The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-07-21
TROOPS AND MINERS
The Militia ana COnvicts at Coal
Creek Captured.
TENNESSEE Is VERY INDIGNANT
The Sentiment is that the Authority Of the
State Must be Maintained-The
State Has Been Insulted.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, July 20.-A special
from Priceville says: The crisis came at
Priceville today about IL o'clock when the
miners and crowd of sympathisers from
the surrounding country gathered around
the camp of the state militia and captured
the troops and convicts and marched them
to the depot, put them on the train and
shipped them to Knoxville. The camp was
on little knoll in hollow surrounded on
all sides by mountains. The miners and
their friends. to the number of twelve of
fifteen hundred, divided into squads and
approached the camp from four sides.
They sent flag OF truce and committee
to the officer in command. The committee
notified the officers they had come to take
the convicts peaceably if possible, by force
If necessary. The officers parleyed while
and then agreed to surrender. The troops
were allowed to keep their arms and ammu-
milton and with the convicts were marched
10 the train and sent to this city, arriving
about 30. The troops, who number 107,
are at the armory of the Knoxville Rifles,
where they now remain awaiting the gov
ernor's orders. The convicts were locked
in jail 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 five days and
had seen but little in the way OF provisions
and camp equipment. Their faces were
bronzed, but they presented soldierly
appearance as they marched up the street.
Leading men of ali political parties say the
law must be upheld. The sympathy, which
had been entirely on the side OF the miners,
is now against them for their lawless act
at time when everything was being done
to relieve the situation.
The mob to-day is celebrating the vic
tory by cheering, carousing and shooting.
A force of 500 men properly equipped and
led could subdue the entire party, Tor they
have no idea of openly facing good force.
They knew to-day from statements made
them yesterday, that the troops would not
fight; but every one feels that the mob has
made bad mistake aud will be subdued.
In other words, they have lost public sym
pathy. 1t is reported here that ten COM
panies Of state militia are en- route with
arms and Calling guns, and that they will
be taken to Coal Creek at once. A report
also comes from Coal Greek this afternoon,
saying the miners have declared no troops
can be landed there. There are threats
they will wreck the trains or burn the rail-
way bridges. The miners are getting the
best wages ever paid them, and make from
$50 to $50 per month, according TO ability
and amount Of time put in.
When the miners made their attack on
the camp to- day, Lieutenant Chandler, of
the Knoxville Rifles, saluteo the colonel
and volunteered to fight the mob with his
twenty men.
Governor Buchanan's administration is
that of the Alliance, and some politicians
are discussing what the Alliance will do
The great mass of the citizens, however,
say the law must be observed and that
Governor Buchanan must enforce the law,
regardless of caste. The sentiment here is
he must send all the state troops, who are
few and poorly organized, 10 the front at
once and put experienced men and officers
in charge. II he has not force enough he
must call for volunteers. A report has
been circulated here that he has asked the
President for 500 regulars, but the truth of
this cannot be verified.
1t is known the leaders of the mob were
not miners. One Eugene Merrill led them.
He is small merchant at Priceville, but is
said 20 be determined man. Other lead
ers are known. The sentiment here is
that they must be arrested AND taken to
Nashville and punished. The N ne have
appointed a committee to say " nat dis
patches shall be sent out and what not and
this committee. or some OF it, is in the Iele-
graph office all the time and reads all
matter sent out by newspaper men. The
committee told the operator on duty that if
he did not 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 connected with the
affair. Yesterday many were allowed to
go outside to get food and they mingled
freely with the miners. These troops
told the miners they did not want to guard
the id 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 ieered and
hooted them, and yelled: Tell Buck
(Governor Buchanan) to send some more
dudes. We will eat them as fast as they
come"
The citizens say the insult is to the en-
tire state, and that the governor must ar
rest and punish the leaders.