The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-04-24
WARMLY GREETED.
Kelly's Reception Continues to
Be an Ovation.
When Teams Give Out Fresh
Teams Are Furnished
BY FARMING PEOPLE.
Some Desertions Are Reported
Fron~]the Ranks,
But General Kelly Not Alarmed
at Them.
THEY SEIZE A TRAIN.
COmmOnweal at Butte Grow
Tired of Waiting.
They Man a Train and Start
Eastward.
Some DesertiOns Are Reported
Fron(the Ranks,
But General Kelly Not Alarmed
at Them.
THEY SEIZE A TRAIN.
COmmOnweal at Butte Grow
Tired of Waiting.
They Man a Train and Start
Eastward.

WALNUT, Ia, April 24.-Kelly's indus
trial army reached here at noon today
and after hasty luncheon marched on
to Atlantic, where they are due at g
o'clock tonight. The start from Avoca
was made about o'clock. The populace
turned out enmasse to bid the common
wealers good bye. The wagons that
brought the men from Nicola returned
and today sixty-three fresh teams fur
nished by the farmers in the adjacent
country were driven into camp at Avoca
and loaded with commonwealers.
The vehicles could hold only about
half the men and every five miles along
the road shifts were made to allow all
the men to take advantage of the trans
portation.
As the army came down the steep hill
and marched into Walnut it was received
with the same cordial welcome which has
characterized the reception since it left
Council Bluffs The town officials bid
Kelly welcome and the towns people
furnished plenty of enthusiasm and pro-
visions.
The stop here was brief and the army
was soon on its way again for Atlantic.
The distance from Avoca is 20 males.
The farmers greet the men on the march
with words of encouragement and now
and then well filed provision wagon
wheeled into line amid grateful cheers
from the men. A car load of provisions
from Omaha was promised at Atlantic
and the armysS chances for plentiful fare
at least as far as Des Moines are bright.
Some excitement was caused in the
camp late last night by the report that
two men had been poisoned A physi-
clan who Investigated the report said
that the men had taken an overdose of
cough medicine and were only slightly
ill.
Great Preparations Made.
At Atlantic preparation for the re-
ceptiOn of the army was made, and COM
mittees were busy arranging details and
collecting provisions. The army today
gave no evidence of the mutiny of yes
terday, Company G, of Sacramento. being
apparently as loyal as the others. A
successor to Col. Baker, who was dis
charged, and who ranked next to Kelly,
has not yet been chosen, but Col. Spead
of Sacramento, will probably be elected
at Atlantic tomorrow.
His popularity with the men is great
The commOnwealers are bitter in their
condemnation of Baker and his anticipat-
ed expose OF kelly's financial methods.
Should the ex-cOlOuel attempt to return
to the army he is likely to receive rough
handling. The men express great con
fidence in Kelly and are allowed to view
the accounts of the army whenever they
wish
Men Said to be DESERVING.
Soon after Kelly's army left Walnut
today at least hundred men left the
ranks and started across the country in
various directions. The long march
ahead ana the vanishing prospects of
securing a train caused a rapid dissOlvinp
of the enthusiasm which has heretofore
marked the progress of the army and the
men quietly dropped out
Kelly dlsclalmed any knowledge of
the 0RSertIOn4 hat heal e
but ten or twelve men who had quit, but
the men in the ranks acknowledged that
their comrades were leaving and the
fear was expressed that the desertions
would rapidly increase in numbers.
Many of the men who left began to ride
east on Rock Island freight trains and
others started on the return trip to
Council Bluffs. 1t was stated today bv
some of the railroad officials that 600
men had left the army since the depart
ure from Council Bluffs, but a careful
count failed to show that this is fact.
4 be army as it left Walnut numbered
1,l1S. but 1t is apparent that Kelly will
be fortunate If he reaches Des Moines
with 1000 The commander professed
no alarm at the number of desertions.
No Alarm Felt.
Seven of the men were secretly ar
rested in Avoca last night for disorderlv
conduct and were released today and
two OF them hurried after Kelly but
others apparently disgusted with the
campaign, started for Omaha. Sheriff
Hazen of Council Bluffs is following the
army with three deputies and claims
that several crooks are in the ranks.
Three Chicago detectives and three Pin
kerton men are also on the trail and il is
expected that Wholesale arrests will be
made at Des Moines. General Manager
Dunlap of the Rock Island reached At
lantic today and viii remain near the
commonwealers until they reach Des
Moines-
On the march today Kelly was hailed
by corps of men as he rode past them
and burly spokesmen stepped ont Of
the ranks and asked that the general all
low them to take train.
'sWe can do it. and we will do it oa,-
eral, if you will let u.s.
The commander emphatically denied
the request and told the men it would