Tennessee miners released 500 prisoners. The Southern U.S. labor penalty system offered prisoners as slaves to businessmen, as a strategy to reduce wages and smash strikes. The miners in Tennessee wanted them to sign the commitment not to strike, but most didn't accept it and drive it out. They were replaced by prisoners. The miners jumped up and occupied the entire mining area. This event, dubbed a war by Coal Creek, was one of the greatest treasures in American history. Thousands of miners faced the state army to end the slavery system. They forced the company to give up.