The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1891-07-23
AN ARMED CAMP.

of Labor-Hot Heads Sat Down Upon.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, July 2l-Thril-
ling scenes were enacted in this city
to-day, and the excitement caused by
the return of troops and convicts from
Brccvillc in unabated. The presence
of the largest body of soldiers seen
here since the war and the fact that
they may momentarily be called upon
to go to battle with four times their
number of determined men, each an
adept in the use of firearms. has caused
| the streets to be crowded since day
| break The decision of the governor,
who has been in consultation with the
attorney general all day, has not yet
| been received and the troops are taking
much-needed rest.
Every military company in Tcnnes-
see was in this city this morning await
ing orders from Gov. buchanan to go to
| the seat of trouble with the miners at
Brcevilc. There are nineteen com
pancs in all, containing nearly 600
men. Careful estimates place the num-
ber of miners idle at Coal Creek and
Briceville at / 800 but the first signs of
hostlities would doubtless call out
nearly n thousand more. General sur
prise is manifested here that the gov
crnor did not accompany the troops
from Nashville. The feeling is that
while his presence might not avert n
conflict. his absence prevents further
conference with the miners, SO that the
presence of troops will mean the sur
render of the miners or a conflict
An ominous feature of the situation
is the quietudc and lack of hoasting on
the part of the miners, There is
quiet determination in their attitude
which indicates "A dangerous dcspcra-
tion. The purpose of the troops is, of
course, to return the cOnvicts and pro-
tcct them in their work at the mines,
as well as to arrest the leaders Of the
movement forcing the troops and con-
victs to leave yesterday. This, the
miners say, shall not be done.
1t is reported that Gov. buchanan has
called on The governor of Georgia for
two more companies of infantry and
two companies of artillery, with Cat
ling guns.
Sheriff Rutherford of Anderson
county. who called on the governor for
troops in the first instance, is reported
to have fed the country. Superintend-
cnt Goodwin, who had charge of the
convicts at Coal Creek is also said to
have left in hot haste. At all events,
neither are there, and their where
abouts is not known.
A meeting of miners was held at Coal
Creek this afternoon When the men
first assembled there were Il few hot
heads who began to talk about fire, but
they were outsiders and not miners.
The miners leaders took possession Of
| the meeting and would not allow such
talk to continue.
Mr. Ingraham was called to preside
and the meeting was formally opened.
, There were speeches by a number of
leaders, all of IL conservative tone and
advising against any sort of act in vio-
laton of law. The men said they
, wanted the convicts sent away and
nothing more or less. Finally rcso-
luton was unanimously passed to APP
l point committee of five to go to
:. Knoxville and Nashville if necessary
l to confer with Gov. buchanan and ar
bitrate the present difficulties. Com
missioner Ford and Assistant Alleman
| were invited and asked to go with the
, committee
c resolution was unanimously passed.
( each man plcdging himself on his
/. honor, that not one dollars worth of
y property would be destroyed and the
4 company's property should be guarded.
= 1t was further determined that no one
t should offer violence to any one except
\ in self-dcfcnsc. There is a sense of re-
d lief and quiet since the meeting. The
: miners seem 80 feel that they are now
l. taking the proper course. There was
d some talk of attacking the troops com
d ing to arrest the leaders.
: The meeting has resulted in good, for
the men are now quiet. They are as
T. determined as ever that no convicts
q shall work here and say they will re-
n lease all who come just so soon as the
Is troops leave.
:, telegram was received from the
u Kentucky side at Jellico to-day offer
: ing a large number of men in case help
- was needed. The reply was for the
u men to hold themselves in readiness in
e case they were called for. Nearly
y every man present had double bar
~ relied shotgun in his hand, a few Win
It chesters and not n small number of re-
e volvers. The meeting was held in the
"a grove near the Knoxville Iron Co.'S
~ mine.
y 1t Looks Like War to the Death.
Il KNOXVILLE, Tenn, July 2l.-The
y Buchanan rifles, of Nashville, and the
N Nashville light artillery, with two CAT
t. ling guns with capacity of $50 shots
~ n minute the Stone River guards, the
~ Sheioyville guards and the Suwanee
y guards have arrived and are preparing
v to go to Coal Creek, 1t looks like war
u to the death. They comprise over 400
" men. Col Sewer will take Il picked
= scouting party TO Coal Creek to-day, in
u cluding Lieut., Royster, of Chattanooga.
- The Lookout Mountain guards are in
a. the armory hcre awaiting orders.
~ They say they will do their duty, what
.e ever it is, and sustain the reputation of
~ Chattanooga. Brig. Gen. Carnes of
~ Memphis, will arrive this afternoon and
u assume command of the state troops.
Fs The plan of action will then be decided
'ipon.
s, Fears for the Mine Property.
e. KNOXVILLE, Tenn, July 21.-It is
M | faarad tn.pirbt thnt tho ,n;nars will n ,t