The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-25
LEAD OUT OF TOWN.
LeavenWOrth Excited Over In
vading Missouri Miners.
Bells Rang Out the Alarm Call
ing Out Citizens.
TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT,
TheSheriff Conducted theMiners
Quietly Away.

LEAVENwORTH, Kan. May 25.-
There was intense excitement in
this city yesterday afternoon. At
APO o'clock the court house bell rang
out the alarm signal which had been
agreed upon Wednesday, and every
one knew that the army of striking
coal miners from Ray and Lafayette
counties, Missouri, had entered the
city.
Almost instantly the streets were
alive with armed men hurrying to the
court house to be sworn in as special
deputies. Thousands of citizens
gathered along Fourth street, known
as the Kansas City road, to await
the arrival of the invading forces
Shortly after p. m, the head of
the advance column appeared. The
men were marching brisl1ly four
abreast, and so far from being the
blood-thirsty wretches that had been
popularity expected, they looked posi-
lively forlorn, and scarcely one of
those who saw them could help a feel
ing of. compassion for them.
At their head marched two color
bearers, carrying the national stand
ard, and between them marched Cap
tain Phil Vail, stumping along pain
fully on his wooden leg. There was
triHe over 100 men in the command,
and everyone of them had been
shower that had just passed. The
thick coating of dust, gathered during
the three days march, had caked
into mud, and altogether the army
presented an aspect that was posi-
lively pitiful.
AS the column passed between the
throngs of spectators, it made feeble
attempt at enth usiasm, and gave
several cheers, but the shouts lacked
strength, and were painfully artificial.
To the intense surprise of the as
sembled citizens, the rear of the
Rothenberger and a score of deputies,
all plainly on the best of terms with
the invaders and evidently making
no attempt to interfere with their
progress.
Then it developed that the strikers
sheriff and were simply passing
the city to the new bridge
by which they would cross the river
and march back to their homes
through Missouri-the shortest route.
The expedition had been given up al
together. Half of the invaders were
already turned back under General
Ryan and marching to Kansas City by
the road they had come
Upon getting the strikers well on
the bridge, Sheriff Rothen berger
halted them and made them a little
their word with him and congratulat- |
ing them upon the avoidancc of all |
trouble.
The men were then marched across !
the bridge, where they were furnished |
supper by the sheriff, and the posi-
Oility of any trouble was passed.
When Sheriff Rothenberger and his |
deputy started to meet the strikers |
hey were thrown off the track by the |
strikers changing their original plan |
IF march, the latter having concluded I
% come to Leavenworth by what is I
Known as the river road. 1t was not |
until late in the afternoon, therefore, /
hat the sheriff caught up with them
1t Pope station, on the missouri Pa
,ific railroad.
A stormy time followed, with
peech making, until the strikers
inally agreed to abandon their Leav-
,nwOrth movement.
The command of strikers, however,
e parate fully one-half turning back
It Pope station to retrace their steps
o Missouri via Kansas City, while the
'ther half proceeded to this city and
vas disposed of as related above.