The Globe-republican., 1892-11-04
MRS. LEASE IN THE SOUTH.

| MRS. LEASE IN THE SOUTH.
Her Experiences With Southern
| Cnivairy.
From the Chicago Inter-Occan.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, October 15.-Mrs.
Mary E. Lease, the Kansas woman who
has, during the present political cam
paign, become such conspicuous fig
ure, owing to her courageous attitude
and the mastery manner with which
she has been doing campaign work in
the interest of the peoples party, passed
through st. Louis last evening on her
way to Terre Haute TO Join General and
Mrs. Weaver. She was at the Union de-
pot awaiting change Of trains, for two
hours or more. and your correspondent
was fortunate enough to see her and
talk with her.
Mrs. Lease has but Just returned
from the south. having just taken a
brief rest of two days in her home in
Wichita, Kan, endeavoring in some de-
gree to recover from the effects of the
ordeal through which she passed in the
southern states-an ordeal which, from
her own statements, must have been
terrible indeed.
When first approached she was reluc-
tant to talk for publication, as she said
the southern press had treated both her
and General Weaver with such unfair
ness, and the southern correspondents
had sent broadcast such untruthful re-
ports of her doings and sayings, that
she had come almost to dread newspa-
per man. She said there were many
things she would like to see printed in
the great cause of truth and justice, but
she was especially anxious to be con-
vinced that what she said would be
printed just as she said it. While in
this hesitating state of mind she was
asked if Senator PETER had spoken
truthfullv when he declared that Cen
eral Weaver was coward and hurriedly
left the south because he was afraid to
face the righteous indignation of the
people.
SHE CHAMPIONS GENERAL WEAVER.
This question served as match to
kindle the flame of the lady's wrath.
Her indignation well-nigh got the better
of her caution, but not sufficiently SO as
for one minute to cloud the clearness
of thought or in the least impede the
quickness of perception that are her
most noticeable mental characteristics.
mo" she said, with emphasis, He
did not speak truthfully, and he knows
it. General Weaver is not coward;
fear did not drive him out of the south.
He is courageous man; brave, bold
man; daring man, between whom and
the skulking paltroon, PETER, there can
be no comparison"
"Did you or General Weaver in your
public addresses or private conversation,
or by your action or conduct, say or
do anything calculated to rouse antag
onism:"
"Most emphatically, nor
"Did anything on your part in any
way Justify the discorteous treatment
accorded you!"
mo, sir; we both spoke in the belief
that all true reform must come from the
higher impulses of the heart. We ap-
peaIed to their sense Of justice, their
love for home, and the fraternity that
should prevail among all men. General
Weaver, particularly, always spoke with
such Christian kindness that it moved
many to tears. think it would be i'm
possible for him to speak harshly to or
of anyone"
'.The reports sent from various places
in the south have been somewhat con-
Trajectory. Are not some, if not all of
these reports exaggerated?"
''Indeed they are not. On the con-
trary, all the reports sent out or printed
in the southern states were mild, in fact
were colored, as compared with the
reality"
"Where did the first trouble take
place."
"Our first trouble was at Waycross."
"Mrs. Lease, please give me in detail
a full account of your experiences"
The lady hesitated for moment, then
said:
THE FIRST OUTRAGE.
''Beglnning at Waycross, in the southern
ton of impending trouble as We alighted
from the train, when we noticed the depot
platform and sidewalk strewn with circulars
warning everyone to Keep away from our
meetings. This was for those who could
read. For those who could not read messen-
gers were stationed on the road to meet the
people as they came into town and tell them
that an admission fee of so cents would be
exacted of them before they could enter the |
meeting. This turned many of the country
people and negroes back; and yet, through
the efforts of third partyites fair audience
greeted us and accorded us respectful hear
ing. We congratulated ourselves OF having
had a successful meeting: but after our peo-
pie left town the 'chivalric' democratic thugs
emerged from their hiding places and plotted
murder. Their plan was to waylay General
Weaver as he boarded the night train. Our
chairman, Mr.. H. G. Reed, of Waycross, who
has since written more than he dared to tell
US at the time, heard of the lawlessness PIE
meditated, and seeking the mayor implored
him for the honor of the south to do every
thing in his power to protect General
Weaver and party. The mayor, several spe-
cial police, Mr.. Reed and fifteen alliancemen
remained at the depot all that night to pro-
tect US. We, unconscious of danger, had at
the last moment decided to take a morning