The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-06-03

place. His stenographer, chief clerk and
Private Secretary King shared in the sup
pressed excitement that pervaded the entire
building. There were scores of messages
from the mining districts during the
morning, and by 10 o'clock it was
plainly evident that the troops were
to be called out. The Governor
had expected a letter from Judge
Heffron on the situation at Cannelburg.
and was somewhat annoyed at its nonar-
rival. but at $50 o'clock received the fol-
lowing telegram signed by Judge Heffron
and Sheriff Lemming:
There are now five hundred striking
miners at Cannelburg. They have torn
Ohio @ o sonthwestern ne % railwav' n e and '' have
thrown four cars off the track to prevent
the movement Of cars"
The receipt of this message dispelled any
doubts the Governor may have entertained
regarding a peaceful settlement OF the diff
ficulties. but he has been determined to
act all along with conservatism, and at
once wired the Daviess county officials,
asking if the troops were absolutely need
ed. The reply from Judge Heffron and
Sheriff Leming came at 1l:34, and was not
at all reassuring in its tone. The message
read:
badly and promptly. At least five hundred
miners on the ground. Track and trestle
torn UP. Cars turned over and on the
track. Company not permitted to repair
them"
These alarming messages, with one the
Governor had received the night before
from Daviess county. asking for troops ap-
peared to determine the chief executive to
act at once For an hour before noon he
was in close consultation with Adjutant-
general Robbins and other staff officials
1t was tacitly understood that the troops
were to be sent, and the conference was
able companies. While at Terre Haute.
Friday, Governor Matthews had consulted
with Judge Briggs of Sullivan county,
and had informed that official that he
thought Sheriff Mills ought to be able to
move the cars at Shelburn with posse
of twenty good citizens. but Judge Briggs
feared that it would be impossible to Sc
cure that many citizens who would be will
ing to assist the sheriff. The Governor
gave instructions to the Sullivan county
sheriff to make the attempt. The following
44s yesterday morning, explained that off,
cial's lack of success, and had also much
to do with the action Of the Governor:
Pursuant to your instructions 1 served
hfty-four of the very best class of citizens
and heavy taxpayers Of the county, and
sworn as special deputies, went with me
to Shelburn. With them and the aid of the
proper train crew, 1 attempted 70 move the
cars Of coal. The miners held a consulta-
tion and decided that the coal should not
be moved, and that they would permit the
same to go only when compelled TO do so
by superior force. We attached the engine
to the first coal car and attempted TO move
the coal train, but were unable TO do SO
by reason of the interference of the min
ers who were present in numbers greatly
superior to my own force. am unable to
enforce the law pursuant to your order
and proclamation, although have called to
my aid the power of the county. / there
fore submit the further facts TO your con-
sideration in addition to those filed in your
office. and ask you TO advise me promptly
OF your Intention.
At IL o'clock Governor Matthews, Ad-
jutant-general Robbins and Maj. L. NJ. De-
frees concluded a consultation in the pri-
vate executive Office. A few minutes be-
fore the Governor had read the last mes
sage from the coal fields, which stattd that
the troops were needed at once. There was
no further delay, and the telephone and
district messenger service Were put into
instant operation. Acknowledgment Rob-
bins was ordered to prepare nine companies
for departure, four of which were to go
from Indianapolis. Quartermaster-gener
Compton was summoned, and at once began
the work Of securing rations and camp
equipment. Acknowledgement Robbins put
himself in communication with Superin-
eendent Darlington, of the PENNSYLVANIA
system, and arranged for the transporta-
ton Of troops during the afternoon. BY l
clock the captains Of five Indianapo-
lis = companies were notified Of the
contemplated movement to the scene of
trouble and instructed to get their men
in readiness as soon as possible. The alac-
rity with which the young captains and ad-
iutants carried out their instructions was
something remarkable. By O'Clock strag-
Cling squads of young soldiers were seen
about the Statehouse lawn, and by o'clock
the appearance of the yard was decidedly
military. Company A, and Companies NJ,
Of the Second Regiment, and NJ. of the
Third Regiment (colored), stacked arms in
the yard and were ready to move Through
an error in the instructions to the Light
Infantry the officers of this company were
unable to find their men until late in the
afternoon. and it was nearly o'clock be-
fore the members drew up into line at the
armory in the Masonic Building. Then
there were delays in securing the proper
rations and in transporting the ammunition
to the deoot.
The scenes and incidents about the State
house yesterday afternoon were such as
| to recall to the minds of the older officials
| a similar event some thirty years ago
when hundreds of Indianapolis citizens saic
| goodbye to their friends on the old Capito
| grounds. There were bustling, brusque
| commanding officers and smooth-faced pri
Yates, and some of the latter looked upon
the confusion incident to the hurried ar
| rangements with startled eyes. The Office
| of Acknowledgement Robbins opens amos
| directly into the Governors apartments, and
| through this door there was constant
stream of business. Governor Matthews
| held frequent consultations with his pri
fe be