The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-21
PRISON ERS TAX EN- CAPTIVE.
A Mob of Striking Miners bag Troops
and LOnyicts.

A Mob of Striking Miners bag Troops
and Conyicts.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, July 20.--A special
from Priceville says crisis came at that
place to-dny about IL o'clock, when the
miners and crowd Of sympathizers from
the surrounding country gathered around
the camp of the state militia and capured
troops and conyicts. marched them to the
depot. put them on the train and shipped
them to Knoxville. The camp was on a
little knoll surronn ded on all sides by
mountains. Miners md friends to the
number OF twelve or fifteen hundred
divided into squads and appro ached the
camp from four sides. They sent flag of
truce and committee to the officer in
command. The committee notified the
victs. peaceably if possible, by force if
necessary. he officers parleyed awhile
and then agreed to surrender. The troops
we're allowed to keep their guns and ammu-
milton and, with the convicts were marched
to the train and sent to this city,
number 1G7. are at the armory OF the
Knoxville Rifles, where they now remain
awaiting the governors order. The con-
victs were locked in Jail. An immense
crowd met the troops Mt the depot. They
were freely cheered as they marched
duty nearly five days: and had seen but lit
tie in the way of provisions and camp equip
ment. Their faces were bronzed, but th ey
presented soldierly appearance AZ they
marched up the street. The city
is now intensely excited. Leading
the law must be upheld. sympathy, which
had been entirely on the side of the miners,
is now against them for their lawless act
at time when everything was being done
to relieve the situation.
The mob of to-day is celebrating it's VIC
tory by cheering, carousing and shooting
force Of 800 men properly equipped and
led could subdue the entire party. for they
have no idea of openly facing good force
They knew to-day from statements made
them yesterday that the troops would not
fight. bat every one feels that the mob has
made a bad mistake and will be snbdued.
In other words they have lost public sym
pathy. 1t is reported here that ten COM
panles OF state militia are en- route with
arms and eating guns, and that they will
be taken to Coai creek at once. Report
also comes from Coal creek this afternoon
that the miners have declared that no
troops can be landed there. There are
threats that they will W eck trains or burn
railroad bridges. The miners are getting
the best wages ever paid them and make
from $50 to $50 Ter month. according to
ability and amount of time put itl.- ~, ss
1t is known that the lenders Of the mob
were not miners. One Eugene Merrill led
them. He is II small merchant at Price,
vile, but is said to be determined man.
Other leaders are known and the sentiment
here is that they must be arrested and
taken to Nashville and punished. The
miners have appointed u committee to say
what dispatches shall be sent out and what
not, and this committee or some one
of it, is in the telegraph Office
all the time and reads all
matter sent out by newspaper men. The
committee told the operator on duty that
ii he did not let them read the messages
they would cut the wires. Much costly ma
chinery at Coal creek is exposed to the fury
of the mob. There is another bad feature
connected with the affair. Yesterday many
of the soldiers We're allowed to go outside to
get food, and they mingled freely with the
miners. These troops told the miners they
did not want to guard the id con-
victs. and to come and get them at once,
that they would not fight them for convicts.
To-day as the troops were marching of, the
miners jeered and hooted them and yelled.
Tell Buck Gov. Buchananl to send some
more dudes. We will eat them as fast they
come"
Citizens say the insult is to the entire state
and that the government must arrest and
punish the leaders.