The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1894-05-04
coxEYs CURIOUS CROWD.
Crazy COMMONWEALTH" h ave
Dono Their DO"
tRoM a BIC sANOlAN's POINT or vIrw.

men, which began at Massillon,
Ohio, on Easter Sunday. The pro-
gram fixed May LIST as the day for
the arrival Oft army at WASH
ington, but they came In Sunday
evening, April Goth, and went into
camp in a park In the suburbs. The
coming OF the "armyn had been
talked OF on the streets, IN the no
tells, and by everybody, until much
interest, or rather, curiosity, was
awakened and as a result a large
crowd was at the park to meet the
marchers.
Three hundred and twenty-six of
the dirtiest, LATEST and shabbiest
looking men ever gathered together
pitched their tents in the park.
Coxey cast his business eve over
the crowd and thought he saw a
chance to do a good museum bust
ness. Previous, however, TO the
arrival OF the army, he had learned
that II was necessary to pay Ii
cense fee Of five dollars per day for
the privilege OF doing business on
the side show plan. In order TO
escape the tax a notice was stuck
up in rough lettering stating that
no admission fee would be charged,
but that all who entered would be
expected to contribute something.
A gate was opened just wide
enough for one person to squeeze
through and the crowd filed in for
hours. The contributions ranged
from one cent TO one dollar.
! Coxey and his army were due at
the Capitol at twelve O'clock 10 day,
but 1t was after one before they
reached the entrance OF the Capt.
tol grounds. The streets were
crowded with spectators along the
whole course OF the march, who
greeted the army with considerable
demonstration in the way OF cheer
ing and whooping. Much of the
demonstration was given in deris-
ion, much in fun and but little 10
pathy. Nobody seemed to re-
gard the movement us a matter OF
importance or seriousness and no
trouble was expected. The police
force was increased by about as
many members as CoXey's army
contained, asa matter Of precaution.
In mnny respects the actions OF
! the spectators reminded one of the
crowd which Is always out to see
and follow circus parade in Lou
isa. They fell over each other in
thoir efforts to get close to the COM
pany Of tramps, and violated laws
which are ordinarily kept inviolate.
Notable among these was the
tramplng under foot Of the lawns
about the Capitol. The admonition
to keep oil the Grass there is en-
phasized by a law which provides
n heavy fine for a failure to do so
Nevertheless, some fellow who
could not make his way fast enough
through the crowded walks made
a break and hundreds followed in
rush. The police made no at.
tempt 10 stop them and every time
anyone started across In any direc.
ton hundreds would eagerly fol.
low, hoping to be led to the most
interesting point,
When the army reached The en-.
trance to the grounds they found a
solid body OF police blocking the
way and refusing them admittance
Coxey and Brown got over the
fence and made dash for the Cap
itol. A few 'wealers followed
Brown. The police pursued anC
captured them and CoXey was es
r corted to the steps of the building
, and presented to the Captain o
Capitol police. lie asked permits
sion to makoa speech but was re
fused. lie then wanted to read
) Iprotest but was not allowed to d.
so. CoXey was very pale, and hi
voice trembled aud showed mucl
excitement. lie was escorted b,
4 policemen back to his carriage OF
the outside of the grounds and re
q leased. Brown had not Jared $
WELL lie showed fight when over
taken and was dubbed and place,
g under arrest. The 'ew men wit
y him fought the police but wer
soon quelled. This riot was tn
. only troubled encountered and
: was OF short duration. CoXey ha
gone back into camp and has S,
cured q regular license allowin
him to charge an admission fee I
the camp. The novelty will 500
. wear off and the visitors will b
/" few.
a. Miss Coxey rode at the head {
Al the procession, dressed in whit
ID and mounted upon a white stee,
!, She did not seem very proud {
her position, be it said to her cree
1T. Coxey and his wife and bah
rode in n carriage. Brown wore
T. large hat and II leather coat an
a was mounted on fine horse. III
- Philadelphia contingent was le
oil by Miss Lavalette, dressed as Il
ie "Goddess OF Liberty
ne The rank and file OF the arm
:, was made up of foreigners, negro,
=, and men who would be whites
III they had few good baths in clio
ut succession. Their ages vary fro
rs the teens TO perhaps three-sco
years. But few Of those who stal
ed with the army at Massillon he
N out faithful on the long trip throus
~ the wilderness. Those who did NO
look footsore, lame and hungr
: In case OF u riot u soap and wat
brigade would be the most eifecti
p 1s force in quelling them, il we are ,
I'D lowed to judge from appearance,
eS The question which is troublil
w the people here Is, how are the m
~ to get back to their homes. n
'o route by which they came is doul
~ less still open. The trouble is tn
,s they will hesitate long before sta
ing home in the same hard ma
ner, knowing that the way won
IN be at least no easler. Then thu
| air castles are "bustcdn aud tn
buoyancy gone. The mon put
III much Of their time kicking abe
~ their short ratlons. They are NJ