The morning news., 1891-12-02
BLACK MINERS RUN OFF.
TIE WHITES AT OLIVER SPRINGS
OUT WITH RIFLES.

Hundreds of Shots Fired Into the
Cabins of the Blscks-All Warned to
Leave Within Twenty-four Hours on
Pain Of Death-The Attack Without
ANY Excuse Whatever.
NASHVILLE, TENN, Dec. 1.-The follow
ing special was received from Knoxville,
Tenn, last night: Information reached
this place tonight of more trouble In the
mining region at Oliver Springs. This is
one of the places where the stockade aud
other property was burned and the ccnvicts
released. There has been another reign of
terror there during the last three OF four
days. 1t started Friday night, when the
Tree miners got on a big drunk,
shouldered their Winchesters and marched
on the houses where the negro miners were
housed. 1t will be remembered that
there the convicts were turned loose. The
Cumberland Mining Company, through its
president, Capt Rentroe of Atlanta, an
nounced that it would employ free labor
Immediately, and every miner, white or
colored to be had, was put to work.
AN ATTACK ON THE NEGROES.
Things moved peaceably until Friday,
OH the negroes. They attacked their houses
firing hundreds of shots and gave the ne
groes notice that il they did not lea % with
in twenty-four hours all would be killed A
number OF negroes fed In terror, 9th ers
more bold called on the president of the
company for protection. He secured the
names OF ten Of the leaders Of the mob and
took out warrants for their arrest. The
men fled to the mountains, though the Of
hcers succeeded in capturing two They
postponed their trials, and Saturday the
white miners struck because their demand
that warrants against ten men be dismissed
was refused. There are now no men at
work.
NO OCCASION FOR THE ATTACK.
1.-THE president Of the company says there
was more than enough work for both white
and colored. He says the men were kept
separate and that there was no occasion for
the attack on the colored miners. Further.
he says, he had work for at least 100 men
more than he could get. His company
is much chagrined at the act
announced its intention to have nothing
more to do with the convicts. IL is now
probable that the convicts will be taken
back. The men whose names the company
have as engaged in the riot will be prose-
cuted to the bitter end. The negroes had a
marvellous escape from bullets. which went
entirely through their cabins"
AN EXECUTIVE MEETING.
There was a meeting to-day in the gov
ernor's Office regarding the convict trouble.
Besides the governor and three prison in-
| spectors, the treasurer, secretary OF state.
controller, superintendent of prisons and
warden were present. The status of affairs
was discussed and the superintendent au-
thorized to employ 100 men at Briceville
and 100 at Coal Greek for guard duty.
should that many be required. Nothing
was done in regard to Oliver springs,
but the same number will
probably be allowed the O. Ii is pretty
certain that it is the governors intention
to create militia guard of at least seventy
five men at each stockade as soon as the
stockades are finished. The recaptured con-
victs will be marched into them against
whatever opposition may be offered. Their
capture has already cost the state 1909.