Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-02-23
The sheriff Takes Hold.

The sheriff Takes Hold.
TOPEKA, Kan, Feb. Yesterday
afternoon Sheriff Wilkerson was in
command OF an army equal 10 II not
larger than that Of Commander.in-Ch Chief
Lcwelling. All Of his deputies who are
not a ready holding places In Repre-
sentative hall were mustered toy ther
In Lincoln Post hall A. NJ. Fuller.
ex-sheriff and ex-cnief OF police, was
appointed as chief deputy. Then the
force was divided into twenty compa.
MES of forty men each, and twenty
captains were appointed by the sheriff
70 command them Nom but deputits
were permitted inside TIE hall.
In quiet but determined manner
the sheriff told the men Of his plan,
and what he would expect OF them IN
case OF au emergency lie had no in-
tention, he sad, Of maxi < a charge on
the militia in possession of the state
house unless his assistance was asked
for by Speaker Dougless. OF the hou e
OF representatives When the speaker
called upon him he said he proposed to
lead his men to Il preventative hall and
protect the mrmb RS of the legislature
In the lawful discharge OF their duties.
After the organization of the COM
panics had been perfected and the sew
eral captains had give brief instruc-
tions to their COMPANIES, the doors
were opened and the men were permit
ted to pass in and out at their p pleasure.
They were caut oned, however, TO re-
port at the hall at frequent intervals
that no unnecessary delay should be
had when their services were required.
All OF the sheriff's deputies are armed
Some have shotguns and others Win
chcsters Those unable to procure
large guns carry rcvolvcrs. Many
OF them have the entire equipment
of privates in the national guard. They
do not say where they obtained the
belts bearing the familiar letters u. $.
ON the buckles or the rides with bay
onets attached One young man with
soldier cap and militia gun and
bayonet, when asked where he pro-
cured his equipment, replied that he
was member of n ,ecre society which
provided its members with guns. Then
he winked knowingly, looked brave
aud marched proudly away with squad
Of his companions
II seemed that a majority OF the men
on the streets and in the hotel Hobbies
wore IA red ribbon with the words
Deputy Sheriff" printed upon IT, All
claSses.Of citizens wore the distinguish
ing badge of the peace officers Labor
ing men, mechanics aud professional
men with n large sprinlsling of boys
from the schools and colleges mingled
together, eager for the word Of com
mand, which most of them sincerely
hoped would not be- long delayed.
About o'clock the companies began
marching toward the Copeland hotel
and Ia an hour all had congrcgatcd in
that vicinity, which ia but block re-
moved from state house square There
they waited patiently for something to
turn up which would make ii neces-
sary for them 10 march TO Representa-
tive hall.
Telegrams from all parts of the state
were received by both Speak r Douglass
and Gov, Leweliing rendering the scrv-
Ices OF men for duty Speaker Douglass
turned his kilograms over TO Judge
Strong, of the supreme court commits
sion, and the judge promptly accepted
all pruifcred services by wire. During
the day several companies of men,
bearing arms and ready TO fight for
the republican house, arrived in the
city. The most imposing of them was
body OF twenty-four men from
Troy, Doniphan county. Twenty
two Of the company carried double
barreed shotguns and the other two
had Winchester rides. All were large
and powerful men and were well
drilled They too quarters at the Ma
tional hotel and reported for duty to
Sheriff Wilkerson. They were then
sworn in aud donned the distinguish
ing badge of the sherir's deputies
Another company known as the Rob-
inson rifl S, iifty-three strong, under
command of w. II. Sears, came in and
reported to Adjt.Geu, Artz for duty,
They hailed from independence, Mont.
gomery county