The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-04-26

NASHVILLE, Tenn. April 20.-Aiter the
destruction of the stockade last summer
and the liberation OF the convicts the
miners at Tracy were in high spirits For
a time they lsbOred under the impression
that they had forever driven the convicts
from the mountains OF Grundy county.
and that they would no longer be forced
TO contend with the obnoxious and cheap
class OF labor. However, it was but
short time until the zebras again
bobbed up at the mines in
increased numbers The stockade had
been rebuilt and strengthened. and an
additional guard force has been en-
plOyed. There were some bitter COM
ments because of the return of the con-
victs, but the Tennessee coal, iron and
railroad officials acted 80 cleverly toward
the alleged leaders of the miners and tie
men who had been in instruction that
after awhile amicable relations were APP
psrently resumed and things went
along in harmonious manner.
After Revenge.
But the spirit of revenge still fingered
in the breasts OF many OF the younger
and more head-stronG element. They
talked over their alleged wrongs while at
work in the mines. discussed them in
groups, and at last began to hold secret
meetings in the wooded iastnesses AT
these meetings the older heads were con-
spicuous by their absence. They had
a. hak .
to further object to the labor OF their
competitors. Many of them had been
given work again after the trouble of last
summer, the lessees agreeing to
let by-gones be by-gones. The few
leaders in the previous tragedy advised
peace and sticking to all agreements.
The rougher, however, determined to 20
ahead, openly Boosting that they could
muster enough men to accomplish their
object One Sunday, about month ago,
a meeting was held by these malcouteDts,
and at its conclusion a couple OF dynamite
cartridges were exploded as a signal that
the attack would soon be made. Some
two weeks ago another meeting, at which
there were about eighty miners, was held
and the planiof attack agreed upon, which
was attempted to be carried out Wednes-
day night
Rumors of the Attack.
Warden Burton was in Nashville on
Wednesday. Deputy Warden w. SILVER
being in charge. Early in the day the
Tracy City agents of the Tennessee coal,
iron and railroad company received what
they deemed reliable information that
Il. II hak
night. Their information was at once
conveyed to the officials at the stockade
and TO President n. Baxter in this city.
That gentleman at once notified Adjutant-
Gen. Fife, as has already been stated,
and the troops were ordered TO
be in readiness to move at
moments notice. A telegram was
sent to Warden Burton and he lett at once
for the front. arriving there about 8 D. m.
Deputy Warden Shriver had not been idle.
and when his chief reached the stockade
he found forty men on guard amply sup
piled with ammunition. Pickets had
been posted outside the stockade and
spies had been detailed TO ascertain the
time and method OF attack. 1t had been
brought TO the attention of the deputy
warden that the attack would be made at
| a. IN. yesterday.
Shortly alter dark great black clouds
banked up against tho sky, and as the
night wore on the thunder began to roll
and the lightning 20 flash. 1t was an Om-
nous scene, and just such q ight as would
suit the dark purposes OF the indictments.
The lights in the stockade were burning
brightly, but there was death-like still.
mesa over all. The convicts were restless
and the guards moved to and fro and
seemed to realize that possibly the long
loOked-for opportunity to gain their liberty
was about TO come. They had heard of
the threatened attack, and as they lay in
their cots discussed it in whispers.
\ Knock at the Door.
A few minutes before IL o'clock last
night Deputy Warden Shriver, Sheriff
Sanders and ex-Sheriff Dejarnette heard
loud knock at the stockage gate. In
stantly the ponderous gate swung back
on Its hinges and there in the gloom stood
three men heavily armed.
upon what terms will you release the
convicts?" asked the taller OF the men, a
strapIng Young fellow about twenty-five.
They will not be released al all, re-
piled the brave deputy.
well we have them" said the leader,
at the same time saying that he and his
companions represented 700 miners, and
that they had the dynamite and the arms
to do it with. Then he held up in his
hand a dynamite cartridge such as is
used in blasting away slate in the mines,
and was on the eve OF making threaten
ing movement. when the deputy warden
and the deputy sheriff seized him, and
dragging him inside the gate, closed it.
As soon as their mpanion was seized,
and before the guards could get their
hands on them the other two walked
rapidly away. brandishing their arms as
they went. Sheriff Sanders ordered the
guards to fire upon them, but for some
reason this was not done.
The Battle IL On.
The captured miner had hardly been
gotten inside the little room near the gate
before the guards heard the pstter OF the
eaden hail from q score OF weapons. BY
a preconcerted signal tho shots came from
every aide of the stocksde, and the garri-
son was for moment carried completely
OF their feet. The miners had closed in
on the stockade and were actually poking
the muzzles of their guns through the port
holes. In an instant the guards were at
their posts. and then the salute from the