The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-18
THE TENNESSEE REBELLION.
Miners Capture Another StOckade-GOv.
ernOr Doesn't Know What to Do.

ernor Doesn't Know What to Do.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 17.-One hun
dred and seventy miners attacked the
stockade at Oliver Springs last night,
overpowered the guards and sent the con-
victs to Knoxville, whence they will be
brought to this city.
Various estimates are made as to the
number of the miners involved in the
trouble. These estimates may be greatly
exaggerated, but the law breakers doubt
less have a reserve force which will num-
ber fully 20,000 resoiute men, and should
they break into open rebellion and
defy the troops it will prove a very
difficult duty to handle them, familiar
as they are with all the mountain retreats
and passes. Conservative people think
they will hesitate to oppose the troops,
their main object seeming to be to create
sentiment against the convict lease sys-
tenn. The friends of the miners say the
trouble will subside as soon as the mines
are rid of the convicts, but most citizens
fear that it will take the whole power of
the state and possibly the aid of the ma
tiOnal government to quell the disturb
ance. The full force of the state militia
does not exceed 1900 men, and they can
not possibly be brought together inside of
a week. In the meantime, if the miners
persist they will accomplish their ends.
All the Memphis military companies
have been ordered by the governor to the
East Tennessee mining district. The
Chattanooga contingent of the Tennessee
National Guard, numbering $50, is on the
way to Oliver Springs. Governor Bu-
chanan has ordered the sheriffs of Knox,
Hamilton, Morgan and Anderson counties
to summon assistance and proceed at once
to Oliver Springs to protect property and
prevent the release of convicts by
miners. Governor Buchanan says he
does not know what he will do
concerning the convicts sent back to this
city, but inclines to the opinion that the
prison inspectors should declare the leases
void because the lessees claim that the
authorities do not protect them against
the mob and refuse to pay for the support
of the convicts. The grand jury at Jasper
has indicted fourteen insurrectionists, and
many more indictments will follow.
The sheriff is summoning every available
man to go to the seat of war. Governor
Buchanan has called for 5000 recruits,
and 900 are needed from this county.
KNOXVILLE. Tenn, Aug. 17.-Upon the
the story of the surrender of the stockade
at Oliver Springs was learned. Last night
some l 500 miners, armed with Winchester
rifles, seized three trains and compelled the
trainmen to take them to Oliver Springs.
The warden of the stockade at Oliver
Springs heard of their approach and
when the miners were mile away. he as
sembled the guards and convicts and
A.
This action come as a surprise after the
defense made last night. The guns of the
miitiamen were taken from them and the
miners placed the convicts and guards on
the train and sent them to Knoxville.
The miners then went to Coal Greek,
where men from the whole region
were congregating. The universal belief
is that Coal Greek will be attacked before
morning. 1t is impossible now to rein
force Captain Anderson at Coal Creek, and
the whole brunt of the battle will fall on
him and his command Of $50 men.
They have commanding position, are
heavily armed and should give a good
account of themselves. The state is thor
oughly aroused, and men of all classes are
ready to join the law and order party to
aid the military IN restoring quiet, even
at the cost of lives. The sheriff
of Knox county has called
for 500 citizens to go to the relief
of the soldiers at Coal Creek. This is un-
der authority of an order from Governor
Buchanan. Petitions have been sent to the
governor asking him to call upon the gen.
eral government for aid.
Governor Buchanan has authorized the
sheriff of Hamilton county to raise posse
of 800 men and protect Coal Greek.
Knoxville, Aug. l7.-At midnight the
miners at Coal Creek received large
reiuforcements from Kentucky. 4
rumor is strong that Governor
Buchanan tonight ordered General
Anderson to withdraw his troops and
come to Knoxville. 1t is rumored that he
telegraphed TO the miners that he will
withdraw the troops and convicts.