Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-03-03
CIVIL War In KANSAS.
The Rival Political Parties
Come to Blows.
The Governor Calls Out the En-
tire State Militia.

~AO0Scs every SJep ana HdlI"dy Is
by the Kansas State Militia and sixty-four
Republican members Of the lower house of
the Legislature can neither make their es-
cape nor receive food or information Of any
kind from the outside world Men
are running no and down the
streets of Topeka like mad and the widest
excitement prevails. Nearly every militia
company in the State has been ordered TO
Topeka by the PopuIist Governor, and from
all over the State dispatches are
pouring in to the Republican members
telling Of armed citizens who have re-
sronded to the Republican members call for
assistance. Every partisan in the city car
ries revolver, and 20) Republican SER
geants-at-arms are armed with either a
musket or revolver and some of them with
both.
The remarkable condition of affairs which
has led to the warlike demonstrations was
caused by the fact that the long controversy
between the Republican and Popuist
Houses had come to a crisis and that open
riot had followed. The Republicans bat
tered down the doors of Representatives
Hall and forciby took possession.
AT O'clock the stairs leading to the main
entrance of Representatives Hall was
guarded by about dozen fopulists. 1t
was the intention OF the PODulists to admit
all the members of the Republican House
but the employees of that body and all visi-
tors were to be excluded. The guards at
the top were armed.
At O'Clock the Republicans formed at the
cortland House and started for the State
House; Leading the procession, arm in arm,
were Speaker Douglass and Speaker pro
tenn. boch. At their side, acting as sergeant
or chief marshal, was J. A. Cubbisen. The
members marched in twos and following
them large crowd of men.
The procession met with no opposition
until it reached the main stairway leading
up to the hall. Here stood a repre-
sentative OF Adjutant-G eneral Artz
completely barred the way Back Of
them on the stairs other men,
completely choking the narrow passage. A
large crowd of spectators had gathered in
the hall adjacent to the stairway, and when
all the Republican members mad fairly
entered the east wing of the building the
rush was tremendous.
The guards resisted and tried to in
tlmldate the Repubiicans with display of
wea IONS. j. ". Butterfeld, who had OBJ
tai. ID an entrance through the press door,
appeared at the head Of the stairs and
shouted:
MEN, for Gods sake don't shoot. Don't
be rash. Let there be no bloodshed. Come
on, the way is clear"
This diverted the attention of the guards
and the crowd rushed forward with ire
sistlble force. One guard was struck
in the face and dropped his gun. The
others were driven into the hall, but
they locked the doors behind them
Republicans poured into the hall through
the cloak room. The main door was still
locked and the Populist guards had disap-
peared with the key. Speaker Douglass had
provided himself with sledge hammer,
and, after making three demands that
the door be unlocked, he pro-
ceeded to break the panels with
the hammer, assisted by Representatives w.
b. Swan and A. G. Sherman. The first
blow tore a large hole in the heavy door
TJRR of no
Clemens aimed blow at Representative
Swan, striking him in the han<.
Another Populist drew a Winchester to
his shoulder and was about to fire on the
crowd, but desisted when he found himself
covered by two revolvers in the hands of
geant-at-Arms iso Mr. as sW Ssn.AnS who "si is
boiler maker by trade, soon broke the
lock on the main door, and, with wild cheers,
the Republicans entered and took possession
7f the hail. Some of the guards and two or
three members were rather roughly handled
during the conflict, but there were no serious
results
Business proceeded as though there had
been no disturbance. The Populist mem-
bers we're not present, and the Populist
guards, doorkeepers and other officers were
forced 20 retire from the hall, although no
effort was made to exclude the regular OPP
ullSt members who hold certificates OF cleo
ton.
AT noon the Republicans had entire con-
troll of the hall, and the Popuists did not
attempt to hold session. No adjournm enG
was taken at noon but at 20 o. 10. dinner
was served to the Republicans by five col.
ored men from the Copeland Hotel.
During the afternoon the PopuIists, who
have charge OF the machinery of the State
House, turne1 off the water, electric lights
and heat from Representative Hall.
X Is. WEIGH. of Topeka, was sworn in
as Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, and in
Structed to swear in 200 or more deputies to
assist IN supporting the Republican House
WEIGH IS a large and powerful man, and his
first act to kick down a heavy door
to a room which was said to conceal an
armed body of Popusts. 1t was found to
be unOccupied. He then sent to the Wash
burn College and invoked the aid Of the
students of that institution to assist him in
preserving order and resisting any attempt
to overthrow the Republican organization.
About forty students volunteered for the
worE, and places were assigned to them in
the hall ana lobDies. Some were armed with
clubs and broomsticks, and all said they were
eager for a Scrimmage.
After the news of the conflict had been
circulated through the towns adjacent to
Topeka, the people commenced pouring into
the city from every direction, In wagons.
on horseback, and by rail. Most OF
the new arrivals were Popuist sym
pathizers. Fully 5000 people were
every inch of space in the State House
occupied. Information was given that 1000
Republicans were on the way from Leaven-
worth, 800 from Kansas CiGy and 200 from
Ottawa.
Governor Lewelling and Adjutant- General
Artz held conference and decided to order
out the militia, the Governor observing that |