Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-03-26

called the Chicago commune. Two
hours before the time for
departure the tents were pulled
down and preparations made for the
trip. Outsiders were directed to leave
the field and await the Commonweal on
the main streets Of the town. Camp
wagons aud saddle horses we're brought
iu from Coxiana and the soldiers had q
busy time Of 10. A diversion was caused
oy bulletin from Coxiana announcing
that steamer loaded with recruits had
just passed that point from Canton.
The steamer made the trip Of niue miles
in two and a half hours, but only few
men from Canton were enrolled.
The start from MaSs!llon resembled
the moving OF an old time country cir
Gus more than anything else. There
was no Goddess OF Peace Ia she process
sion, as Coxey had designed, his divOrc-
ed wife refusing 20 permit her daughter
% 60 with the army 10 that capacity.
Coxey's son. Jesse, a boy Of sixteen,
was mounted on a blooded stall
lion from the stock farm and wore a mil
itary uniform. Browne and the officers
we're similarly mounted, while the Gen
eraI" rode in a phaetOn behind one Of
his favorite horses. Mrs. C0xey, her B.
vear-s0n, ard the housekeeper for the
Coxeys rode a buggy. The rank and
file of the army brought Up the rear on
foot. following the band wagon, which
very much resemb,ed gypSJ's
travelling conveyance. The mu-
siciaus did their best to
enliven the soldiers, and the many gay
banners added fantastic elements 10 the
pageant. Before the start the noon day
rsti0ns were dispensed. They consist
ed Of q can Of salmon aud loaf OF
bread for each group Of five and small
slice Of ham for each man. This seem
ed 90 satisfy the men, and they marched
away with light heart and 0uoyant
step.
Coxey's army is quSrtered at Camp
Lexington. Police authorities say IL Is
largely composed OF tramps who have
been lodging ia the city prison the
greater part of the winter. Looking
at the majority of them, no one would
dispute the police verdict. II the war
riors are not tramps they look it and in
their present Rarb they will have a
hard time convincing people to
the contrary. There was a sufi-
cient quantity Of food for supper. 10
consisted Of coffee. cooked in an open
iron kettle over bonfire, crackers,
bread and canned fish. There was moth
ing left for breakfast but local populists
and prohi0.tionists agreed 10 ind the
army that meal and they doubtless will
fare better tomorrow than to-day. Not
one ia ten OF them have blankets.
straw in the tents is scarce
and the weather cold. The lit
tie wind and scattering snow
flakes OF the afJeru- % rlpened into a
full grown snow storm about dusk.
Fifty two 0f the company applied AZ
police headquarters for lodging, and
were accommodated. C0Xey is at the
hotel. a guest of the landlord. Browne
had similar invitation, but declued,
SAYING it was his duty 70 stay by bis
men. They deny the recruits are
tramps, but ell i'm they are unemployed
wOrkingmen who cannot afford 70 dress
better. The township was thronged
with people, many OF them
strangers. There was no dis
order and no special police protection.
Several sm8. thefts while people were
40 church have been reported. Street
car service was doubled on the MasSillOn
line and 90 the camp grounds, many
visiting b0th places At the
camp they were kept at good distance
by ropes stretched around the grounds.
A few recruits enlisted when the army
arrived, aud Browne told about thirty
other applicants 20 come around In the
morning for iorma. registration. The
latter were organized In groups.