The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-19
TIE RATTLE AT TC0ALCREEK
The Miners-After Desperate Fight Cap
ture the Troop.

Knoxville. TENN. August ls.-Captain
Keller Anderson. who for nearly a year has
held the convicts at Coal Creek. is in the
bands Of the miners st last. The latest re-
ports which are reliable is that the battle at
Camp Anderson was commenced as early as
10 this morning. For several hours the
firing was not general. About O'Clock
miners to the number Of 1000 made an or
ganiZed assault on the fort and were sue
cessfully repulsed.
The second assault was easily repulsed.
The third attempt resulted IN regular
pitched battle and the Gatlings got In gheir
work. but to what extent is not known.
Several of the assaIlants were wounded aud
some probably killed, but no one knows Tor
certain.
The fort occupies the crest of hill COM
handing a range OF Coal Creek valley Tor
five miles east and west. To the north is a
spur of the valley in which the stockade or
the Knoxville Iron Company is located. 1t
would be impossible for the miners TO
reach the stockade as long ~
the fort holds out. They would be
compelled 10 take it before they could reach
the stookade. To the southwark from the
fort stretches Waulden ridge which is very
steep on tho northern sides and easy OF as,
cent from the south to the top. For several
uheS ls "a holioS va k''N' i""bN
natural fortress. The distance from
Fort Anderson across the valley 10 the
top Of Walden Ridge is about fourteen hun
dred yards. On the top of the ridge tho min
ers had planted two field pieces furnished
them by sympathizers in Kentucky. On
the north sides of the ridge and the
creek skirting the foot OF Anderson
Hill is a dense growth Of hemlook and
and laurel. The assailants OF the fort had
all the advantages Of the hiding, and II one
OF their number should be either killed or
wounded he could be hastily removed 10 a
place of safety without any one being the
wiser No one is allowed 10 approach within
a mile OF the fort unless he IA known TO be
in sympathy with the miners, therefore 1t is
impossible 20 get names or the number oil
the killed or wounded.
ANDHRsoN's CAPTURE.
Between the FIRST and second assault on
this fort three miners were CAPTURED. They
sent up flag Of truce TO Captain Anderson
70 ask for release. He was expecting such
message and met the men on equal
grounds. He WAS seized by several OF the
miners aud rushed down the hill
and finally taken 90 one OF the
hotels in the village, where no IS
guarded by Bob Lindsay, q deputy United
They won't agree to give him up unless the
conyiots are withdrawn. In the meantime
Burt Lindsay. q desperate character 10 try
inr TO organize mob 10 lynch Anderson,
The fort is surrounded by several hundred
we'll armed men. Ihis is one story.
The miners have another TO the effect
that Captain Anderson was drunk and out
side of the fort and the boys picked hin
up without trouble. He has so far made nc
statement. Hls force of 100 men are still
holding the fort. The mon have been on
short rstions for three days. Every avenue
of supply has been cut on.
WILL PROBABLY KIND THE TROUBLE.
KNoxyILLF. Tenn, August 19.-The
Knoxville Iron Company. lessees of the
branch penitentiary at Coal Creek, have
given the Governor twenty days
notice that they will give up
their lease and tnFn the
conviots over to the State authorities. Thi;
decision il laid before the miners will pro
badly put An end to the whole trouble.