Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1891 — CONVICTS AT LARGE. [ARTICLE]

CONVICTS AT LARGE.

A Peculiar and Dangerous State ~’of AffairsThe Authorities are Powerless to Act, and Ito not Know What to Do—Fonr Hnndrcd and Fifty Free. The last convict has left the Warden's Ridge mining region. The stockades ar? dismantled or burned, and more than fou r hundred and fifty desperadoes roam the mountains and valleys of northeastern Tennessee. Through the acts of these miners in violating the law, where the law refused them aid, the government and the people of Tennessee finds themselves faced by a complicated and perilous situation. Governor Buchanan has confessed that he does not know what to do. and for once men of all parties are in sympathy. The situation is -this: An armed and organized body of men has marched ..unopposed. llirough a considerable part of the State; lias demanded and received tho surrender of the State's property, has released the State's prisoners—convicts of Hie worst stripe—yet. it is impossible to pursue or face this small army of revolutionists, because this army melts away as completely as if it had never existed when It has struck a blow and then reassembles silently, ready to strike the next blow. It is fully armed and organized, perhaps the best equipped corps jof sharpshooters ever gotten together. Yet the names and homes and identity of the leaders are unknown. The whole incident was set on foot by tho workingmen for the lives of theipselves, the living of their families, and this phase of the affair makes the other side of the question, which at first seems to illustrate only the eeklessne ss in fleeing criminals.. The first wild-cat known to be In Craw-ford-gounty for many years, was killed on the sth, by some coon hunters. The animal was killed by dogs which had no reputation further than for “treeing” game* and they had it killed before- Um hunters reached the game. The lucky sportsmen are James PA Jones aud Charly , Brown, but they generously give the dogs credit for the affair. ■