Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1905-08-31
MILITIA ON Scene
Governor Cox Addresses the
Citizens and Miners Twice
Sunday-UniOn Not Charg-
ed With Crime-Sheriff
Meeks' Deputies Criti.
cized-All Quiet.


tragedy occurred at Tracy City Thurs
day morning about ten o clock, result
ing in the cold -blooded murder of James
Rnst, Jr., and Dick Henley and seri-
ously wonnding John MeGovern.
The mines of the Tennessee Consoh-
dated Company were being opened
with non-nion labor after they had
been idle fourteen months. A few
minutes after work was begun Mine
Foreman J. B. Rmst, Jr., and Miner
Dick Henley. who were standing at
the top of the pits. were instantly kill
ed by volley Of shots fred from am
bush. John McGovern, who was with
Rust and Henley at the top Of the pit,
was seriously wounded.
A dozen shots came in a voiiey. anu
it is thought that eight or ten men
were in the party that did the shoot
ing. A dense thicket concealed the
assassins from view.
Sheriff Meeks Immediately repaired
to the scene and commenced an inves-
tigation. He learned that the shots
had been fred from behind some bush
es about forty feet from the men,
7. B. Rust was formerly bookkeep-
er for the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Rail
road Company, and supported his wild
owed mother and sister. Dick Henley
was 90 years old. He was married
few months ago. John McGovern is
about 40 years old and has family
All three have been considered honor
able, hard-working men.
REWARDS OFFERED.
Citizens met Thursday night and
subscribed 81, 900 as reward for th'
arrest and conviction of the slayers o
Rust and Henley and the assailants o
McGovern, and the coal company ha
offered similar amount. There hav
been no arrests as yet, but there ar
several suspects
The mines near Tracy City, in Grun
DIV County, were shut down about
year ago, following a refusal OF Tn
Tennessee Coal & Iron Company t
sign up the new union scale. E. L
Hampton recently organized the Tenr
essee Consolidated Coal Company, an
leased the Reid Hill and Ramsa
mines. J. B. Rust and John McGoN
ern sub-leased the Ramsay mine an
started to operate it Thursday mornin
with non union labor.
The Tennessee Consolidated Comps
nv has persistently refused to recognii
the miners union. Several hundrt
men have been on strike for over
year and the feeling against the col
pany has been very bitter. Troub
was freely predicted when the col
pany announced its intention OF ope
ing with non-union men.
TROUPS CALLED FOR.
Gov. Cox on Friday received fro
Sam ]. Meeks, Sheriff of Grun
County, telegram stating that It
situation was serious at Tracy CIT
that more trouble was feared, and
asked if the State could be relied up
to furnish troops ing an emergency
The action of the sheriff was inspir
from the fact that the miners W.
holding a mass meeting in the woo
few miles east of Tracy City to c'
slider signing of wage contracts w
other mining companies here, and p
siblv the sheriff was misinformed
to the purport of the meeting. G'
Cox replied, directing the Sheriff
preserve order at all hazards, and
State would aid if necessary, and nj
self started for the scene of action
GOVERNOR SPEAKS.
GOV. Cox arrived in Tracy City ;
urday night, and Sunday afternoon
dramatic scene was enacted when u
|. Cox, Governor of Tennessee, sp
10 the citizens of the town first in
Auditorium of Shook College and
ter in the hall Of the United NJ
= Workers. The situation was inten'
grave. and there were ugly and mu
erous stories circulating, spread
augmented by panie-stricken citiz'
Goy Cox said 'Imean 70 pres'
law and order here If it takes all
power oi the state If Tennessee q
H.. The Governor spoke calmly
deliberately. Among other things