The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-05-02

the Industrial Army Followers and Dep
uty MarshaIs-The Marshals Overpower-
ed-Uored States Troops OrderedEOut.
BILLINGS, MONT, April 26.-The first
bloodshed resulting from the clashes OF
the law ;,nd the industrial army move
ment, which is now sweeping over the
country in a wave of monster proper
tions was witnessed here today. About
II o'clock this morning this little city
was thrown into wild excitement by
the announcement that the train-stea.-
ing contingent of the Coxey army was
rushing into the city on q Northern
Pacific train from the West at nigh
rate of speed closely followed by train
load of United States deputy marshals.
The truth of the statements was Terl'
fed few minutes before noon when
the train of box cars ran into town.
The CoXeyites were oVertaken by the
special train of the marshals just as
they entered the limits of the city.
After their arrival it was learned
that the marshal's train overlook the
Hogan contingent just as they were
pulling away from Columbus, and at.
tempted to arrest the progress of the
train bearing the 500 unemployed who
are in possession of the train. The
leaders would not yield to the demands
of the marshals to give up the train
and instructed their men to 60 ahead,
which was done. The two trains came
on during the forenoon hours until this
city was reached, when stop was or
dered, the conflict between the two
bodies resulting.
AS near as can be learned Marshal
McDermott ordered the leaders of the
captured train to surrender, and when
they refused to do so few of the mar
shals, before receiving a command to
do so, fired upon the crowd OF men on
the cars. The shots were quickly re-
turned by the industrials. A number
of shots were exchanged between the
parties before Marshal McDermott
could regain control of his men. Dur
ing the firing one of the deputies was
seriously wounded and one of the men
on the rear platform car was shot in
the groin. McDermott decided that
his men were not equal to thu odds
against them and ordered his men to
desist firing, which they did. The cap
tured train soon after pulled out from
the depot and McDermott notified the
authorities that his force was made
ouate TO capture the 500 men who were
determined to retain possession OF the
train. at the latest advices of the
train the captured train is pursuing its
way to Miles City, where it is expect
ed the national troops will arrest them
and recover the train.
WASHINGTON, April 25.-In addition
to the request of the Judge of the
United States Court, the United States
District Attorney and the United
States Marshal for the District of Mon
tana for Federal aid in arresting the
Hogan contingent of the army OF the
unemployed for seizing train at
Butte, Montana, against the mandate
of the United States Court, President
Cleveland has received the following
from the Governor of Montana which
was given to the press tonight:
ITO the President Of toe United
States: Information reaches me by
wire that band of Coxeyites fleeing
the State with stolen train were over.
taken at Billings by United States dep
uty marshals who were trying to serve
writ emanating from the United
States Court. A fight ensued. One
deputy marshal was wounded and
leader of the Coxeyites wounded. The
deputy marshais were oYerpoWered
and driven off with revolVers and other
weapons. The mob then surrounded
the deputies and now hold them pris'
oners. The train of Coxeyites IS within
few hours run of Fort keoh. 1t is
impossible for the State militia to over
take them. AS Governor of Montana !
hereby request you to have the Fedora
troops at Fort Keog intercept, take IN
to custody, arrest and hold these Cox
eyites subject to the orders Of the Uni
ted States Court issuing the writ re-
ferred TO. If the CoxeyiJes pass Fort
keog before orders can emanate from
you for neir apprehension, l request
that Federal troops be ordered 20 over
take them. PromptDess required.
"(Signed) G. E. RICKARTs,
Governor Of Montana"
Schofeld, commanding the army. last
night sent telegram to General Mer
rett, commanding the Department o1
Dakota, instructing him by direction
of the President, to have sufficient
force sent to arrest all persons engaged
in the unlawful seizure Of the North
ern Pacific train at Butte, and to hole
the train and all on board until they
can be delivered to the United State:
Marshal for Montana subject to the or
der of the United States Distric
| Court.
Already one or two trains have beer
seized and constant threats are being
made of seizing others. Attorney
General Olney today telegraphed tn
United States marshal of Washington
to use every means in his power tt
maintain the peace and the security o.
property. The United States marshal:
in Montana, North Dakota and Mime
sofa had previously been Instructed t.
the same effect and all of them are di
rected to promptly notify the Depart
ment of Justice the moment they art
unable to control the populace.
The order of the President for the
troops to intercept the Northern Pa
cifc train and arrest the runaway Ho
gan contingent was issued solely tt