The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-03-28
MARCHING ON WASHINGTON.
Some in Rags, Some in Tags, Some
in Velvet Gowns.


CANTON, o., March 25.-Coxey's
Army of Conmonweal moved out OF
Massillon to-day on schedule time.
There we're perhaps seventy.6ve strag-
glers in line at the start aud twenty
1--WE less when Canton. eight miles
away was reached. Carl Browne. chief
marshal, who headed the procession was
mounted on q white horse and was fol-
lowed by half a dozen aides, all mount
ed on horses belonging to. Coxey who
rode 10 . carriage drawn by q pair Of
spirited steeds. The procession consis.
ted Of the narshals, Coxey. his wife and
SISTER, : bngier. four covered wagons
containing camping outfits, baled straw
and several quarters of beef; q brass
baad that played all kinds of mucic at
once and the soldiers Of the common
veal on foot. They marched single file
and two abreast, as pleased their fan
cy, and, With very few exceptions, we're
hard looking citizens. This they claim
ed, was not their fault. but the fault OF
our system of government.
The weather was pleasant when the
start was made, but the procession was
soon overtaken by a serve snowstorm.
This had q depressing tendency, and q
number Of assertions we've reported be-
fore Reeduburn, the. first stop. was
reached. After a brief stay at Reedu.
burn, the army resumed its onward
march, and reached Canton shortly Of
ter 4 o'clock, where Camp Lexiugtop
vas pitched. Coxey is enthusiastic aud
claims that the movement thus far ex-
ceeds his most sanguiue expectations.
but this is hardly in keeping With is
former declarations. On the march
from Massillon to Canton, the army
vas followed by a mob of nearly a
thousand people in carriages, on horse
back and afoot. They made the welkin
ring With their cheers and kept Coxey
constantly bowling and lifting his hat.
On reaching Canton, the army was
greeted by fully 10000 people, who
we're crowded on the sidewalks aud IN
windows and in balconies along the
street. Every one regarded the affair
a. a huge joke and good humor pre-
vailed On all sides. Camp Lexington
was pitched on a vacant lot near the
work house shortly after 4 O'Clock aud
che tramps. constituting the Army of
Commonweal. at ouce began building
bonfres. scattering straw upon the
ground and making other preparations
to keep comfortable during the night.
The army has had to start on. its
march without a goddess of peace, as
no maiden could be found to assume
that role. Instead of a goddess. how
ever, a burly negro has been enlisted
to carry the banner, thus giving the
African a c representation in the
movement. One group Of Eve soldiers
deserted in a body before Canton was
reached Their marshal thought the
celestial powers we're not exercising
proper discretion in sending a snow
storm upon the advancing hosts and
advised his men to break for a passing
freight train. They needed his advice
aud have not been heard from siace.
1t is feared by some Of Coxey's lieut.
tenants that there will be more deser-
tions before morning unless the wealth
er modera.es owing to the prevalence
of comfortable hay mows in these
parts. Coxey's life insurance policy.
it was learned to-day has been re-
yoked, the officials of the company
fearing he may meet wish a violent
end before finishing his present enter
prise.
Massillon and Cantos have been
crowded all day with people who have
come in from surrounding towns to see
the ..passiDg of Coxey."
New York. March 25-A special to
a morning paper from Massiilon, O..
signed by Hugh 0'Donnel. the labor
leader. says: Unless Coxey eau man
age to raise $4,000 by next Wedoes-
day, be is probably q ruined man He
still owes that amount on the cele-
brated stallion Acolyte, aud the for
mer owner of the horse. Col. James E.
Pepper. holds a mortgage on the horse
and other property of Coxey to pro-
tect that amount. Coxey purchased
the stallion for $40. 600 aud gave notes
for that amount. He paid off $4,000
and ewes $24. 900. The former owner,
alarmed by the reports of Coxey's To-
sane movement, sent his son here this
week to take a survey of the situation.
The result is that attorneys were IN.
s,ructed to proceed against Coxey to.
day, but after a long conference, 1t
was agreed to give the president Of the
Good Road Association until Wednes-
day to settle.
Coxey's entire property is heavily