1958

Tear Gas Quiets Prison Rioters In Tennessee PETROS,Tenn. (INS) Warden Frank Llewellyn said today that 250 rioting prisoners at the Brushy Mountain State prison have not indicated why they started a demonstration. He ordered all guards out of the cell block to prevent the convicts from taking hostages shortly after the riot began Monday night. The warden reported that the convicts tore up plumbing and mattresses, causing considerable damage,and were trying to get other prisoners in different parts of the prison to join them in the riot.Tear gas was used to quiet the convicts who were locked in their cells. The warden said he could not be sure they could be prevented from breaking out of the Petros, Tenn., institution. State police have reinforced the guards.

1894

1894 - The Tennessee General Assembly voted to construct two state prisons and end the practice of leasing convicts for private labor. In 1894, the state acquired over nine thousand acres for the construction of the remote Brushy Mountain State Prison in Petros. An additional 4000 acres were added later. Inmates would mine coal and then cut timber from the state's holdings for use in large brick ovens to turn the Tennessee coal into "coke," a carbonaceous residue used as fuel