St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-01
TENNESSEE TERRORS.
Particulars Of the Assault on
the Stockade at Brice-
vile Mines.
Over Three Hundred Convicts
Turned Loose and Flames
Set at Work.
The Movement Was Planned
So That Failure Was I'm
possible.
Rioters May Meet Severe Re-
tribution--Convicts Re-
port for Duty.

r KNOXVILLE, Oct. 31.-A reporter has
just returned from Briceville and Coal
creek. He found everything quiet. but
groups of men could he seen everywhere
discussing the event of last night. The
BriceviIle stockade with the exception
of the north wall and the rife pit,
were burned. Ten eight-room
houses and a large dining hall
inside of the Enclosure went in the gen
eral confagration. AT the lower end of
the Coal Creek stockade the Office build
ing was burned and the guard ''shacks"
demolished.
The interior of the convictS' dining
hall, sleeping room, hOspital-ward and
kitchen were filled with broken furni-
ture. shattered glass and queensware.
The store of Warden Jack Chumley
at this point was rifled and about
81, 800 worth of goods were taken and
destroyed. The citizens at Briceville
began to hear squads of men passing
through the place on their way to the
stockades at 8 o'clock Friday night.
Gathering for Business.
This was kept up for nearly an hour.
1t was about 9:30 when 200 men de-
Scended Walden's ridge, approaching
the stOckade from the east. They called
upon Warden Cross TO deliver the KEYS
of the prison. While this was going on
the magazine was blown up and the
stockades surrounded by 1900 men, and
Cross gave up the keys. and when the
14l cOnvicts were released they assisted
i'll burning and destroying the property.
hn OtN nj ,rtx-
the Chumley or Coal Creek StOckade,
and halt was made near there and
twenty-five men were sent forward to
demand the surrender of the convicts.
The men kept up continuous volleys
from their Winchesters. Only one
guard was on duty, and he lost
no time in Obeying. The con-
victs were told to go and many
of them at Briceville were given citi-
Gems clothes. When the convicts were
liberated they plundered Chumley's
store and destroyed the stCckade furni-
ture. The office building was set on fire
by the overturning of a stove.
bombs and Cannon.
The mob then descended to the val
ley, where they set off several dyna-
mite bombs and fired a small cannon
they had with them. The racket Oc-
casioned by these discharges. together
with the explosion of the ammunition
stored at the Briceville stockade
which the fire touched off, Gre
ated the impression among non-par-
Elephants that small war was in prog
reSS. This, however, was not the case,
as there wasn't single shot fired at
any man or any person i'll violence.
The woods and fields and railroad
tracks surrounding the two stock
AIDES were generously strewn with
the striped suits of the re-
leased cOnvicts. ConvIcts in gangs
of tens and twenties were yesterday
wandering all over the surround
ing country. One convict arrived at a
small settlement near Coal Creek to-
day who was still in his stripes, and he
was quickly. however, sent on his way
rejoicing. Several gangs have been
seen at various points along the x. q
o. yesterday.
Wherever they asked for help it was
freely given by the natives. A citizen
of Coal Creek pointed out group OF
neil to the reporter. remarking that the
men are not of this place, but when
asked where they came from the citizen
shut up like clam.
The situation was unchanged at mid
night. Everything Is quiet at the seat
Oliver Springs says that. while every
thing is quiet there. the people look for
the miners to come there to release 300
convict miners confined at that point.
Three Hundred Loose.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Oct. 81. The
news which reached this city last night
and this morning of the release by 5000
miners of the convicts working i'll the
mine at Bricevllle and Coal Creek, and
the reports of bloodshed, was received
with interest here. The number of
convicts released at Briceville was 1853,
and at Coal Creek 143; total, BOG.
The governors office presented an an
mated appearance this morning. The
governor and other state officials, con-
stituting the state board of prison in
spectors were in conference, and callers
interested in one way or another
in the affair were numerous. Among
those who called were Gen. Weak
Guard of Tennessee; Col. Jack Spur.
of the First regiment, who was awaiting
instructions in case the military should
be called out; Warden Blevins and
Deputy Warden Patter, of the main
prison, and Col. A. s. Colyear, counsel
for DIR. William Morrow, sub-lessee of
the convicts who were working at
Briceville for the Tennessee Coal
and Mining company. The convicts
working at Coal Creek, it may be men
toned. are sub-let by the lessees to the
Knoxville Iron company. which Oper-
ates the Coal Creek mines.
The first telegram received by Gov.
Buchanan was from L. L. Alleman, as
sistant inspector of labor, and was as
follows:
Knoxville, Oct. 31.-1 just came from
Briceville. About 1000 miners attacked the
stockade. released the convicts and gave
them citizens clothes. AT 30 the miners
came to the stockade and began an attack.
The next dispatch that reached the
governor read:
Knoxville. Oct 3i.-Guards overpowered:
convicts released at Coal Creek and Rrice-
vile. NJ F YEAKIFY
Convicts Report for Duty.
Mr.. Yeakley is warden at the branch
prison at Coal Creek. The next dis
patch, in spite of the recognized gravity
of the situation, caused some amuse-
ment among those who became ac-
quaInted with its contents. lt was adj
dressed to the governor, was dated
Clinton, Oct. 81, and was as follows:
ME and 160 Of us who were working at
BTieeyille were turned loose last. night by
miners They burned up everything then.
We are loose at Clinton together. What
shall do! RICHARD HuNTER. .Uolored."
Coy; Buchanan entered into tsle-
graphic; communication with Attcffey
Genera! lieeih:4ie. new at kiieyriihsiee, hatt
no definite plan of action was formu-