The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1878-09-28


claims as leading worker in the
cause.
But the most brilliant exploit of
that campaign, the exploit which
will be most readily understood
and most enthusiastically admired,
was Major BurKe's part in the
great coup of the 14th Of Septem-
ber. From that event we date
the beginning Of the train Of events
which eliminated last year in the
fnal emancipation of the State
from political bondage, the over
throw OF Radicalism and the res
toration of popular government in
Louisiana. 1t is an event hallow-
ed by the proudest memories.
Every actor in it is entitled to the
affec'ionate gratitude of the peo-
pie, and all of it's victims are en-
balmed to-day in undying honor
and reverence. Major Burke's
part in this affair is not generally
known. yet among the leaders it is
notorious that but for him there
would have been no 14th of Sep
tember. On the night of the 18th
it became known to Gen. Ogden
that troops had been ordered from
Holly Springs by telegraph and
were expected in the city about
noon next day. The realization of
this programme woald effectually
defeat the plans of the Democratic
leaders. They were resolved not
to be brought into conflict with
the Federal authorities. and yet
they were equally determined to
overthrow Kellogg's police and his
government. What was to be
done? Some of the staff repaired
to Major Burke's house at midnight
to consult as to ways and means.
Their proposition was to burn tho
Manchac bridge, but to this Major
Burke naturally replied that be
was an officer OF the road, and OF
course could not connive at any
injury to the road s property. Al
ter some hours of anxious consult
alton, the staff officers took their
departure. leaving the matter in
Major Burke's hands. His plans
We're quickly formed, and as quick
IS executed. Before daylight his
messenger was flying up the road
on hand car, giving the orders to
the foremen of the different gangs
then engaged in raising the road
bed, and Il few hours afterward the
5onth bound train with the soldiers
on board was stopped by gap of
some hundred yards where the
workmen bad taken up the track
and We're industriously shoyeling
away at the embankment. There
was some pretty loud talk, explain
atoms and expostulations, and af-
ter delay OF an hour the track
was relaid and the train proceeded
On it's way. Two miles on the road
and another stoppage.
rwo hundred yards of track taken
up this time and the gang very
lard at work. More palayer, some
excitement this time, talk a good
leal louder and explanations more
oroiuse. In two hours the train
vas under way and went along
moothly for about three miles.
But the men were working desper-
ltely on that September morning,
md here the train stopped at q
Freak of nearly five hundred yards.
Then Colonel Brooks lost patience.
ie even drew his pistol and threat
ned to shoot foreman. But it
5 needless to linger over these de-
ails, Burke's plot was success,
nd while the regular soldiers were
railroads up about Man
hac, the citizen soldiers were
hrashing Kellogg's Metropolitans,
nd scattering Kellogg's govern
lent to the four winds Of Heaven.
was the grand blow of the strng-
10, the inauguration of the era
'bich has now fully dawned, and
fajor Burke's part in il can hardly
Q termed a minor one, No one
mo participated in the councils of
lat period will deny that he de-
sryes all the credit for the stroke
hich delayed the train and made