The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-07-21

KNOXVILLE, Tenn, July eo.-ISpe-
cial The crisis in the trouble between
Inc ousted miners in this district and
the convicts who were brought hero
from the State prison at Nashville has
at last been reached.
When about 400 armed strikers at
tackled the guards who had charge of
nifty felons at l'riceville last Wednesday
night and liberated their charges, it was
predicted that this would be but the
beginning OF general movement
throughout the entire mining district of
the State. Governor buchanan was
immediately notified and responded bv
ordering two companies from Chatta-
nooga and ono from Knoxville to tho
scene. or the fifty convicts taken from
tn guards NJ Briceville two ESCAPED
AMI the others were brought to this
city.
When the militia arrived they took
che convicts along back with them and
warned the mob that they would pro-
toct them 1T all hazards Governor
buchanan ii once proceeded to the seat
OIL trouble and in Il neat speech ex-
pialned his position To the rebellious
miners. lie told them that it was his
sworn duty to uphold the law and if the
convict lease system was wrong he was
not to blanc, and that the ONLY recourse
OF the men was through the legislature.
Inc miners announced that their fami-
lies were starving and that they were
compelled to drive out the convicts il
II cost the life of every man in the VAL
ley.
They made all sorts of fun of the
handful of beardiess youths, but de-
cared that they would not harm the
splder-legged- cigarette-smoking dudes,
as ehey characterized the militia, but
as soon as the military were withdrawn
they would release every convict in the
region. Becoming impatient, however,
at tho delay in recalling the troops they
ueclded to try TO overcome tbs troops
by force of numbers and succeeded only
too we'll.
The trouble came near eliminating
today in bloody fight. Troops from
Bricevillo arrived hore at O'Clock.
Ihey are all in good spirits AMI will
return In tho morning with reinforce
ments' The boys were badly treated
by the people OF Knoxville, who seemed
to 30 in perfect sympa ,hy with the
lawlcss element in Coal Creek Valley.
at 10 o'clock this morning 1000 miners,
| farmers and other natives who have no
occupation at all took possession of the
NILS around the Briceville camp.
Fifteen hundred OF these were armed
with rifles; the rest had shot guns and
pistols. The came from all tho mines
in radius of fifty miles. Organization
was complete, and their leaders placed
them along the hillside with military
| precision.
At the call to arms the little garrison
turned out CALAMITY and prepared fov-
defense. 1t was appa. cnt that fight.
would result in 4 massacre. A MEETING
OF the ohcers was called. Some declared
that 4 stout resistance to the first at
tack would be sufficient and the mob
would Withdraw. Others thought that
IT wonld be Suicidal vet every ono was
IN favor of doing his duty, notwithstand--
ing the exposed position they were to
defend
The miners called parley and were
met on neutral grounds by Colonel
sewer They stated that they had
sullcieht force to overwhelm tho SOL
dlers, but did not care to shed blood If
tho convicts were quietly turned over
| to them. This request was emphaticallv
refused. The miners then asked Col
| oncl Sewer il he would remove his
troops and take the convicts with him.
lie asked what would be done to tho
mining company's property, which was
also under his protection They replied
That 1t would not be injured. He also
asked II an attack would be made on
the knoxville Iron Company's stock
Just below Briceyille. If such Was in
tended he intended to fall back there
ana night 1T out regardless OF conse-
quences. The leaders replied that no
attack would be made.
The troops then marched out of camn
carrying with them the convicts and ali
theif comm;sSary supplies and baggage
ihey marched to Briceville and there
TOOK the train to Knoxville. The pro-
mise not 10 attack the Knoxville com
panieS stockadc has already been yio-
lated and tho 1900 conyicts at that
pace were put on train and sent to
hnoXvillc. The mob then started for
ui"er Springs, where they also intend
iibcrating tho prisoners. The whole Of
Eastern tennessee IS in sympathy with {
q miners.
After the release Of the conyicts at
hrlccvii;c thiS morning and the troops
ANA convic;s had boon placed on tho
"a n Jhe iuoh went to the mines of tho
Nn XN.!e Iron Company and sur
oNE" q Tho Stockade and captured the
- cpnvic,I there with the guards.
in,y N,'re shipped away to Knoxville
ava Arriv Il here about $50 o'clock. All
nv cis are now here in an old building
under guard
ctll of some labor leaders has been
Issued !Iv Il meeting here TOMORROW
aignt. II Is reported here tonight that
the miners at Olive Springs have re-
Las d the 80 cpnvicts. but at this hour
inc r'rov, has net been verified. The
excitement nero tonight is intensn