The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-07-21
THE TROOPS CAPITuLATE.
Armed Miners Force Tennessee's
Militia 10 Strike CoIorS.
CONVICT LABOR the CAUSE.
Gov. Buchanan Orders Out the
Whole Force of the State.

| EEhty-eight Soldiers Guarding the
Convicts at Work In the Mines aud De.
mand Immediat surrender-To Avoid
Bloodshed tho Troops Yield a.d Arc
Sent to Knoxville ON tho Cars-Deter-
mination Not to Allow Prison Labor In
tho Mines-The Soldiers VIII 60 Back.
| KNOXVILLE, July 20.-The labor trouble at
| Briceville eliminated to-day In tho with
drawal OF tho convicts from the mine Of the
TENNESSEE Coal Company and OF those in the
| knoxville Iron Company's mines. At the lat
ter place they have been worked without
trouble for fourteen years The mines Mt
| Bricevlle arc In pocket formed by three
mountains. On all sides the site is command
cd By wooded hillsides. from which sharp
shooters could pick of the militia ono by one
Tho total number OF effective militia was SO.
and opposed to them was q fighting contin.
gent OF from 1000 to 1000 miners.
This morning IN armed and thoroughly or
ganiZed body of miners numbering not less
than 1000 men, assembled at Coal Crock. and
in column marched to Bricevile five miles
away. Before the march began every man was
searched. aud those having whiskey were eX-
cluded. When Drcsville was reached the
militia were surrounded on all sides by miners.
who marched within 200 yards OF the lines. A
committee OF three demanded a surrender
Seeing tho utter folly OF resistance. Col.
Sewer. in command. agreed TO withdraw tho
militia and convicts and take them to Knox
VILE When SEWERS command had been placed
on board the train and 1t had pulled out. the
miners. In the same manner. marched TO the
mines OF the Knoxville Iron Company. The
guards, being SO greatly outnumbered.
marched out with 125 convicts. who were put
on another train and started toward Knox
vile. They wore stopped by wire at Clinton.
sixteen miles from here. where they are side.
tracked.
Gov. buchanan was apprised OF the turn OF
affairs. and tonight ten companies are en-
route for tho scene. some OF the companies
being artillery armed with Calling guns.
Those best acquainted with the situation do
not look for bloodshod. The miners are deter
mined that the convlcts shalt not be worked in
tho mining region. II a large force of militia
! Is sent to Brcevillo there will no no outbr. ak.
As long as retnforccmen;s are on the ground
| they will be quiet. hut Just Us soon as the SOL
diers are Withdrawal the convicts will be liber-
ated.
Governor buchanan Is on his way to Knox.
Vile. but his presence in the coal fields will
not be conducive o ponce. He Is very unropu-
lar there. as In the last Legislature he voted
for the Convict Lease law.
NASHVILLE. July 20.-Gov. buchanan has
ordered the entire State militia to Briceville.
to protect convicts at work in the mines.
MEMPHIS. July 20.-In accordance with tho
order issued BY Gov. buchanan four Memphis
companies OF the State militia. under COM
mand OF Gen. ST.. Corner will leave this city at
9:3o to-Eight vim the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad for Briceyillo.
rther particulars from Brcoville say that
the miners were divided into four equal
squads. and approached on the four sides Of
N "a W hura b., ~
The miners sent up flag OF truce and sent
In a committee to the officer in command.
Tho committee notified the officers that they
had come 10 take the convicts. peaceably II
possible by force il necessary.
The officers parleycd awhile and then agreed
to surrender. Inc ir obs were allowed to
keep thsir arms and ammunition. and with
the convicts they were marched to the train.
Thcy were loaded in box cars or whatever could
be had. and the entire lot sent to this
city. They arrived hero about 4:30 o'clock.
Tho troops went to the armory Of the Knox
vile Rifles whore they now ROMAN awaiting
the orders Of the Governor. Tho miners made
them promise not to return TO Coal Creek.
The convcts were taken to the Jail. locked UP.
and fed
An immense crowd mot the troops at tho
depot They were freely cheercd us they
marched through the streets. The men had
been on duty nearly five days in the rain.
and bad but little to eat. Their faces were
bronZed. but they presented . sold!ery appear
ance as they marched up the street. The
city is now intensely excited. Lending men
OF all political parties say the law must be up
held. Sympathy. which had boon entirely on
. the side OF tho miners. Is now against them.
Governor Buchanans administration is TINT
Of tho Alliance. and som" OF the politicians are
discussing what the Alliance will do. but tho
great majority OF tho citizens say the law must
be observed. and that Governor buchanan
must enforce the law. regardless OF cost.
The sentiment here is that he must send all
the State troops who aro few and poorly or
caniZed. TO the front at once and put OK
perienced men and officers in charge. If he
has not force enough no must call Tor volun-
teers.
report has been circulated hero that be
would ask tho President for 500 regulars. but
the truth OF this cannot be verified.
It is known that the leaders OF tho mob were
not miners. either last week or to-day. ono
Eugene Merrill led them in each instance.
He is Jim Grow" merchant at Briceville.
but is said to be determined man. lie
spoke in reply to Gov. buchanan last
week and treated the Governor with indignity
Other lea iers are known. and sentiment
here is that they must be arrested nnd
taken to Nashville aud punished. Tho
miners have appointed committee
10 sny what despatches shall DO sent
out and what not. md this committee or some
members OF It are in the telegraph office all
the time. aud read all matter sent out by the
newspaper men.
TIE committee. whether disappointed or
by tho miners organization. told the ops
orator on duty at the key that II
he did not let them read the mos
sage they would cut the wire The wire Is
a private one. and doss all business. including
railroad and train despatchinE.
There are reports that the Railroad Commit
tee will call for special detectives to guard their
property. Another view OF the situation IL
tho conduct OF the militia that has been on
these grounds.
Yesterday many were allowed to go outside to
get fool and they mingled freely with the min
ers These troops told tho miners that the
did not want to guard the Damn convcs'
| and to come and get hem at once. that they