USA > Tennessee > History of Tennessee, its people and its institutions > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
479. The Hermitage Association and the Soldiers' Home .- Soon after Governor Taylor's entrance upon his second term, in 1889, the Legislature enacted the law establishing the Confederate Soldiers' Home, and the Ladies' Hermitage Association. Many years previously the State purchased the homestead tract of the Hermitage estate, con- sisting of five hundred acres, on which was the former residence of Gen. Andrew Jackson. Under the law of 1889, this tract was divided. The residence, with twenty-five acres, was entrusted for preservation to the care of an association of ladies, known as the "Ladies Hermitage Asso- ciation," of which Mrs. Sallie MI. Lindsley is now the Regent, and Mrs. Mary C. Dorris is the Secretary.
The remainder of the tract, consisting of 475 acres, was donated as a home for "maimed and disabled Confederate soldiers with honorable records." An appropriation of $25,000 was made for the erection of suitable buildings. The management was entrusted to a board of nine trustees, appointed by the governor, upon the nomination of "The Ten- nessee Division of the Association of Confederate Soldiers." In 1895. the annual appropriation was increased to $8.500, and in 1899. to $90 for each inmate. There are now ( 1900) 123 inmates in the Home, which has been well managed by the Board of Trustees, of which Dr. W. J. . McMurray is President, and John P. Hickman is Secretary.
480. Penitentiary Lease System and Labor Troubles .- For several years there had been serious disturbances in the mining and manufactur- ing sections of the United States, popularly styled "strikes," or "labor troubles." An impression prevailed among the laboring classes that the capitalists and powerful corporations were arbitrary and unjust in dealing with the laborers in their employment. Associations were formed among the laborers to resist what they considered infractions of their rights. In these "strikes," the laborers sometimes went beyond the point of lawful resistance, and laid themselves liable to the charge of insurrection.
Tennessee had been free from any serious outbreak. although mutterings had been heard ever since the adoption of the Penitentiary lease system. The laboring elements, and especially the miners, had complained that the mine owners. by leasing the Penitentiary convicts
271
HAWKINS TO BUCHANAN.
to work in the mines, were enabled to dictate prices and terms to the free miners, and to impose upon them unjust and unlawful regulations. Notwithstanding the protest of the laboring elements, the lease system was continued.
In 1889, the Penitentiary convicts were leased to the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company for a term of six years. This com- pany was permitted to sub-lease the convicts for service in the various mines, and to place them under State regulations in mining camps. the lessees paying the expense of maintaining a sufficient force of guards. The miners were much incensed at this lease, and complained of it bitterly.
481. The Farmers' Alliance .- During this administration, a secret order, known as the Farmers' Alliance, came into prominence. For many years, a sentiment had been growing among the farmers that their interests had been neglected by the governments, State and federal. They organized societies, bound by a secret oath, and held meetings, to which none but their own members were admitted. A similar move- ment was going on among the laboring men. Finally, a union was effected among the various orders, and the organization became known by the name of the "Farmers' and Laborers' Union," but more popularly called the Farmers' Alliance. In Tennessee, this order was composed mainly of Democrats, and notably affiliated with the Democratic party.
. John P. Buchanan, the President of the Farmers' Alliance, came of a sturdy family of farmers, being a descendant of Maj. John Buchanan. of pioneer fame. He had made an honorable record. He had been a private in the Confederate army, when a boy, and had acquired a repu- tation for bravery and faithful service. Since manhood, he had been actively engaged in farming, but had also been conspicuous as a Demo- cratic leader, attending all the conventions, and serving as a member of the Legislature. At the Democratic convention in 1890, he was a can- didate for governor. His nomination was strenuously opposed by many Democrats on the ground of his connection with an order which was bound by a secret oath, and which was charged with holding doc- trines inconsistent with Democratic creed. After a prolonged contest, a compromise platform was adopted, and Mr. Buchanan was nominated as the Democratic candidate, and was elected governor by a large majority of votes.
272
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
CHAPTER XLVI.
BUCHANAN TO TAYLOR.
482. The Administration of Governor Buchanan .- The Legis- lature, among other important acts, adopted three measures which deserve especial mention. Two of these related to public education, and were strongly recommended by Governor Buchanan, who mani- fested a warm interest in education.
One of these enactments is known as the "secondary school law," which elevated the standard of the public schools, extended the school curriculum, and rendered the State the patriotic service of introducing in the public schools the study of Tennessee History and the study of Civil Govern- ment. The features of this law are - more fully discussed in the chapter on education.
The other enactment was the appro- priation of $1,500 per annum to provide for the expense of holding Summer In- stitutes for teachers. This was the first appropriation ever made by the State for the purpose, and was the beginning of GOV. JOHN P. BUCHANAN. the policy to which the State has wisely adhered ever since. In this administration, the appropriation to the Peabody Normal College was increased to $15,000.
Another act strongly recommended by Governor Buchanan was the law known as the "Confederate Pension Law." To the honor of Tennesseans, be it said, the most eloquent speeches in favor of the bill were made by Federal soldiers. Under this law, $60,000 per annum was appropriated to provide pensions for maimed and disabled soldiers with honorable records, either Confederate or Federal, who are not entitled to draw pensions from any other State or from the United States. The act provided, "That the Comptroller, Attorney General of the State, and three ex-Confederate soldiers, to be suggested by the Tennessee Division of Confederate Veterans, appointed by the Governor
273
BUCHANAN TO TAYLOR.
and hold their places for two years, without pay, shall constitute the Board of Pension Examiners." In 1899, the annual appropriation was increased to $100,000. The number of pensioners on the roll in the year 1900, is 908, and the Board consists of George B. Guild, President : Frank A. Moses, George F. Hager, the Comptroller and the Attorney General. John P. Hickman is Secretary.
In this administration, the commodious building at the Confederate Soldiers' Home was completed, and provisions were made for the support of the inmates.
483. The First Insurrection of the Miners .- In his first message, Governor Buchanan recommended the building of a new penitentiary. with a view to changing the system of management, at the expiration of the existing lease. This suggestion, however, did not afford relief sufficiently speedy to allay the irritation of the miners.
Previous to July, 1891, the mines worked by convict labor were at Tracy City, Inman, Oliver Springs, and Coal Creek. The mines of the Tennessee Coal Mining Company at Briceville, Anderson County. had been operated by free labor. A quarrel had arisen between the company and its employees in reference to a "check-weighman." and the use of "scrip," which resulted in a "strike." The company thereupon leased a number of convicts, and put them at work in the mines, early in July, 1891. This brought matters to a crisis. About midnight. July 14th, a mob of three hundred armed men took possession of the stockade, overpowered the guards, and forced the warden to remove the convicts, who were carried to Knoxville. Governor Buchanan hastened to the scene of action, with two companies of militia, which had been called into service. He reached Briceville July 16th, and held a con- ference with the miners, in which he appealed to them to obey the laws. and seek redress for their grievances through legal means. He further assured them that the laws would be enforced at whatever cost of blood or treasure. He returned to the capitol, July 18th, having restored the convicts to the stockade prison.
484. The Second Insurrection .- Anxious over the situation, the governor directed Adjutant General Henry H. Norman, in whose judg- ment he reposed the highest confidence, to proceed to Briceville. and use his personal influence to prevent a renewal of unlawful acts. Before the arrival of General Norman, a mob of about one thousand armed ininers had gathered at Briceville and Coal Creek, and forced the wardens to remove the convicts from the stockades. Upon receiving this intelligence, the governor called into service the State Guard, and
274
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
ordered their commander, Brigadier General Samuel T. Carnes, to pro- · ceed at once to Knoxville, and there concentrate his command. This order was issued July 20th, and so promptly executed that the entire brigade was mobilized at Knoxville, July 2Ist, consisting of the First Regiment, 250 men, commanded by Captain Charles Robinson; the Second Regiment, 250 men, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel A. R. Taylor; the Third Regiment, 200 men, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J. P. Fyffe.
The governor arrived at Knoxville July 22d, and was met by a committee of miners and citizens, tendering the submision of the miners. and the agreement to refrain from further acts of violence. So far. no blood had been shed. The act of the governor in calling the State Guard into service was plainly in excess of his constitutional powers, but was necessary to maintain the authority of the State. The convicts were promptly restored to the stockades, with the usual prison guards, and the State Guard was relieved from active duty.
485. The Legislature Convenes .- The opportunity was thus afforded to convene the Legislature in extra session, which body assem- bled August 31st. The governor's message stated the situation. and made the following request : "I want the General Assembly to clothe me with all needful power to enable me to execute my trust faithfully."
In the same message, he recommended important amendments in the criminal laws, immediate provisions for building a new penitentiary. and for redressing some of the grievances of which the miners com- plained. The Legislature passed acts giving "the governor more power over the militia," for "maintaining the State Guard," and to provide for the building of a new penitentiary, with modern appliances and of capacity sufficient to accommodate 2,000 prisoners. The same act fur- ther provided for the abolition of the system of leasing the convicts at the expiration of the existing lease.1
486. The Third Insurrection .- The miners did not consider the concessions of the Legislature sufficiently ample in character or speedy in relief, and they decided to proceed to violent measures. The extra session of the Legislature adjourned September 21st.
· In a little more than a month, the insurrection was renewed. Oc- tober 30th and 31st, mobs of miners again overpowered the guards at Briceville, Coal Creek, and Oliver Springs, destroyed the stockades, and turned the convicts loose. The stockades were rebuilt. and the convicts were captured and returned in December. Upon the advice
1 See Acts and Journals, Extra Session, 1891.
275
BUCHANAN TO TAYLOR.
of General Carnes, a special company was recruited for the purpose of guarding the three mines in revolt. January 1, 1892, this company was placed in "Fort Anderson," in the vicinity of the mines, under the com- mand of Capt. Kellar Anderson.
487. The Fourth Insurrection .- August 13, 1892, the insurrection broke out afresh, beginning in the mines at Tracy City, in Grundy County, where an armed mob of miners forced the warden to remove the convicts. Two days later, a similar outbreak occurred at the Inman mines, in Marion County. These two mines had taken no part in the former insurrections, and no military force was stationed near them.
A few days later, an organized force of miners released the con- victs at Oliver Springs. August 18, 1892, a committee from the miners waited upon Captain Anderson and demanded a surrender of the fort. Captain Anderson, seeking to pacify and dissuade them from so rash an act, left the fort, going down to Coal Creek Station, and was discussing the matter with some of the leaders, when a shot from Wal- den's Ridge brought on a general fire from the pickets and the fort. Captain Anderson was then taken in charge by Masonic friends and conducted to the rear hills for safety, where he was kept until four o'clock the following evening, when he was brought into the National Guard lines. The miners, in the meantime, had made an attack upon the fort, which was repulsed by the garrison, under command of Lieu- tenants Wenning and Fyffe.
August 17. 1892, Adjutant General Norman, under instructions from Governor Buchanan, telegraphed General Carnes to mobilize his entire brigade and proceed to Coal Creek to relieve Fort Anderson, and to suppress the insurrection.
488. The Efficient Services of General Carnes and the National Guard .- On the 18th, the Third Regiment and a posse from Knoxville under the command of Col. Cator Woolford, left the cars at Knapps, and under the cover of night marched to the top of Walden's Ridge until opposite and within a half mile of Fort Anderson. Here they lay down and waited for daylight. At dawn they were attacked by the miners and driven from the hills, with a loss of three men killed. In the meantime, General Carnes, with the First Regiment, Col. J. L. Fox, and the Second Regiment, Col. A. R. Taylor, and with the posse of one hundred and fifty men armed with Winchester rifles, reached Coal Creek about 8.30 A. M., and entered the town without opposition. Upon his approach, the miners fled and scattered.
276
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
It is estimated that there were as many as two thousand miners engaged in this attack on the fort, but the men under Carnes saw few with guns and only three dead miners. General Carnes arrested some one hundred and seventy-five men, and was very aggressive and active in restoring order. The Second Regiment was kept at Coal Creek until October 30th, 1892, when, upon the recommendation of Col. A. R. Taylor, the commander, the soldiers were sent home, leaving only the garrison at Fort Anderson. Some of the leaders in this insurrection were tried and convicted, while many sought safety in flight from the State.2
Thus ended the insurrection of the miners. The company under Capt. Kellar Anderson was retained in service, as a safeguard, until relieved from duty in 1893, by order of Governor Turney.
489. The Close of Buchanan's Administration .- During this administration, $469,000 worth of bonds, bearing six per cent interest, were called in and discharged by the proceeds arising from the sale of fifteen-year bonds bearing four per cent interest. The breach between the Alliance and the Anti-Alliance wings of the Democratic party grad- ually widened. When Governor Buchanan announced himself as a candidate for reelection, he was vehemently opposed by the Anti- Alliance wing. He finally withdrew his name from consideration before the Democratic convention, and announced himself as an inde- pendent candidate. Hon. Peter Turney, at that time Chief Justice of Tennessee, was nominated by the Democratic convention; Hon. G. W. Winstead by the Republicans : and Hon. E. H. East by the Prohibition party. After an exciting and bitter contest, Hon. Peter Turney was elected.
In his retiring message to the Legislature in 1893, Governor Buch- anan renewed the recommendations of his first message, in 1891, with reference to the construction of a new prison, and the abolition of the convict lease system, which he had repeated in his message to the extra session. He discussed ably and at length the several methods of prison management, which had been successful in other States. He urged that the State account system should be put into operation in Tennessee as speedily as tlie necessary arrangements could be made to carry it into effect.
2 See Acts and Journals of Extra Session of r8gt : Acts and Journals, Session of 1893; Messages of Governor Buchanan, Regular Session of 1891; Extra Session of 1891; Session of 1893; Report of Adjutant General Norman, 1891-92, pp. 10-20; Report of Gen. S. T. Carnes. in same, pp. 28-34.
277
BUCHANAN TO TAYLOR.
490. The Administration of Governor Peter Turney .- Early in his administration, Governor Turney dismissed the State Guard from active service in the mining districts. April 4, 1893, he approved the final act of the Legislature, providing for the erection of a new penitentiary, with workshops, stockades, etc., and the purchase of farming lands and mining lands, looking to the abolition of the convict lease system.
Under this law, a Building and Purchasing Committee was appointed. In 1895, a permanent Prison Commis- sion was created. In 1894, nine thou- GOV. PETER TURNEY. sand acres of mining lands were pur- chased in Morgan County, known as the Brushy Mountain tract. Upon this tract was erected a new branch prison, which was completed January 1, 1896.
A tract of farming land of 1,175 acres was purchased for the loca- tion of the main prison, and about 2,200 acres of farming land adjacent were leased for a term of years. On this farm, seven miles from Nashville, an eligible site was selected and the building of the main prison was begun.
January 1, 1896, the contract by which the convicts were leased to the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company expired. and the State was free to adopt a more humane policy. The State mines at Brushy Mountain were already in operation by convict labor. As soon as the main prison should be completed, the new system in all the departments of the penitentiary" could be put in operation.
During this administration, the contest with the railroads and other moneyed corporations, which had for many years been an irritating factor in State politics, was waged with increased bitterness.
During Governor Turney's first term of office, educational affairs were under the efficient supervision of Hon. Frank M. Smith, who was succeeded at the beginning of Governor Turney's second term by Hon. S. G. Gilbreath, an able officer. Important legislation was enacted. A law was passed increasing the powers of the Boards of Education of
3 See Acts and Journals of the respective years; Biennial Report of John H. Trice, Superintendent of Prisons, 1896; Report of Board of Prison Commis- sioners, 1896, etc.
278
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
municipal corporations. Another law provided for the examination of County Superintendents of Public Instruction, and increased the powers of the State Board of Education. Several important enactinents were made, regulating the financial management of the system. providing for more frequent reports, etc. The appropriation to the Peabody Normal College was increased to $20,000, and the Chair of American History was established, to be devoted to instruction in American History, and especially to the history of Tennessee, and to the collection and publica- tion of historical material.
491. The Contested Election .- In 1895, HON. S. G. GILBREATH, Superintendent Public Instruction. Governor Turney was a candidate for re- election. Hon. H. Clay Evans was the Republican candidate, and Hon. A. L. Mims the candidate of the People's party. When the vote was counted by the tellers, in joint convention of the two houses of the General Assembly, the returns showed 104,356 votes for Turney, 105,104 for Evans, and 23,088 for Mims. Governor Turney contested the election. The Legislature, after hearing evidence and argument, by a vote of 70 to 57, declared Peter Turney duly and constitutionally elected. He was then inaugurated for the second term. In 1896, Hon. Robert L. Taylor was elected for the third time as governor of Tennessee.
CHAPTER XLVII.
THIRD ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR ROBERT L. TAYLOR.1
492. Important Events .- The two former terms of Governor Taylor were uneventful, and were interesting only to the student of political institutions and economic legislation. The present term. however, was full of events of historic and social interest. Scarcely had he been inaugurated when he was called on to welcome the guests of the State who came from every part of the Union and from foreign countries to visit Tennessee on the occasion of her centennial reception.
1 Governor Taylor's portrait is given at the head of his first administration.
279
THIRD ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. ROBERT L. TAYLOR.
. Having performed this pleasing duty with admirable grace, he entered upon the more serious duty of organizing the troops of Tennessee for the Spanish and Philippine Wars.
493. The Tennessee Centennial .- The Centennial Park was dedi- cated June 1, 1896, with ceremonies commemorative of the admission of the State into the Union, June 1, 1796. The Exposition was formally opened May I, 1897. This exposition was, perhaps, the best man- aged, the most brilliant and successful State exposition TENNESSEE CENTENNIAL GROUNDS. ever held. It was located on a beautiful site, just outside of the corporate limits of Nashville. The grounds were verdant and beautiful. The buildings, exhibits, and attractions pertaining to such occasions were of an unusually high order. The United States Government building and exhibit, the State buildings and exhibits, the foreign exhibits, and the various manufacturing, mer- cantile, agricultural, scientific, and educational exhibits, were all excel- lent. The preeminent feature of the exposition was the prominence given to History. The harmonious association of ancient history and modern history was peculiarly pleasing, and was remarkable in a State which had heretofore been so negligent of its own history.
494. The Parthenon and Erectheum .- The most beautiful build- ing, occupying the most conspicuous site on the grounds, was a repro- duction of the classic Parthenon. "the pride of Athens," exact in size and construction, and in all respects except the material used. In this building was placed the art exhibit, under the -- control of a committee, of which the accomplished Mr. Theodore Cooley was chairman.
By the side of the Parthenon, occupying the same relative THE PARTHENON. position which it occupied cn the Acropolis of Athens, was the exact reproduction of the companion temple, the Erectheum. This building was devoted to history, and
280
HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
furnishes the first instance in any American Exposition in which a sep- arate building and a special department has been given to history. Here Gen. G. P. Thruston, the efficient Chairman of the History Com- mittee, ably assisted by the superintendent of the building, Mr. Robert T. Quarles, displayed the most complete and remarkable collection of State historical relics that has, perhaps, ever been exhibited. The Tennessee Historical Society, various local Historical Societies, The Colonial Dames, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Ladies' Her- mitage Association, the Grand Army of the Republic, the Confederate Veterans, the Daughters of the Confederacy, and many private contrib- utors, supplied a collection which illustrated the history of Tennessee from its pioneer period to the present time.
An interesting incident of the Centennial was the parade of the Association of United Confederate Veterans, who held their annual reunion in Nashville, while the Centennial was in progress.
495. The Effects of the Centennial on the History of the State .- Nothing has done so much to interest Tennesseans in the history of their own State as the Centennial Exposition. Previous to that time, the Tennessee Historical Society had done a grand work in preserving the materials of history. The early historians had deserved the grati- tude of the State for their valuable works. The Legislature, in 1891, in enacting the Secondary School law, had added Tennessee History to the curriculum of studies, and in 1895, had created the Chair of Ameri- can History at the Peabody Normal Col- lege. The American Historical Magazine, published as the organ of this chair, reaches the principal libraries and learned societies all over the United States. A remarkable production appeared in the newspapers, just before the opening of the exposition, entitled the Centennial Dream, written by Dr. R. L. C. White. This article was given to the public in the form of a hundred queries in Tennessee history. and a reward was offered for correct answers. It obtained a wide circulation. and aroused a wonderful popular interest.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.