The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-09-12


eral court yesterday, pleaded guilty aud
was sentenced to pay fine of SO. after
which Judge Williams gave him soma
touching advice relative to the duties of
citizens to a good government The gen
eral didn't have the wherewithal 10 pay
his fine, nor did any of those enthusiastic
Coxeyites, Rufe Cone, Colonel Bird, Judge
! Sankey or Whitney Tucker come to his
| relief
The general did not want to 90 to Jail,
for he telegraphed to member of the
| Populist state administration for money
with which to pay his fine, and thought
he should be given the freedom of the
town till Van Prather the state auditor
sent him the money DE- Medley, how
ever, thought bird in the hand was
worth two in the bush, and he sent him to
the county jail where he will be kept off
| the grass as it were, till he receives the
money.
| The general was seen by reporter for
! the EAGLE about 9 O'Clock last night at
his quarters in the Jail. He had retired
for the night. but had not yet fallen
asleep. All ceremony WAS waived in view
Of the circumstances aud without rising
he extended his hand in cordial welcome
when apprised of the object of the late
call. He talked freely, though guardedly,
when the conversation approached the
subject Of United States mail trains, upon
which he politely but firmly maintained a
rigid silence. Ia the course OF the inter-
view he said:
''This movement originated in the de
| mand for free and unlimited coinage Of
silver. We of the west felt that the people
of the east did not at all understand our
wishes or the financial and industrial con-
ditions of he west IL was to agirate this
matter that the Colorado contingent set
out. l did not organize my division. 1t
was spontaneous movement in which /
assisted. So did the entire community of
Cripple Creek | was elected TO lead the
army by the vote of mass meeting COM
posed of 5000 people, and including the
most wealthy and Influential citizens OF
Cripple Creek. The army was composed
nearly altogether of miners, some of whom
were mine or claim owners, or both, and
interested in the cause. We started from
Cripple Greek $50 strong and our number
was increased TO $50 by the time we
reached Pueblo"
In regard TO the arrest of the army at
Scott City, he said:
I'VE were arrested at Scott City on a
warrant which was made out by the
United States commissioner on the train
which carried the government authorities
to the scene of the arrest. 1t was made out
for the arrest of j. S Sanders, John Doe
Richard Roe and five hundred Others
We were arrested and taken to Topeka,
but in few days the government ban
doned its case on that warrant, and re-
commenced proceedings in due order by
issuing warrants which specified us all bv
name. Pending trial, we were kept
guarded upon the military reservation at
LsAvenworth. When the trial came OH
liz of the army were sentenced TO various
D. 49,
while my trial was postponed. There
were 81 that went on to Washington.
Nearly all the men have now gone back to
Colorado or will 90 soon. | shall follow
as soon as ! can get my affairs in shape"
All this time the general was reclining
at ease and speaking in a very pleasant
and unconcerned sort OF tone, He con-
tinued:
II got here this morning at o'clock from
Topeka l was under the impression that
my trial was set for today, ana as my wife
was not well | delayed starting until the
very last moment OF course l found my
bond forfeited and a warrant out for my
arrest when | read this mornings EAGLE.
Il concluded on view OF all the cir
cumstances of the case that it would be
best to plead guilty, so l went up To the
court room this afternoon and entered
that plea The warrant was not served as
my presence in the city was not known
TIL l entered the court room. Judge " IL
lams gave me a very kind, good-natured
talk in relation to the gravity of obstruct-
ing the mails, and fined me $50 and costs,
and said he hoped it would be a lesson to
me. YES" the general repeated thought
fully, 1.-THE judge is good man, and he
treated me very nicely, indeed"
The general WAS resting his fine, athletic
frame on cot with a spring mattress, in
relation to which and his immediate sur
roundings be said:
have wired for the money to pay my
fine and expect II tonight and that ! shall
walk out OF here in the morning free
man. But | am very comfortable this is
fine bed. | looked out for that, To see if
everything was all right before ] law down.
Yes, the beds all right. No, l never was
in Jail in my life. We were not locked Up
while we were under arrest"
Sanders is native of Springfield, No.
but has spent nearly all his life in the
mining states of the west. His speech Is
marked by certain provinciaisms which
testify TO his border origin but otherwise
his words are well chosen. He speaks
calmly, deliberately, almost with a'drawl. |
He did not at any time either inter an in !
yective or attempt n joke. He did not /
make light OF his situation nor did he at
all deplore il, and as the door OF his cell /
closed again upon him he was seen to |
wrap the drapery of his couch about him !