Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-10-22

Extracts htom 1GrA Lease.
Mary Ellen Lease has always hesn
good authority with the populists and
We have every reason for supposing that
sha is entitled to the sans credence now.
Moreover there can be no question but
that her experience as recounted at
length to an Inter Oceas reporter is true
and that her conclusions as to the duty
OF the hour areirresistible The interview
is quite lengthy and we can only give q
few of the salient points. We advice
everybody to read it through carefully.
We refrain from making any comments.
It could not be made stronger and there
is no ambiguity about it. Only want of
space prevents Us from giving it entire.
When first approached she was reluct-
ant 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 broad cast such untruthful reports
of her dolngs and sayings, that she had
come almost to dread a newspaper 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 convinced 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 tIuthfully when he
declared that General Weaver was cow
ard and hurriedly left the south because
he was afraid to face the righteous indig-
nation of the people. This question serv-
ed as match to kindle the flame OF the
lady's wrath. Her indignation we'll 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 character
istics. No! she said, with emphasis.
He did not speak truthfully, and he
knows it. General Weaver is not a cow
ard fear did not drive him out of the
south. He is a courageous man, a brave
bold man, daring man, between whom
and the skulking poltroon PETER there
can be no comparison.
beginning at Waycross in the south
ern part of Georgia, we received our first
intimstion 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 messengers we're stationed
on the roads to meet the people as they
came into town and tell them that an ad-
mission fee of so cents would be extracted
of them before they could enter the meet
ing. This turned many of the country
people and negroes back; and yet through
the efforts of third partyites fair audi
ence greeted us and accorded US re-
spectful hearing. We congratulated our
selves on having had successful meet
ing; but after our people left town thu
"chivalric' democratic thugs emerged
from their hiding places and plotted muir
der. Their plan was to waylay Genera
Weaver as he boarded the night train
Our chairman, Mr.. II. G. Reed of Way
cross, who has since written more than
he dared to tell us at the time, heard o.
the lawleseness premeditated. and seek
|
of the South to do everything in hii
power to protect General Weaver and
party. The mayor. several special police
Mr.. Reed and fifteen alliaDcemen re-
NAMED at the depot all that night to pro
tect US. We, unconscious of danger, had
at the last moment decided to take the
morning train; hence, we escaped with
our lives, not knowing that gang of ruff
fans who had made night hideous were
waiting to assault us. We have since
heard facts from our chairman, Mr.. Reed
that would not have soothed our nerves
if we had known them at the time.
"FrOm Waycross we proceeded to
Albany, not without misgivings, however
as we had been informed that that place
was the stronghold of organized demOc-
racy."
Mrs. Lease paused for a moment and
sat quite still, as though her thoughts
were, for the instant, lost in restrospec-
ton. She seemed briefly to review men,
tally some of the perils through which
she had passed. and there was for Sec
and, look almost of terror in her eyes.
Then, gathering herself together, she re-
sumed her composed demeanor and con-
| tinued.
"Shortly after our arrival at Albany, q
turbulent, bowling, drunken mob gath
cred in and around the hotel. The DEM
ocratic chairman came in and offered us
the use of the opera house free. and as
sured us ION the faith of Georgian" we
would not be molested nor our meeting
interrupted. Yet notwithstanding the
gentleman's honor was at stake we were
frequently interrupted in the vilest man.
ner. A plot had been laid to shut us in
the opera house, and at the conclusion of
our addresses we would he compelled to
TRADE of drunken abuse from negro
hired by the chivalric democracy to
demonstrate their ideas of social equality.
Eat Columbus another storm awaited
Us. A reporter of the Atlanta journal,
wbo had nada a apoaialkx, Of ooIloof;nn.