Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-08-29
TIED TO A SPEEDING CAR.
WRATHFUC STRIKERS PREPARE AN
AWFUL DEATH FOR A PRISONER.
Gilbert Rice's Horrible Treatment at the
Hands Of the Tennessee BIob-His Life
Saved by a Pole.

Gilbert Rice's Horrible Treatment at the
Hands Of the Tennessee SIob-His Life
Saved by a Pole.
lBy Telegraph to the Evening Journall
NEW YORK, Aug. 29-Gilbcrt g. Rice
the man whose suiTerings at the hands of
a mob of Tennessee miners did so much
in the recent strike to turn sentiment
against the strikers, was at the Grand
Central depot yesterday afternoon.
To a reporter Mr.. Rice gave a descrip-
ton of the thrilling scene in which he
narrowly escaped death About IA
month ago, said he, 81 visited
Altamont, Tenn, to purchase land
determined upon piece of
forest between the North Carolina and
St. Louis railroad and the Elk river.
climbed the side of a mountain, blazing
the trees along the route. On my return
| lost my way. 1t was nearly dusk when
heard voices ahead of me | peered
through an opening and saw a group of
miners talking with two men with demi-
Johns ] saw that it was secret meet
ing of some sort and thought it wise to
get away quickly. But | stepped on a
twig, which cracked and In a moment
they were upon me
From their conversation | found that
they were band of strikers who had
come into the forest TO negotiate with
Illicit distillers for a supply of liquor
The miners were for killing me at once
but moonshiners protested, saying il
would only bring down on them the
wrath of the government. was kept a
prisoner several days in hopes that
would give some details of the onyict
camp. l frankly admit that lied about
/ the matter and gave much pretended in.
/ formation in exchange for food
But after the miners had made a
charge, based on my misleading informa-
/ tion and We're repulsed most severely,
/ their anger knew no bounds. Cross eX-
animation elected the fact that had
never visited the convict camp and the
miners determined to make an example
of me- meeting was held and the
most painful death was discussed. The
meeting was held near an old freight car
that had been side tracked on a steep in.
cline and its presence offered a sugges
tion that was quickly acted upon
1T was decided TO tie me by the neck
to one end of the lariat and fasten the
other emu to the car and then set the car
to rolling down the grade. The decision
was quickly carried ont. The moose was
drawn around my neck and the brakes
loosened. One of the miners dropped
the moose from my neck to my waist
"As the car started the lariat
Strengthened out and l took ster
forward, then another and another until
/ found it difficult to keep up. The sides
of the track were lined with a ieering
mob of miners. At a curve in the road
was lost to their sight.
There was a sudden turn as the cai
flew around and at the end of the taui
lariat felt myself flying through space
had gone off on tangent and the
rope near the car struck a telegraph
pole. The rope wound itself rapidly
around the pole. There was sharp re
port as the lariat parted and the cal
went ON.
Hours later | revived and got FIRE,
from the lariat which had torn the hesl
about my loins into shreds. Two ribs
were broken and / was bruised all over
found a squatter's hut and two day
later was in Knoxville / have been very
i'll ever since. My weight has fallen from
POS pounds three weeks ago to 100 now
aud the shock has turned my hair white.
Redfern. Alexander & Company, merchant