Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1891 — SOLDIERS HAD TO RUN. [ARTICLE]

SOLDIERS HAD TO RUN.

THE TENNESSEE MINERS ARE UP IN ARMS. t Two Thousand Strikers with Rifles Sur* round tlie Militia Cauip at Brlcevitle and Force the Troops to Leave A Bloody War Is Feared. The crisis in tho labor troubles at Priceviiio, Tonn., came when the miners and a crowd of 'sympathisers from tho country surrounded- tho camp of the State militia, captured tho troops and convicts employed in place of the striking miners, marched them off to the depot and put them on a train and shipped them to Knoxville. The camp was on a 1 ttle knoll in a hollow and surrounded on nli sides by mountains. About 2,000 minors, farmers and other natives who have no occupation at ail took possession of the hills around the Brlceville camp. Fifteen hundred of theso were armed with rifles, tho rest had shot-guns and pistols. They came from all tho mines in a radius of fifty miles. The organization was complete ana their leaders placed them along the hillsides witn military precision. At tho call to arms the little garrison turned out gallantly and prepared for defense It was apparent at a glance that a light would result in a massacre. A meeting of thd officers was called. Some declared that a stout resistance to the first attack would bo sufficient and the mob would withdraw. Others thought that it would bo suicidal, yet every one was in favor of doing his duty, notwithstanding the exposed position they wore to defend. Tho miners called a parley and were met on neutral ground by Col. Sevier. They stated that they had sufficient force to overwhelm tho soldiers, but did not care to shod blood if tho convicts were quietly turned over to them. This request was emphatically refused. The miners then asked Colonel Scvi(«- if he would removo his troops and take tho convicts with him. He asked what would bo dono to the mining compauy'9 property, which was also under his protection. They replied that it would not be in-’ jured. He also asked if an attack would be made on tbe Knoxville Iron Company's stockade just below Bricevillo. It such was intended, he would fall back thero ana fight it out regardless of tho consequences. Tho leaders replied that no attack would bo made. The troops then marched out of camp, taking with them the convicts, all their commissary supplies and baggage. They marched to Bricevillo and thero wore loaded in box cars or whatever could bo had, and the entire lot sent to Knoxville. Sympathy, which has been entirely on the side of tho miners, is now against them for their lawless act at a time when everything was being dono to relieve the situation, and the great mass of citizens say tho law must bo observed and that Gov. Buchanan must onforco tho law, regardless of cost. Tho sentiment is that ho must send all tho State troops, who are few and poorly organized, to the front at ouco, and put experienced men and officers in charge. If ho has not force enough he must call for volunteers. A report has been circulated that ho asked the President for 500 regulars, but the truth of this cannot be verified. It is known- that tho leaders of tho mob were not miners, either last week or today. One Eugene Merrill led them in each instance. He is a merchant at Bricoville, but Is said to be a determined man. Ho spoke in reply to Gov. Buchanan last week and really treated the Governor with indignity. Other leaders are known, and the sentiment is that they must bo arrested and taken to Nashville as the law provides, and punished. Tho miners have appointed a committee to see what dispatches shall t e sent out and what not, and this committee or someone of it is in the'teleira; h office all the time and reads all the matter sent out by the newspaper men. The committee, whether self-appointed or by the miners’ organization, told tho o orator on duty at the key that If ho did not lot them read the messages they would cut the wires. The wire is a private one and does all business, including railroad and train disp'atbhfng. Thero are reports that tho railroad company will call for special detectives to-guard their property. Another view of the situation is the danger to capital invested at Coal Creek. Large sums of money have been invested there by men in >few York and other places, and tho great development of the properties Is largely duo to this money. Costly machinery is exposed to the fury of the mota. Citizens say such highhanded outrage will aostroy pubiic confidence, and money will cease to come in for developments now just started. There is another bad feature connected with the affair which lias not yet been brought out. That is the conduct nf the militia that has been on these £ ounds, Many were allowed to go outride to get food, and they mingled freely with the miners. These troops told the miners that they did not want to guard the convicts, and to come and get them at once, that they would not fight , them fer the eonvicts. As the troops : were marched off the miners jeered and hooted them, and yelled, “Tell Buck to ; send some more dudes; we will cat them ! .as last as they come.” Citizens say that the insult Is to the j entire State and that the Governor must ! arrest and punish the leaders. The mob is celebrating its victory by ! cheering, carousing, and shooting. It i ehou d be stated that a force of 500 men, properly e julpped and led, could subduo the entire party, for they have no idea of -openly fac’ng a force. Thev knew from the statements made them that the troops would not fight, but every one feels that tho mob lias made a bad mistake. and that they will be subdued. In other words, they have lost pubiic sympathy. '

The longest day of the., yer.r lias nineteen hours of daylight at St Petersburg, seventeen hours at Hamburg, sixteen and one-fcalf hours at London, fifteen hours at New York, and throe and one-half months at Spitzbcrgen. If genius is to find expression it must employ art for art is the external expression of our thoughts. Many have genius, but wanting art are forever <Himb. The two must go together to form Isie great portrait paiHter, or sculptor. S rscKptibii.ity to the electric current depends largely on the amount of salt in the system. Perhaps that explains why the iresh young man is so hard to shock. Col Jacob R-.tpebt, Jr, of Governor Hill’s staff, has three thoronghbred St Bernard dogs for which be paid $14,010.