The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-18
THE BLOODY SHIRT AT COLUMBUS.
Bit of Democratic Humor that Reacted with
Startling Effect.

A Bit of Democratic Humor that Reacted with
Startling Effect.
COLUMBUS, Oct. 1.-THE Journal of today
contains the following concerning the bloody
shirt incident OF yesterday:
Yesterday noon a blood stained shirt with
"a New North" on one sleeve and "a New
South" on the other was flung to the breeze in
front Of the Democratic State headquarters. 1t
was not only hung out but it was swung across
Broad street. suspended from a rope, disgrace
to the avenue an insult to every patriotic citi-
zen, and an indication of the assinity and utter
disregard of all decency of the men responsible
for its suspension across one of the public streets
The last hopeNwas gone, the Democratic man
ayers were at last convinced that they had lost
the United States senatorship, and in their des-
peration and bitter disappointment they were
guilty of this act. which caused the geatest in
dignation of anything that has occurred here in
many a day. Beneath the bright af-
ternoon sun that bloody shirt swung to
and fro in the breeze, an insult
to every loyal soldier whose memory of fallen
comrades wearing shirts stained with their life
blood was too vivid to allow at this day blood
stained shirt to be made an object of ridicule or
reproach, as was SO evidently intended by the
perpetrators Of this dastardly deed.
Who hung ont that bloody shirt matters not.
1t was hung forth from the Democratic State
headquarters by those in charge of them at the
time, and swung in the breeze until o'clock in
the afternoon. Any attempt to throw the re-
sponsibility of the deed on any irresponsible
party will fall fiat, when it is known that this
bloody shirt was sent to the committee several
days ago from the head-center of Democracy at
Washington, has been in the State committee
rooms every since, and was yesterday swung
nth with the full knowledge and approval of
every in the committeeroom at the time
and after those who perpetrated the deed
had submitted the matter to Chairman Powell
who offered no objection to 1T. If, indeed he did
not encourage it. until later in the day he learned
the popular opinion on the matter.
About o'clock in the afternoon, old soldiers
who had observed the CORY emblem and whose
blood had risen in righteous indignation at the
sight, determined that the indignity should not
go unrebuked. A hastily gathered meeting of
members of the G. A. r. was held on the street
corner, and it was determined that the thing
must come down. Forming in line they started
for the Democratic headquarters. They were
joined on the way by others, and the crowd of
incensed veterans was increased until by the
time the headquarters were reached, there were
fully 500 in the gathering, and the 500 were all
of mind-that the bloody shirt must be
pulled down, peaceably, if possible, forcibly, if
as we'll as Republican soldiers and others
who were not soldiers in that crowd, and
it was a crowd that meant business On arriv-
ing in front of the headquarters. the crowd
stopped and Mr.. j. d. Harris and another mem
Der of the G. A. r. went inside and told those
within that they had better take down that
bloody shirt; that the populace, whose angry
mutteriugs could then be heard outside had be-
come thoroughly aroused and enraged, and that
there was likely to DO danger, from the temper
manifested, unless the bloody shirt was pulled
in within An hour. Carlos Trevitt, AL Carlisle
of Pittsburg, and Sam Fullen were in the com
mittee-rooms. but would not pull in the offensive
emblem. There was great excitement on the
street at this but any danger of violence was
avoided by Mr. Ed Horn, son of W. E. Horn
treasurer of the Democratic committee
running into the committee room and
grasping the rope to which it was
fastened. starting to pull in the shirt The rope
broke and the bloody shirt fell into the street
With one shout the crowd grabbed it up and
started up Broad street with it, the shirt being
carried by Mr.. George Beaton, while Mr.. Harris
and others started off after a can of OIL which
was soon secured and poured on the shirt while
it lay on the pavement on Third street
While this was going on Mr.. w. E. Horn drove
up and addressing those presen. said he wished
it distinctly understood that he did not coun-
tenance such proceedings as the hanging out of
that bloody shirt, and that as quick AS he had
learned of it he had driven to the committee
rooms to order it torn down. Those present
we're satisfied that Mr.. Horn was indignant at
the rag being strung up and told him that they
proposed after it was saturated with kerosene to
burn it. Mr.. Horn replied that that was just
what they ought to do
The crowd again fell in behind Mr.. Harris and
Mr. BeatOn, who carried the shirt back and de
posting it in front of the headquarters ignitsd
it with match. As the flames rolled up the