The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-19
EXCITEMENT AT KNOXVILLE.

Citizens Armed with Winchesters Leave for
the Scene Report OF the Battle.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. Aug. 16-Old citizens
were reminded Of war times when two
companies of soldiers started down the
principal street toward the Knoxville e.
Ohio railroad yards, at S:45 this afternoon,
followed by $50 citizens armed with Win
chester rifles and double barreled shot
guns. They marched double quick, ana from
the crowds on the sidewalks there arose
cheer upon cheer. Women who were out
shopping were taken by surprise at the
first appearance of this martial-looking
body of men. but they waved their hand
kerchiefs and smiled upon the volunteers.
Sheriff Holloway and q half dozen dep
uties were busy the whole fore
noon notifying citizens that they
Greek in the event of actual hostilities in
that direction. Many of the wcalthiest
and most substantial citizens. weary of
the reign of lawlessness and anarchy, vol.
unteered. 1t was understood that If their
services were needed the alarm would be
sounded from the courthouse tower. The
alarm was sounded abont 3 o'clock. on the
receipt Of the news of lighting at Coal Greek,
and In five minutes nearly two hundred
mon had assembled in the court house,
whore all the arms obtalnable were dis
tributed. The citizens were divided int to
two companies one commanded by Major
Carpenter, q brave soldier in the federal
army, and pension agent here under Glove
land: the other commanded by Capt. w. L..
LedRerwood. a well-known ex-soldier and
Democratic politician.
The two companies were composed of
men of all classes. The confederate veter-
an marched side by side with O robust
negro. and capitalist and workingman kept
perfect time to the inspiration of the mo-
ment The line of march from the court
house TO the railroad yards. where q train
Of four coaches stood waiting, covered
more than q mile. Before the train started
thousands of people had gathered
in the ,.;ns,g nssighboIhood. "a and .SI1 train
bridges, as we'll as vacant grounds in the
yards were soon sea of humanity. As
the train pulled out cheer after cheer ront
the cir. and as 1t was lost to sight in the
labyrlnth of freight cars the huzzas of the
departing volunteers were taken up and
Despite the cheerful surrounding.
under the surface there was feeling o
dread. At Clinton the volunteers were
met by q mum Der of citizens of Knoxville,
madness to go forward without reinforce
ments. A thousand armed miners, they
said, were drawn up ready to fire on them
as they alighted from the train, and
dynamite was everywhere, Major Car
penter heard them through, and then,
turning to his men. said: Boys. guess
we'll 60 on" and they went. The wires
are down. and beyond Clinton they have
not been heard from.
At Clinton. the sounds of battle were
plainly heard and there ia no doubt that
deadly fighting grages hey ond the mountains.
The possible fate of the Knoxville troops at
this hour Is o'clock) is leaking out from the
newspaper and telegraph offices, and thOu-
sands of angry, excited men. line the
streets and curse Governor buchanan foI
his weakness and the miners for their mad.
ness. The courthouse bell is again ring.
ing the riot call, and excited people are
rushing in that direction. Men arc volun-
teerinG, but there are no arms.
Atop. NJ. General Carnes, with four hun
dred men, arrived atiknoxville. and went
Immediately to the front It was suggest.
ed that force of volunteers be raised &c
20 to the relief of the citizens who started
sion was taken up. and the riot alarm was
ruDg for half an hour. Three hundred good
citizens gathered at the courthouse and
offered their services to Sheriff Holloway
The United States government has five
hundred army muskets stored here and per.
mission to use them has been asked of the
proper authorities. If q favorable answer
is received the volunteers will leave BY
epecal train at the earliest opportunity
The opinion Is growing that an awfu
loss of life of good citizens and innocent
men can only be averted by prompt
action of the Governor in calling on the
President to send federal troops TO the
scene of action. The Knoxville Iron Com.
pany, lessees of the branch pcnitentiary VI
Coal Creek have given the Governor TWEEN
ty days notice that they will give up the
lease and turn the convicts over to the
State authorities. This decision. if laid be
fore the miners. would probably put an enc
TO the whole trouble