens
and farmers around, their leaders not
being miners at all, but merchants.
Their whole force numbered about 1000
WelI-armed, determined men, against
boys could do but little in q hand-to-
hand conflict. The crisis came on Mon
day morning, when the miners and re-
Inducements approached the stockade
where the soldiers and convicts were
intrenched. The miners under flag
of truce sent word to Col. Sewer that
they came to take the cOnvicts peacea-
bly,, if they could, by force II necessary.
They stated that they came 1000 strong,
fully armed, and desired the Colonel
to-, 20 10
was refused. Col. SeYier was then
asked if he would retire with his troops,
taking the conVicts with him. After
consulting with his officers, some of
whom were for holding out to the bitter
end, but the majority deeming 1t fool
hardy and suicidal, Col. Sewer con-
scented to the demands of the miners on
the following cOnditions:-That the
company's property would not be
injured, and that the stockades OF the
Knoxville Iron Co. would not be at
tackled. The miners agreed to this and
the soldiers and convicts were loaded
on cars of all descriptions and sent to
Knoxville. The miners the same night
broke their pledge, and attacked the
stockade of the Knoxville Iron Co.,
sending $50 convicts to Knoxville.
The DAY before Gov. Buchanan had
issued orders for more troops, and four
teen companies left for the scene of &C
ton under the command of Capt:
Bond, of Nashville. The Washington
Artillery with two Calling Guns &C
companied the boys, but while Gov
Buchanan was hesitating about giving
these orders, the mlner1 anu Ineir
friends had collected for miles around,
and swarming down on the few soldiers
present, boxed them up i'll cars and
sent them home.
WEDNESDAYS TELEGRAMS.
The companies from Middle and West
Tennessee have all arrived at Knox
Vile and are waiting for further devel-
opments, In the meantime the con-
vets there are having good time en-
loving their enforced vacation. Inc
troops under Brigadier General Carnes
of Memphis number coo and are as de-
ermined to enforce the law as the
miners are to oppose any invasion OF
their territory.
At meeting of the miners Tuesday
afternoon several conservative speeches
were made and a committee appointed
to w ait on the Governor looking TO
settlement of the trouble.
A resolution was unanimously passed
each man pledging himself on his honor,
that not one dollars worth OF prop
erty would be destroyed and that the
property would be guarded,
and that no violence would be offered TO
any one except in self defense,
AS the miners, Tuesday, made Col.
SEWER promise not to injure property
Or attack the Knoxville Iron COS STOCK
ade, and yet did do so aud sent the con-
victs therein collected to Knoxville,
there is some doubt as to whether they
will keep their pledges.
The presence of troops well-armed,
with plenty of ammunition and Calling
Gums, has however a wholesome effect
and no doubt their presence has done
much to keep the miners in check, and
the action taken Dy them
tuesday. 1t is even thought that the
of the attack on the troops
and convicts at BHiceville will be sur
rendered without opposition to the
proper authorities. There IS no rear
An appeal to the Governor and news
papers OF the state emanatlng fro m the
miners has been circulated. II calls on
them to induce the Governor TO caH an
sxtfa session to repeal the act authoriS1 |
nK the convict lease system'