"The Coal Creek War"

Coal Creek valley was the scene of an armed rebellion against the state by free miners seeking an end to the common practice of leasing convicts to coal companies. On Oct. 31, 1891, the convict laborers at Briceville were freed by armed miners. The revolt was subdued by the state militia, but led to the eventual abolition of the convict lease system and the establishment of Brushy Mountain State Prison in 1898.

Briceville, Tennessee · United States