The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-02
wAR-LIKE SCENES.
The Streets Filled with Armed Militia
-Kolb's Speech.


MONTGOMERY, Ala, Dec. 1-All
day the streets of Alabama's State
capital resounded with the tramp of armed
men and the roll of drums. The early
morning sun glistened on hundreds of
bristIing bayonets, marking the arrival and
presence of portion of the State militia
to participate in the Inauguration of Gov
ernor-elect w. c. Oates. The mere pres
ence of troops on this occasion was not an
unusual occurrence in itself. 1t has long
been the custom of the State militia to
participate in the inauguration ceremonies.
There was one unusual feature in connec-
ton with their presecne, however. Each
OF these men, at the direct order of. Gov.
Jones, carried forty rounds of ball cart
ridges for his rife. with other rounds close
at hand. AS they trudged steadily up the
streets in close order there was a show in
their manner and bearing of readiness for
whatever might come There was another
body of men on the streets who made no
display of force, but who were easily rec
ognized They were tall, gaunt country
men with sullen faces and clad in rough
clothes and slouch hats. They came into
town in small groups by train. in wagons
or ON mules. They did not appear to be
armed made no boast ~ buster, but went
about with cowed air and tsazed wrathful-
ly on the militia. They came here on Capt.
Kolb's request to see him sworn In as
Governor "by the grace of God" but with
out the form of law.
Governor Jones said. this morning that
he did not anticipate trouble. but was pre-
pared to stamp 1t out promptly if it should
appear 81 have ordered the militia to
carry ball cartridges, so as to be ready for
action, if requested he said. He regarded
the threats ID mutterings of Kolb as a
bluff AS the morning wore on there ap-
peared to be an increase in the number of
countrymen in the city. The militiamen os-
tentatiously showed themselves around the
streets, with their guns and their ammuni-
ton belts studded with bail cartridges.
Governor Jones and his staff went to the
Statehouse early in. the morning, and were
busily engaged in making preparations to
prevent violence at the inaugural exercises.
KOLB TAKES THE OATH.
At caucus of the Kolbites last night 1t
was decided to assemble at the Statehouse
at o'clock to-day one hour in advance of
the Inauguration and have Kolb sworn in.
Some difficulty was experienced in getting
an official to administer the OATH. Two
Populist judges. sympathizers with
the cause declined on the ground that
they would lose their Offices by being inn
peached for treason. At II o'clock a mes
sage was received at the Statehouse that
Captain Kolb had taken the gubernatorial
oath in downtown Office and was coming
to the Statehouse to make his speech. Gov
ernor Jones issued orders to give free ac-
cess to the Statehouse grounds as long as
those who entered behaved in an orderly
manner. Captain Kolb had been sworn In
by James M. Powell. a justice of the peace.
the ceremony occurring in the law Office Of
Warren Reese. At the same time the oath
was administered to j. c. Fanville. as Sec
retary of State. w. T.-Lynch, Auditor:
]. p. Oliver as Superintendent Of Education,
and Warren Reese. Jr.. as Attorney-gen-
eral. Kolb and his cabinet then proceeded
to the Statehouse for the purpose of MAX
ing a speech. He was followed by several
hundred Of his adherents. They marched
M the stateho6se steps through the ranks
of assembled militia and took their places
beside the identical portico upon which
JEFFERSON Davis was declared President OF
the Confederate States In few minutes
Governor Jones sent for Captain Kolb. who
was escorted into his presence By Lieuten-
ant 1rwie. Of the regular army.
II understand, SIR" said 0overuQr JoueoI