New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-01
CONTICTS FREED BY MINERS.
MORE THAN 800 SET AT LARGE IN TEN
NESSEE
LAwLEss WORK AT BRIcEvILLE, TENN.-Two
CONVICT STOCKADES ENTERED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE ~RIBUNE.1

CONVICT SToCKADES ENTERED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEJ
Knoxville Tenn, Oct 31-Not since the days
Of the war has there been as much excitement in
this part of the South as has prevailed to-day
! and tonight, in consequence of the setting free
of 300 convicts by the Briceville miners Ever
since the trouble with the miners in july
when the presence of State troops was necessary
for the preservation of peace and the resumption
of work by the convicts in the mines, the situa-
ton has been unsettled. The miners and the
Leading citizens throughout the mining region
were not satisfied with the compromise then
offered but it was necessary to accept the terms
agreed upon, in order to avoid bloodshed.
After months of patient waiting, during which
time special session of the Legislature had
been held. the miners and their sympathizers
grew inpatient and hopeless. For the last few
days there had been tact understanding among
the miners Of Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and
Pennsylvania that something positive had to be
done In order to secure the needed relief in this
part of the South. Quietly, but systematically.
trusty men were selected TO make arrangements
for the final attack on the convict camps and for
the release of the prisoners There was no bolster
Gus conduct, and lawabiding citizens thought all
the trouble was at an end.
Last night soon after dark, however, the hills
in and about Briceville began filing up with
men and boys. BY o'clock nearly
/, 900 Of them many armed and some intoxicated,
had formed themselves into a body, which marched
upon the convict Stockade of the Tennessee Coal
Mining Company The eight guards were taken
into custody and were threatened with death if
they resisted. The 100 convicts, mostly colored
were then taken from the sockade and, after being
furnished with citizens clothes, told to leave
tbo If Jhem 81 for
believing that the mountains in that State would
be their safest retreat for the present. After the
miners party had turned the convicts out Of the
stockade they set fire to the buildings, which
were burned to the ground.
Leaving Briceville the miners and followers
went to the mines Of the Knoxville Iron Company.
two miles distant. where confined 40 more
convicts. many of them being desperate characters
After firing a cannon and making other demonstra-
tions, they battered down the stOcxade and told
the striped inmates to don citizens suits and
vanish. The prisoners hastily obeyed. number
of the men in the crowd who could not
be controlled by persuasive words, broke open
the store of Captain Chumbley, near tile stock
pde More than 81 900 worth of goods
were taken from the building and the remaining
contents were badly damaged. This action of the
rescung party is deplored by all law-abidng citi
zens, and an effort is to be made 10 punish the
guilty parties
After finishing their work of releae, at 9
o'clock this morning, number of the miners
started for divers Springs; seeking the release
there of over 90 more convcts. After consulta- |
tion no decisive action taken, but it is thought
here tonight that the convicts at divers |
have been released. Nothing has been heard |
from that point tonight, and it is said |
tha hot
city and that point have been cut 1t is given i
out in sem-authoritative way that the convicts |
at Tracy City will have to go also. and if they |
are not released tonight there is no power out |
side of strong military guard that retain |
them there
Information from Nashville is TO the effect |
that Governor Buchanan will not order any more |
troops to the scene of the trouble, but will offer |
large rewards for the arrest and punishment of |
the leaders of last nights crowd of lawvioaters.
Some men who were in sympathy with the miners,
and who had been looked upon as their leaders,
were in this city last night, ana attended
theatrical performance while the convicts were
being released The leaders in the rescuing crowd
seem to have been daring men from the famous
Yellow Creek region OF Kentucky.
Thus far only dozen Of the cOnvicts have |
been captured They are mostly TRUSTEES" or
short term men, who could not he induced 10
run away under any circumstances.
Although the release of the convicts was ac-
,Omplished without bloodshed, and although |
,yerything is auiet in the mining region tonight
the trouble is not over. The Tennessee Coal
Mining Company and the Knoxville Iron Com
pany who leiGe the States convicts, are losers
10 the extent of several thousand dollars, and
will in the near future bring suit /
against the State for damages barn.
With all it's contents. including fifteen fine horses.
md valued at $1,000, burned to-day. just
vest Of this place. 1t is believed that il was
ct on fire by two of the conyicts released last
N inrhf RricoN,ille