Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-04-27
KELLYS TRAMPS
Cause Excitement at
Council Bluffs.
Their Sympathizers Seize Train
at That Point.

When the committee reported that the
Kelly army had not yet obtained transporta-
ton from Omaha. Nrh. the agreed signals
were given. church bells were rung, whistles
were blown. and the work,ngmen Of the city
To the number of 5000 turned out and
thrOnged jefferson square. After the report
was heard. the crowd organized and elected
officers and, started on foot for Council
Bluffs The manager Of the bridge line offered
them the free use of the bridge, and two
abreast they started on their long walk.
They were met in Council Biufr~, Ia, by
delegation OF workingm'n ot that pla"" and
all marched to Baylis~ Park and elected
committee To wait on the railroad officials
and make known their demands.
A mas meeting OF the women Of Council
Bluffs was held IN the opera house, and they
marched in body to where the conference
was held and demanded that the Kelly army
be given train.
The members of the committee were given
to understand that transportation would not
be furnished to Kelly and his men. This in
formation was conveyed to the waiting thou
sands who had congregated about the court
house to await the coming OF Chairman Itch
nor When he announced the result of the
conference il was greeted with howls, jeers
and hisses. After making short address, he
stated that the committee had decided TO
wait until 1 O'Clock at which hour, II train
was not furnished one would be taken and
run out to kelly'S camp whore his men would
be loaded on aud started on their eastward
journey. He spoke in strong terms against
violence and cautioned the men against any
destruction Of property.
The crowd then moved To the Union Pact
A. transfer. and had been there but n few
minutes when a train stopped. Ii was bound
c. nll,Nrnl th trInna,
Down in the yards were Union Pacific engine
$40 having three empty ears. The crowd
made dash for this engine and captured II
in jiiTy aud was soon heading 1t for the
bridge and Omaha
The capture Of the locomotive inspired
another crowd Of sympathi2ers with more
courage and when Union Pacific engine 1923
pushed a string Of ears into the yards tue
mob rushed for and easily captured II. Two
younggirl~ were in the front rank Oithosr Who
rlamhored up the cab steps aud on the tender,
where they trlumphantly waved the Amcri-
can tia!. In less than a minute the engine
and ears were covered with people.
The men in the lead frantcally waved their
arms and shouted to the crowd, but their
voices were drowned by the cheers OF the
mob which was increasing in number as
though 10y magic. Dozens Ot women were In
the crowd -urging about the train and they
were jOStlrd and kHOrkcd about, but they
pushed rhe'rrd or hnOtel with the rest, The
engine and train was run up and down the
+ tracks with the engine bell changing and its
whistle blowing and the steam kissing from
the Escape valves, Ia tho a""nmlnuiment al
cheers from thousands II thrnats. TIL" other
/ locomotive was then dismissed
Finally a train consisting Of ii box ear
was made up aud loaded with sympathHer'
started amid much cheering for Weston. III,
progress NJ the train, however, was STOPPED
! when one mile w,St of Weston. The railrna.
| had sent ont men tn tear up the track he
| tween CouncIl Bluffs and Weston, and they
/ had already gotten several railsup. 4 number
/ of Krllv's men appeared aud made the rail-
/ readers put the track in order. The trarA
/ was also torn up for some distance east o
! Weston.
! When the trair reached Weston II wa
! greeted with cheers, but those on board wrr'
/ surprised when Kelly advanced in dignlllr'
and quiet way aud announced his d"clSioI
not to ace ,pt tn" train. ~ under his rules g
peace he r0uld not do what would he an eN
| press violation Of the law lie greeted hi
friends warmly. however. and an open al
meeting was held at which speeches Of f"liri
tation were made by Kelly his lieutenants an'
| the visitors
Kelly announced hat he, with his army
would start on foot for Council Blutls. Tn
object Of the return is 10 arrange anothe
outlet and II il probable the army will <,
down the river by boat.
The Union Pacific made formal deman'
| on Mayo BrmiS Of Omaha, and uONernn
Crounse OF Nebraska for protection OF II
property. The Governor has the two loca
militia companies under arms awaiting or
ders in their armores.