Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-07-24
CAPTURED BY A MOB
Tennessee Troops and Convicts Sur
render to an Organized Band
of Miners.
Intense Indignation Aroused and
Fierce Demands That the
Law be Upheld.
Later Dispatches Report Available
Troops Sent to the Scene
o the rroahle.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. July 20.-The
crisis came at Briceyille today about II
o clock when the miners and crowd of
sympathlzers from the surrounding ceun-
try gathered around TIE camp Of the state
militia and captured the troops and con-
viots, marched them to the depot, put
them ON the train and shipped them to
hnoxvllle. The camp was ON a little
saoll surrounded ON all sides by noun
tlinS. The miners and their friends
TO the number of 200 OF 1900 divided
into squads and approached the camp
from four sides. They sent flag of truce
and committee to the officer in COM
mand. The committee notified the off,
GERS that they had come to take the con.
yictS peaceably, if possible and by force If
necessary. The officers parlayed while
and then agreed to surrender. The troops
were allowed to keep their arms and ann
munition and with the convicts marched
to the train and sent to this city,
arriving about 4;S0 The troops,
who number l07, are nj
the armory of tho Knoxville rifles, where
they now remain awaiting the governors
order. The convicts were locked in iail,
An immense crowd met the troops at the
depot. They were freely cheered as they
marched through the streets. The men
had been on duty nearly Ave days and had
seen but little IN the way of provisions
and camp equipment. Their faces were
hronzed but they presented soldierly
appearance as they marched up the street.
The city Is now intensely excited. Lead
ing men of all political parties say the law
must be upheld. The sympathy which
has been entirely on the side of miners is
now against them for their lawless act at a
time when everything is being done to re-
ieve the situation. Some politicians are
discussing what the alliance will do. The
great mass Of citizens. however say the
law must be observed and that Governor
Buchanan must enforce the law regardless
of the cost. The sentimt Mt here is that he
must send all the state troops, who are
few and poorly organized, to the front Mt
once and put experienced men and officers
IN charge; If he has not force enough he
must call volunteers. The report has been
circulated that he asked the president for
500 regulars but the truth OF this cannot
be verified, 1t Is known that the leaders
of the mob were not miners. One, Eugene
Merrill, led them. He is n small mer-
Grant at BriceVille, but is soid TO be de-
termined 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 n
committee TO say what dispatches
shall be sent out ard what not and
this committee or some one of it, is in
the telegraph office all the time ana reads
all the matter sent out by the newspaper
men. The committee told the operator
on duty that If he did not let
them read the messages they would
cut the wires. Much costly machinery
at Coal Creek is exposed TO the fury of the
mob. There is another bad feature con-
nected with the affair which has not vet
been brous 1t out, and that is the Conduct
of the militia that has been ON guard.
Yesterday many were allowed outside to
get food and they mingled freely with
miners. These troops told the
mirers they did not want to
guard the convicts and to come and get
them at once, that they would not fight
them for convicts. To-Day as the troops
were marched off the miners jeered and
hooted them and yelled, Tell Buck Gov
Buchanan) to send some more dudes; we'll
eat them as fast as they come. The citizens
say the insult is to the entire state and
that the government must arrest and pun
ish the leaders. the mot. today is eele-
brating the victory 10y cheering, earousiug
and shooting. A force of five hundred
men properly equipped and led
could subdue the entire party for they
have no ideas of facing good force. They
knew today from statements made them
yesterday that the troops would not fight,
but everyone feels that the mob has made
mistake and will be subdued.
In other words they have lost
public sympathy. 1t is reported here
that ten companies of state militia are en-
route with arms and gatling guns, and
they will be taken to Coal creek at once.
The report also comes from Coal creek this
afternoon saying the miners declare that
no troors can be landed there
There are threats that they
will wreck the trains or purn the railroad
bridges, The miners are getting the best
wages ever paid them, and make from $50
to $3.50 per month, according TO their ,Ihil-
ity and the amount of time they put in.
When the miners made the attack on
the camp today Lieut.. Chandler, of the
Knoxville rifles, saluted the colonel as
volunteer to fight the mob with his twenty
men.
Later-Troops Sent.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Jul 20.-The ChiCka-
saw guards, Hibernian rifles, Bluff City
ZOuaves and Roster Zouaves are unper
orders from Gov. Buchanan and left this
city at $50 tonight for Bricevile. The
companies are small averaging $50 men,
under the command of Gen Sam. Carnes.
They will reach Knoxville about noon to-
morrow.