The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-21
GOVERNOR DEMONSTRATES NTH THEM.
The Miners Ridicule the Troops and On
Account OF Overwhelming Numbers
Carry Their Point.


Immediately notified and responded by order
ING four companies from Chattanooga and one
from Knoxville to the scene. OF the nifty con-
yicts taken from the guards at BrlceViile TWO
escaped and the others were brought 70 TINS
city. When the militia arrived they took the
convicts along back with them and warned
the mob that they would protect them at oil
hazards.
THE GovERSoR's APPEAL.
Governor Buchanan ut once proceeded TO
the seat of trouble and in q neat speech ex-
plained>hs position to the rebellious miners.
He told them that il was his sworn duty TO
uphold the law. and If the conyicts lease sys-
tenn was wrong he WAS not 10 blame and that
the only recourse of the men was through the
Legislature. The miners announced that
their families we're starving and they were
compelled 10 drive out the convicts
if IL cost the life Of every man
in the valley. They made all sorts Of
fun Of the handful Of beardless youths, but
declared that they would not harm the
"spider-legged. cigarette-smoklng dudes, as
thew characterized the militia but IA soon as
the militia were withdrew they would re-
lease every convict in the region Becoming
impatient, however at the delay in recalling
the troops. they decided TO try 20 overcome
the troops by force of numbers, and sue
ceeded only too well.
THE TROOPS ARRIVE.
Troops from Briceville arrived here at
o'clock. They are all in good spirits and will
return in the morning with reinforcements:
The boys were badly treated by the people or
knoxville, who seemed 70 be IN perfect SYM
pathy with the lawless element IL Coal Creek
Valley.
At 10 o'clock this morning two thousand
miners farmers and other natives who have
no occupation at all took possession OF the
hills around the Briceyiile camp: Fifteen
hundred Of these We're armed with rifles, shot
guns and pistols. They came from all the
mines in a radius Of fifty miles. The organi;
zatiop was complete and their leaders placed
them along the hillsides with military pre-
At the call 10 arms the little garrison turned
out gallanty and prepared f0r defense. ~
was apparent at glance that the hght Woulu
result in massacre. meeting OF the ofncers
Was called. Some declared that stout resist
ance 10 the first attack would be suincleht
and the mob would withdraw
Others thought that IL would be suicidal.
yet every one WIS IN favor Of dong ans duty'
Notwithstanding the exposed position they
were to defend
THE MINERS AND TROOPS MEET.
Theminers called q parley and were met on
neutral ground by Colonel Sewer. Thcy
stated that they had sufficient force 10 over
whelm the soldiers, but did not care 10 shed
DlDD0
10 them. This request was emphatically re-
fused.
The miners then asked Colonel Sewer If he
would remove his troops and take the con-
victs with him. He asked what would be
done 10 the mining conpanys property
which was also under protection. Ihey re-
Piled that it would not be injured,
He also asked if an attack would be made
on the Knoxville Iron Companys stockade
lust below Bricevile If such was intended
he intended 10 fall back there and fight II out
regardless of consequence. The leader re-
Piled that no attack would be made. The
troops then marched out Of camp, carrying
with them the convicts, al their commits
sary supplies and baggage. lbeY
marched to Briceville and there took the
train 70 Knoxville. Their promise not to at
tack the Knoxville company's stockade has
already been violated and the $50 convicts at
that place we're put on tram and sent 70
knoxville. The mob then started tor Ohyer
Springs, where they also intend liberating the
prisoners
The whole of Eastern Tennessee is in sym
pathy with the miners, and take great de-
light in spreading the disgraceful lawless acts
The MINERS GROWING DESPERATE.
II is known that the leaders Of the mob
were miners neither last week or to-day. Eu-
Cepe Merrett led them IN each instance lie
Is a small merchant at Briceylle, but Is said
10 be determined man. lie spoke IN
reply 10 Governor Buchanan last week. and
really treated the Governor with indlgnity
Other leaders are known, and the sentiment
here is that they must be arrested and taken
TO Nashville, as the law provides, and pun
ished. The miners have appointed commit
tee 10 say what dispatches shall be
sent out and what not, and this CON-
mittee. or some Of it, is in the tel
egraph Office all the time and read
- rt.f
paper men. The committee, whether sell
appointed or under the miners organization.
told the operator on duty at the key that If he
did not let them read tho messages they
would cut the wires A report came IRON
Coal Creek late this afternoon saying the
miners declare that no troops can be landed
there. There are threats that they WILL wreck
tho trains or burn railroad bridges.
LEARNING THE GovERNoR's INTENTION.
A number of the leaders in tho mob to-day
wero in the city tonight getting all the intor-
Governor. Some Of these men returned 10
Coal Creek on the $50 train. and others re-
NAMED in the city This information may be
relied on as correct. Excitement here seems
10 be increasing every minute. and thousands
are on the streets. A big effort Is being made
for rousing labor meeting tomorrow night.
MORE coSvIcTs CAPTURED.
After the release of the oOnyicts at Brice-
Vile this morning, and the troops and con-
victs had beon placed on the tram, the mob
went 10 the mines Of the Knoxville Iron Com
Many and surrounded the stockado and cap
tnred the one~hundred and twenty-five con-
yicts there with the guards. They were shipped
awav TO Knoxville aud arrived here about $3.50
o'clock. All conVicts are now here IN 81 Old
building under guard. A call Of some labor
leaders has been issued for labor nesting
here tomorrow night. II is reported
here tonight that the miners at Ollyer
Snrings have released the l30 convicts,
but AZ M. this report had not been verl-
6ed The excitement here tonight is intense.
Streets are crowded and diversity OF opinion
Is heard. Many of the labor men say the
miners have done right.
ENTIRE MILITARY CALLED OUT.
NASHVILLE, TEEN. July 2O..Governor
buchanan this morning received. tele-
cram from Warden ,Blevins OF Brice-
VILE that over COO men had gathered be-
tween that place and Coal Greek preparatory
10 marching against the Briceyille stockade.
Governor buchanan. who has been guided py
the utmost caution since the troubles began,
at once decided to call out the entire military
of the State. and for that purpose ne I'M
mediately telsgraphed each company ana in-
structed General J. l.. Weakly 70 arrange
railroad transportation for them. tents ah9
blankets were issued from the CaRstos ana
went down by tho special train. Ihe Tram