Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 May 1894 — KELLY’S ARMY SAILS AWAY. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

KELLY’S ARMY SAILS AWAY.

The Commoa*e»ler* Leave Dm Mot net on Flat beats. The railroads having refused to transport Kelly’s commonweal army from Des Moines, the “General" set about building flatboata on which to float his men down the Des Moinea River to the Mississippi. About a hundred of these boats, rudely constructed by their own hands, were required to move the army. The fleet got away Wednesday at neon, bidding good-by to Des Moines from the pack-ing-house two miles south of the city. Most of the boats in the fleet were rigged with oars or sailing gear, and sails were improvised from army blan-

kets. Because of the numerous sand bars the men were freiuently compelled to wade and push the boats. The men, a dispatch says, have enough provisions for several days, and the towns along the route will contribute liberally. "Prof.” King led the flotilla on his aquatic bicycle. The start was witnessed by a large crowd. Kelly’s boats were soon strung along the river five miles and made slow progress. One boat with ten army men and a number of Des Moines women and children capsized, and all ! on board narrowly escaped drowning, i Fully 2,000 people straggled along the I banks watching the notilla. Women and children from the city were in nearly every boat at the start, taking a short pleasure ride.

“GEN” KELLY.