St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-08-17
FIGHT IN TENNESSEE,
Three Miners Attack Oliver
Springs Stockade and Are
Repulsed.
Several Guards Killed and
Some Miners Are Also
Laid Low.
Eastern Tennessee Terribly
Excited Over the Grave
Situation.
Militia Ordered Out, but Are
Very Slow to Obey the
Summons.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 16.-The
liberation of convicts has set Eastern
Tennessee on fire with excitement, and
bloody fights seem inevitable at Oliver
Creek and Coal Springs. At the latter
place militia have been on duty ever
since the riot. For some time the rela-
tons between the soldiers and miners
have been strained. and shots have been
exchanged between them.
This morning at 5 o'clock an attack
was made on the StOckade at Oliver
Springs by the miners, and two or three
guards were killed and several miners
killed and wounded. This afternoon
several companies of militia were sent
TO Oliver. They reached there in safety,
but no news can be had. as the rioters
have cut the wires and with drawn re-
YJlvers hold the telegraph office.
The issue is grave one. 1t is be-
lieyed that the United States autho1i-
ties will Interfere.
Cuiulination of LawIessness.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, Aug. 16.-The
troubles over the employment of con-
victS as miners eliminated in pitched
battle at Oliver Springs this morning.
The trouble began year ago when the
miners burned the store and hurled def
ance at the authorities. The militia was
called out and detachment of troops
conducted the convicts back to Brice-
Vile and has been guarding them ever
since. The legislature was called III
extra session to remedy the trouble, but
failed to do so.
f. The miners were very restive, and
frequent runners were atioat of out
breaks. The garrison at Coal Creek
was strengthened and detachment of
thirty state guards placed in charge OF
the convicts' stockade at Oliver Springs
Saturday there was an outbreak at
Tracy City, mines, where $50 convicts
were at work. The guards made no re-
sistance, the convicts were put Oh a
train and sent to Nashville and the
stockades burned. Monday the same
thing occurred at lnman and about 400
coDvicts we're sent away and the stock
AIDES destroyed. The miners met with
no resistance, but twenty are now under
Indictment for rioting.
First Resistance.
ls
camps are Brceville and Oliver Springs
The troops at the former place kept the
miners at bay, and all eyes turned to
Oliver Springs. Early this morning
about 600 free miners were seen by
Head Warden FarriS approaching the
stockade. They marched in a solid
body, and a leader was shouting:
''Close up boys and let's take them!
Cd them"
The warden yelled back: "Come and
get US ii you cam Then the miners
pened 4 fuSilade from two sides, and
firing continued for some time. The
guards entrenched behind the stockade,
responded with a CALLING fire, and soon
two or three of the miners were seen to
fail and one guard was wounded.
The miners hoisted flag of truce and
asked permission to carry off their
wounded. This WIS granted, and the
wounded men were removed and the
miners sullenly withdrew and prepared
for a second attack.
The news of the skirmish was flashed
all over the state, the first official con-
firmation being a dispatch from the
adjutant general to Col. Cowager order
ing him 10 send out the state militia.
Soon mounted officers were seen in all
parts of the city, but much delay was
experienced, owing to the indispositiOn
of the militia to obey the command.
Miiftfamen Scarce.
Col. Woolford has been securing the
city all day for men. Small details have
been doing duty trying to conscript men
for the service. but almost without
avail. At 7:30 B company had supplied
only nineteen men, while e had but
fifteen. The total number of men who
will leave tonight will not reach fifty.
Their equipment is almost mOckery of
modern warfare. No liue of action has
yet been laid out, and it is supposed
that this attempt will be dangerous
repetition of Col. Crooks disaster of
last year.
Oliver Springs, where the latest out
break has occurred. is little mining
town in Anderson county. 1t is on the
Walden's Ridge road. The defenses
consist of block house and about forty
guards. 1t is impossible to say
how many of the miners were
wounded or killed. Two guards were
Slightly hurt. A new company recently
formed at Hartman has gone to the
scene. Twenty-eight men from knox
vile also went to the battle ground
Adjt. Gen. Murray had heavy ord.
nance shipped and boarded the train al
Nashville for the scene of trouble al
4:30. A company will join him here at
9p. III.
The Miners, Oath.
The miners are held bv q strong oath