Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-17
THE MINERS CHECKED
In Their Assault Upon Oliver Springs
Bat Will Try Once More.
TROOPS HURRY TO THE RESCUE.
Rioters Cut the Wires and Blow Up Rail-
roads With Dynamite.
THE SITUATION AS FAR As NOW KNOWN

CHATTANOOGA, Aug. 16-The troubles
over the employment of convicts OF the
coal mines under the lease system in this
State are coming fast, eliminating in
pitched battle at Oliver Springs mines this
morning
The controversy between free eainers and
the State authorities commences q year ago
at Briceville, when the miners arose en-
masse and liberated the convicts, burning
the stockade and hurling defiance at the,
State authorities. The militia was called
out and quelled the disorder, and detach-
ment of troops conducted the eonvicts back
to Briceville, and has been guarding them
ever since.
The Legislature was called in extra ses-
sion to remedy the trouble, but failed to do
So The miners were very restive, and fire.
quent rumors were afoat of probable out
breaks. The garrison at Coal Creek was
strengthened and detachment of 80 State
Guards placed in charge of the convict
stockade at Oliver Springs
The Troubles Since Saturday.
On Saturday there was an outbreak at
Tracy City mines, where $50 convicts were
at work. The guards made no resistance;
} the convicts were put on train and sent to
Nashville, and the stockades were burned.
On Monday the same thing occurred at In
man, where about 400 more convicts we're
sent away and the stockades destroyed. The
miners met no resistance, but 20 men are
now under indictment for rioting.
The only other remaining convict camps
are at Briceville and Oliver Springs The
troops at the former place kept the miners
at bay, so all eyes turned to Oliver Springs.
Early this morning about 900 free miners
were observed by Head Warden Farris ap-
preaching the stockade. As they marched
in a solid body the leader was heard to e1-
claim: ''Close up, boys, and let's take 'em;
-- them" The Warden shouted
back: "Come and get us if you can"
Then the miners opened hot fusilade
from two sides. The firing continued for
some time, the miners advancing all the
the time. The guards, entrenchPd behind
the stockade, responded with CALLING fire,
and soon two or three of the miners were
seen to fall and one guard was wounded.
Miners Determined on Another Attack.
The miners hoisted flag OF truce and
asked permission to carry of their wounded.
This was granted, and three wounded men
were removed. The miners snllenly with
drew to cover and prepared for a second at
tack.
The news of the skirmish was flashed all
over the State, the first official contirma-
t1on being dispatch from the Adjutant
General to Colonel Gator Woolford, direct
ing him to order out the Third Regiment of
the Tennessee National Guard and report
with all available men at once at Oliver
Springs.
The riot alarm was sounded at the Court
House, and soon mounted officers were seen
in all parts of 1;he city. Much delay was
experienced, owing to the iDdisposition of
the militia to obey the call to arms; but at
1920 Companies A and B, with about 30
men, left for the front via Knoxville.
This afternoon a band of hundred
miners, armed with Winchesters, took
possession of a train on the Knoxville and
Ohio Railroad at Coal Creek en- route for
Clinton, where they hoped to be able to in
tercept reinforcements, but they were too
late.
The Use OF Dynamite Resorted to.
The miners are dynamiting, in q dozen
places, the Knoxville and Oliver and Knox
willie and Waldens Ridge Railroad intend
ing to wreck any train carrying militia.
Tonight the through mail trains could not
go forward, and it is believed the United
States authorities will interfere.
MluerS III anu drOuuu COdl Oreek nave Qes
cided to aid in q second attempt to release
all convicts at oliver Springs and thereby
secure help enough to defeat the State
troops and release the cohvicts at Coal
Cree, but up to last accounts no trouble was
reported.
The browning outrage of the miners was
perpetrated tonight in the capture of
passenger train which passed Coal Creek
about dark. Eighty-two miners, all heavily
armed, boarded it, placed pistols at the
head of the conductor and fireman
and made them carry them back to
Clinton, where the coaches were detached
and the passengers left terrorized. Tho
miners then hitched on two coal cars and
forced the engineer to take them to Oliver
Springs. They refused to pay fare and SIM
ply had their own way by outlawry.
At II P. M. telegraphic communication
was reopened with Oliver Springs by re-
porter, who tapped the wire and 10 using
box relay.