Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-08-20
TIE MOB RULES.

ado.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 16.-Ten- |
nessee's convict lease system may be |
considered almost as good as abrogated. |
1t was not done by the processes of
legislation but by mob violence. One
year ago the stoclSades at Coal Creek
and Briceville were burned and
several hundred prisoners set free.
Four months later the convicts
at Oliver Springs were released Sat
urday last the convicts at Tracy City
were sent to Nashville and the
mountain stnckade was burned. Mon
day morning the Inman mines in
Marion county were visited in like
manner, and Monday afternoon the
lessees formerly declared to the gov
ernor that they would not receive the
convicts at the main prison here, feed
them, or have anything to do with
them. This is regarded as almost
equivalent to surrendering the lease.
Trouble at Inman had been looked
for from the time the news came that
the torch had been applied to the
stockade at Tracy City, and the inn
preston was general that Inman would
ere long meet with the same eX-
perience. Monday miners number
ing between $50 and 200 marched
upon Inman and in short
time had captured the guards and
stockade and had ordered the 272
convicts out of the mines, and were en-
route with them to Victoria, where
they were quickly put on board u num-
Der of cars used in hauling coke and
started for Nashville. The stockade was
not burned, as its destruction would en-
tail that of the railroad bridge in the
immediate vicinity, but the miners in
formed the superintendent that while
they would not set it on fire they would
tear it down.
The first information that came to
Vice President Baxter, of the Tennes-
see Coal, Iron & Railroad Company, the
lessees of the convicts was from Vic
toria, which announced that no tele-
graph communication could be had
with Iuman, the wire having
been cut during the night. This
news was an Indication that
trouble might be expected. Then came
dispatches stating that a special
train conveying fourteen extra guards
from Nashville to lnman had been
captured by the miners at trestle a
short distance from Victoria, and that
Warden Burton and the guards had
been forced to return to Victoria,
while the miners, rejoicing over the
stoppage of the train and detention of
the forces, had gone to Inman.
Arriving at Inman they quickly over
| powered the siXty-tive guards stationed
there, meeting with scarcely any re-
sistance. Then they seized the stock
ade, which was well fortified, and be-
ing thus in control of the property of
the lessees they proceeded to
order the convicts to get ready
to march at moments notice to
Victoria. After journey of several
miles the convicts, who were guarded
by the miners and the guards en-
ployed by the lessees, reached Victoria
and were hustled into the cars. The
engineer and conductor were ordered
to move on without delay, but this or
der could not be obeyed because ar
rangements had not been made for the
right of way over the road. This be
ing finally secured, the train moved
out and Inmau was at last free from
convict labor.
Reaching Bridgeport a special trair
was provided and the trip to Nashville
was resumed. The convicts reached
here Monday and were met by tn,
prison officials and a number of guards
who escorted them to the penitentiary
The capacity of the prison is 700, Al
there were already nearly l, 900 convict
within its walls the new arrivals wert
obliged to accommodate themselves n
best they could to the surroundings
Monday night the miners went to th'
Inman stockadc, pulled down one of tn,
barricades, and demolished the build
ings with axes. The loss to the own
ers of the property is $4,000. All of tn,
works belonging to the company vii
close down.
When Gov. Buchanan had been for
mally notified of the seizure of tn
stocllade at Inman, Adjt. Gen. Norman
telegraphed the sheriff of Marion coun
ty to swear in as many deputies as h
might deem necessary and to arres
, as many of the offenders as possible
Judge Moon of the circuit cour
of Marion county ordered the sheriff
to proceed to the scene of the disturb
: ance and enforce law and order. Mon
day night telegram was received b.
{ Gov. Buchanan from the sheriff, VIII
| said that he was helpless and could d
nothing The best citizens are india
nant, but popular feeling exists an
, the people generally are disposed t
: encouraged the act.
{ Later in the evening the compan
, sent the governor formal notifcatio
, to the effect that they would nc
: receive or feed the convicts VIII
4 had been captured by the miners Il
, Inman and broughtt to this city withor
$ their consent. AS soon as the con
= munication was read the governc
e called meeting of the board of priso
). inspectors. The inspectors decided
e not only receive the convicts, but ais
: to supply them with food. Mr.. BaXtC
d said Monday:
n "The company is willing to surrender /
lease contract and leave the state free to NAL