The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-07-31


the armed section of that force. Contin-
uing, Detective Johnson said that he had
Joined this organization for the purpose
Of finding out their objects and taking
secret notes Of their proceedings. He
attended all the meetings Of the union
from February %, 1885, to January,
1886. He took written reports of the
meetings and turned them over to W. A.
Pinkerton, superintendent Of the detec--
tive agency. The witness stated he had
since learned that other Pinkerton men.
had been detailed on the same service.
His own attendance at the meetings Of
the armed section was confined to two.
occasions. AT meeting of the American
group, the date OF which was given by
the witness Fisher, one of the defend
ants introduced resolution denouncing
man named Wright who it was alleged
had escaped punishment due for some
crime, by means of his high standing In
society. Spies opposed the resolution say
ing: "What is the use Of passing reso-
lutions2 Now is an opportunity for
some OF our young men to go and shoot
Wright" At another meeting, April l.,
Spies, in a similar manner, advised the
shooting of a police sergeant who had
been tried upon serious charge, but ac-
quilted on the testimony of brother off,
GERS. AS further example Of how the.
leading Anarchists were continuously
Selling upon every incident engaging
public attention and urging subordinate
members to make 1t the occasion of some
startling act of violince, the witness re-
| lated that Fielden, referring to the new
Board Of Trade building, said at one Of
| the meetings: "What splendid oppor.-
| tunity there would be for some bold fell
low, next Tuesday evening, to m axe the
capitalists tremble by blowing up the
building and all there is in It,"
Witness then took each separate meet
ing OF the American group of the Inter-
national Working Peoples Association
| between February %, 1885, and January
| %, 1886, mentioned the date specifically
and proceeded by reference to memo,
randa to detail exactly when, where, how
often and under what circumstances each
OF the defendants had advocated attacks
on the militia and police, and particularly
the use OF dynamite. incidentally De-
tective Johnson told how Parsons, in a
certain speech, had said; 81 lived
on snowballs all last winter, but by L
won't do it this winter" At the mar
ration of this sally of her husband
Mrs. Parsons laughed till the tears ran
down her cheeks, and then oStentalious-
ly wiped her eyes with a flaming scarlet
| handkerchief. The alarm that had mani.
tested itself among the eight defendants
upon the first appearance OF the detective
on the stand, had by this time some what
subsidized. 1t had entirely disappeared at
the end of the line at which Lingg and
Engel, who knew little English, were
stationed. Beyond the latter grizzly.
looking Anarchist sat his pretty seven.
teen year-Old daughter She leaned her
arm on one arm OF her fathers chair, up.
on the opposite arm of which rested the
elbow of youthful, good.looking Louis
Lingg. The old man sat bolt upright be.
tween them apparently lost in thought,
while the two young people chatted
and laughed to their hearts, content.
Even Lingg, however, grew serious again
when the detective began to recount his
experience at meeting of the armed
section held August "A at 81 West Lake
street Twenty or twenty-five men were
present and two women. man armed
with long sword, dressed in blue blouse
and wearing a slouched hat ordered all
to fall in. Whoever wished to Join the
company were told to step to the front.
The detective and two others stepped
forward. Upon the Captains demands
ING that each should be youched for by
some member of the company, the de.
teCtive was for moment at a loss how
to proceed To his great relief Parsons
volunteered to be his sponsor.
At this evidence every man among the
defendants turned inquiringly toward
Parsons. That individual was evidently
nOnplussed.
The company, witness continued,
drilled for three-quarters of an hour in.
the regular manual. man then came
in with two tin boxes, which he placed
on the table. The drilmaster invited all
up to examine the latest improved
dynamite bombs. They were carefully
examined by all the members. At a SUBJ.
sequent meeting of this portion of the
! armed section, which was known as the
International Rifles, or American Group,
Parsons was elected lieutenant. The
question of arms was discussed.
He said: "Look here, boys, why
cannot we make raid on the First Regi-
ment Armory. Only two or three men
are on guard" The idea was generally
favored, but 1t was finally decided to put
the matter off for time. In case of a con-
fllct with the authorities the Internatlon-
al Rifles were to act in concert with the
Lehr and Weir Vereln. The first of May
was specifically mentioned as the most
available opportunity for bringing about
the "Social revolution" "The first OF
May Fieldsn had said, twill he a grand
time to strike thelblow. There will be
fifty thousand men out of employment"
The witness related significant conf
dental talk, giving place, date and hour.
which he had overheard between Fielder
and Spies. Frequently during this testi-
mOny Spies started in blank surprise, not
so much apparently at the utterances laid
before the jury as the cloSeness with
D which he had been Swallowed by the de-
I tectives, whom it was evident had been
4 at his elbow in the most totally unexpect-
t ed places.
: Nearly one.third of the afternoon was
2 given to the cToSs-examiuation of Detec.
t tive johnson and 1t was then announced
0 that the lawyers for the defense would
e begin Monday morning with further