Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-02-15
WAR BREAKS OUT IN KANSAS.
An Attempt to Arrest Populist Results
In n Small Riot

An Attempt to Arrest Populist Results
in a Small Riot.
TOPEKA, Kas., Feb. .l5.-War is on in
real earnest between the two houses of the
legislature and blows have been exchanged
There are now open threats by the Popu-
lists of sensational hostilities and at any
moment there may be something more
than the talk which has been so long in
dulged in. An attempt by deputy ser
geants-at-arms of the Republican house to
arrest Ben G. Rich, clerk of the Populist
house, on orders from the Republicans,
caused conflict during which two Repub-
licans were knocked down and several men
on both sides were badly bruised by blows
of fists. The encounter occurred in the very
center of the city and created the greatest
excitement. What will be the outcome of
the trouble no One attempts to foretell, but
it is generally agreed that today will wit
ness the most exciting scenes known in
Kansas in years.
Resolution for the Arrest of Rich
E w. Hoch, of Marion, arose in the Re
publican house at 11:35 o'clock yesterday
morning, and after reviewing the history of
the house muddle said that the people OF
the state were tired of the waste of time
and demanded Chat it get down to business.
He knew only two ways to settle the ques-
tion-either to knock down or to 60 into
the courts He did not believe in the
knock-down policy, but he was satisfied
the courts would bring about a settlement.
He thereupUn offered a resolution, which
was adopted, for the arrest of Ben c. Rich,
Populist clerk, on the charge of disturbing
the legal house by his actions.
The Sergeants Find Their Man.
The sergeants-atarm succeeded in find
| ing Rich after considerable search in the
parlor Of the Dutton hotel, read their war
rant to him, and demanded that he accom-
pany them John W. Briedenthal, Fred
Bailey and others interfered in behalf OF
Rich, and Immediately there was great
crowd Of people in the hotel. After a brief
struggle the crowd moved out upon the
street, and with Rich in custody of both
Republicans and Populists the crowd
moved up the avenue. At the corner OF
Ninth street and Kansas avenuethe Re
publicans tried to run Rich over to the
Copeland house, and warlike scene fol.
lowed.
| Released by the Populists.
| In the struggle Representative Ryan
knocked one of the Repu blican sergeants
down and Immediately got astride Of him
while John w. Briedenthal had to use
force to get rid of a Republican who was
trying topull him away from Rich. Othel
men exch nged blows but nobody was SO
riously hi rt. In the end the Populists gol
their mat away and took him to the gov
ernor's Office, from where few minute.
later hewas triumphantly escorted int
the hall of the house of representatives, hi,
wife holding one arm and Representativ,
Wordsworth, the other. His appearance,
In the lall was greeted with cheers ant
clapping of hands.
| Dunmore Makes a Speech.
When Rich appeared it was not quit,
time for the Populist house to meet, but
Speaker Dunmore raped for order anG
made a short speech: 1.-The Republicans
have begun this thing and we will nov
carry it out. We, by passing bills, hav'
offered an opportunity for our Republican
friends to bring this trouble to q settlement
b the couEtss bus potwithstsndjna thai