Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1894 — QUIXOTE COXEY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

QUIXOTE COXEY

Marches On the Washington Wind Mill. The, “Common Weal” Army Mtuteri In One Hundred Strong—Mostly Hobos. “On from Ohio at break of day Bringing to Washington fresh dismay, The affrighted air with a shudder bore, Like a herald in haste to the Capitol door, The terrible grumble and rumble and roar Of the great parade that was on once more, With Coxey several miles away. ’ ’ But seventy-two of Coxey’s Commonwealers had the courage .to march away from Canton, Monday afternoon, in the face of the wintry blast that was blowing at the time set for the start. The band deserted at that point also, and thaTTook much of the spirit out of the soldiers. The march from Canton to Louisville, 0., through two inches of snow and in a temperature twenty degrees above zero, was anything but a pleasant experience for the thinly-clad wanderers, who had imagined that the entire trip to Washington would bo a sort of a springtime frolic. Fifty tramps were picked up between Canton and Louisville, and when the army went into camp it numbered 122 men, aside from the officers. The claimed enlistments are 250. Much excitement was created by the announcement that three

of the tramps had robbed a man named Ruegg of a watch and $lO in money. Thi s was the first attempt at lawlessness, but no arrests were made. Mr. Coxey and Marshal Browne took lodgings at the best hotel in Canton, Sundav night, and this caused the men to grumble. The “officers” did not put in an appearance at the camp till 10:30, and when they did arrive and give orders to break camp and prepare for the march the soldiers reluctantly obeyed. It was past 12 o'clock before the start was made, and when the command to march was given but seventy-two fell in. TheCoxey brigade moved eastward from Louisville Tuesday forenoon, in spite of the cold weather and arrived at Maximo at 10-19. Not to exceed a dozen people turned out to witness their arrival. Those of the crusaders who were provided with horses led them, preferring to Walk on accountof the cold. The arm#' reached Alliance at 12:45 o’clock, footsore and weary. A begging expedition was organized to solicit aid. Clothing and other supplies

were apked for, but little was obtained. No dinner and only cheese, bread, potatoes and black coffee for supper caused much grumbling. Gen. Coxey took the train at Alliance for Chicago to attend to urgent business, promising to return and join the army, Wednesday. Browne, who has acted as Coxey’s lieutenant,announced publicly that when his chief left for Chicago he had barely enough money to buy his ticket. He left the Commonwea treasury crapty. . - The start from Alliance, Wednesday was made with one hundred and ninetyeight men In line. About seven hundred people witnessed the parade through the square. Thirty-five commonwealers managed to get on freight trains east bound, intending to camp with the army at the next stopping place. Food was plenty at Alliance and the men were orderly with the exception of one fight at midnight in the tent, caused by a dispute over the ownership of a straw bed. The distance to Salem was thirteen miles and the army arrived there in good time. The citizens treated the men generously. Food, shelter and recruits awaited their arrival. Two halls had been provided as sleeping quar-

tors. Plenty of food wiis provided. Carl Browne wm Invited to supper by the chairman of the committee of arranvei ments. A meeting was held at the opera I house at 7 o’clock. Sixteen recruits were enlisted. They were genuine 1 " workmen, eight of them having federation or lodge tickets. Throe commonWoalers art now tick and under the doctor’s care. | The army of peace left Salem In good

order at JO o’clock, Tnursday. Food, for 250 men had been provided and what could not be eaten was loaded in the wagons. Fourteen recruits joined at breakfast. The march of Thursday was ex' tremely disagreeable, the roads being heavy with snow ai)d slush. Four Pittsburg recruits were arrested by the marshal of Salem for robbery. They were detained for a hearing by the mayor. Gen. Coxey rejoined the procession at Columbiana. At Leetonia twenty-three coopers joined the ranks. At Columbiana the commonwealers found themselves among friends. The citizens provided straw beds and plenty Of food, and the camp was made in a foundry. Columbiana has a Coxey club of fifty-three members. Thir-ty-six new recruits were received here. There have been numerous desertions en route and the army at this place numbered but 108 bona fide “soldiers.” The conrmonweal crusaders marched from Columbiana to East Palestine, Ohio,, Friday, and were given a cool reception. Coxey went to Pittsburg but promised to I return. Marshal Browne found it necessary to read out some very stringent orders and place the men under severe discipline. All infractions of the rules laid! down will be punished by the forfeiture or a meal. The camp at East Palestine was made on the fair grounds and the men spent the night under canvas. —AIT men who hereafter desert the ranks and ride on freight trains will be dismissed. NOTES. Senator Peffer was interviewed at Washington, Tuesday? He thinks the Coxey movement foolish and childish. He says there is nothing in the crusade to commend it to thinking people. Mr. Peffer says there will be no trouble at Washington should the army hold together and reach that city. A Pittsburg man has sworn out an attachment against Coxey and the papers will be served when the army reaches that place. The claim is for SSOO and is based on notes given by Coxey for an old locomotive.

Senator Stewart, who received a lengthy communication, Monday, from Coxey in regard to the Interests of his army, will not reply, and says the whole thing is illadvised and will bring suffering and hardships on a great many people. Freight trains bound eastward on many lines are reported to be infected with tramps trying to beat their way to join the commonweal crusade. At Pittsburg the railroad officials were kept busy all of Monday night trying to keep the Union Station clear of tramps. Gov. McKinley was interviewed at Chicago on the commonweal army, and said: “At first I was inclined to treat the Coxey movement with seriousness, for it might have been a most important affair, but now it bears the imprint of a joke. However the Ohio authorities are capable of taking care of the situation.” Gen. Coxey was in Chicago, Wednesday, and spent considerable time at. the Stock Yards looking after a consignment of horses. He denied that ho had deserted the Commonwealers. Mr. Coxey took dinner at the Auditorium and left for Salem. 0.. at 11:30 p. m. Fifty tramps who had rendezvoused at Buffalo intending to join the march to Washington were sent to the workhouse as vagrants, Wednesday. The vagrancy law at Washington is very stringent and It is now announced by the authorities that from this time on it will be rigidly enforced. Seven advance gaurds of Coxey’s army were sent to the workhouse in that 1 city, Wednesday. Gov. Hogg, of Texas, has notified the Manager of the Southern Pacific .that he must at once transport the seven hundred commonwealers that have been left at Finlay in a starving condition. These men were stealing rides In an endeavor to. join Coxey, and were unceremoniously dumped at Finlay by orders of Manager Kruttschmitt. The Southern Pacific furnished ten coaches to transport “Frye’s Industrial Army” to Austin in response to Gov. Hogg’s orders. The railway officials say they are glad to turn over the responsibility to the Governor. A Chicago barber who Is with the army shaved ten.of the men, Wednesday night. In consequence the crowd presented a much more respectable appearance.

COMMANDER COXEY.

COMMISSARY WAGON. (BROWNE'S PANORAMA ON THE LEFT.)

GOING TO JOIN THE ARMY.