People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1892-08-19
TIE TENNESSEE MINERS.
THE MOVEMENT AGAINST CONVICT
LABOR RENEWED.
Further Collision OF Free Miners and
Militia may be Avoided by
Removing the COnVicts.

CHATTANOOGA, aug. II.-II0 O1Ae1eCa-
nooga Contingent Army of Tennessee"
is now in the field for the protection of
the mining properties Of the Anderson
county coal fields to the number Of 620
At the latest information they had
reached Hartman, seventeen miles west
Of Oliver Springs, where they stopped for
breakfast, expecting to go forwards at any
moment. The guards in the stOckade
were reinforced last night by the timely
arrival Of twenty. hit militiame1 from
Knoxville, after a ride full Of excitement
and surrounded by unknown danger en-
route. All sorts of rumors are current as
to the number Of miners who are ready
to attack or prepare for some new form
OF lawIessness. Various estimates are
made of the number of these law-break-
ers, some of the estimates running up
into thousands, and the general opinion
prevails that the "w0ods are full Of
them" The number may be greatly ex-
aggerated, but they doubtless have a re
serve force which will number fully
e, 600 resolute men. Injured to hardship
and fatigue, many Of them veterans Of
the late war, and should they break out
into open rebellion and defy the troops
sent to Quen the rebellion, they will
prove a very difficult body Of men to
handle, familiar a. they are with all the
mountain retreats, passes and by.ways.
Conservative people think they viii not
oppose the troops, their main object SEEM
ing to be to create a public sentiment
which will destroy any favor which ex-
lists towards the convict lease system.
Already expressions are common that
the lease system must go
A special session of the legislature was
called last January for this purpose, but
adjourned without action, and the free
miners have taken this method to enforce
some definite action. The stockade
which was last night attacked is four
miles from Oliver Spring, and the troops
now enroute for that point are confident
that they will meet with opposition, but
are determined to face any number Of
rioters who may come in their way
The miners have taken forcible posses
siongof apassenger train and left It stand
ing on the tracks while the engine was
used by them to transport crowd Of 200
to the scene of their attacks.
Judge Moon Of this circuit, now hold
ing court in Jasper, Marion county, near
the scene Of the Monday attack, madeEa
vigorous charge to the grand jury, sum-
moned a strong posse and will put forth
an effective quietus on the doings of any
more MODS in that district In the
county where the trouble now exists the
situation is entirely different as the
courts are not in session. The commun-
ity is largely in sympathy with the
miners and processes of law are not avail
able. Judge Moons address to the grand
jury of Marion county was scathing
one, full of fire and determination. AS
ISOLATED with him is Foster Brown, at
torney general, and his aide, A. Fl. Trew-
HIT, aud those three will stand like a
stone-wall not only to prevent further
depreciation, but to bring punishment on
the heads of all offenders.
KNOXVILLE, TENN, August 17-Last
night the miners at Coal Greek, JeIli-
CO, and Newcomb and other points on
the Knoxville and Ohio railroad seized
three trains and compelled the train
men to take them to Olive Springs.
The crowd numbered in all 1900 men,
including the miners at the latter
point. The warden heard Of their APP
prOach and when the miners were at
least mile from the stockade abandon
ed his post and with the conVicts and
guards marched mile to surrender.
The miners were led by D. T. Moore,
who makes no attempt to disguise the
part he took. The guns of the militia
men were taken from them and they
reached Knoxville about Z O'Clock to-
night.
The wires are cut beyond Clinton
and nothing can be heard, but the
universal belief is that Coal Greek
will be attacked before morning. At
least $500 men are congregated there,
and the miners say they can secure
5000 men if necessary.
The Chattanooga contingent didn't
reach the scene of action at all, al
though three trains gave them ample
opportunity. They numbered sixty
five men and were all day inactive at
Hartman, seventeen miles from
Olive Springs. 1t is impossible now
to reinforce Capt. Anderson at the
Greek and the whole brunt of the bat
tie will fall on Capt. Anderson and