The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-01

telegram was handed to COXey from the
Populist convention now in session at
Harrisburg and read as follows: "The
POpulist convention now in session here
sends greetings and expresses a hope
that you will receive a fair hearing for
the principles you have SO nobly advo-
Gated"
Pennsylvania avenue, as the dusty pro-
cessiOn wheeled into it, looked more like
circus in town than anything else.
There were number of eXcursionists on
the street, mostly country people in their
best clothes. The peanut stands did
thriving business and circus lemonade
was in demand. The nurse girl, with a
mbulator, was also feature. The
nature of the crowd was wholly that of
curious sight-seers and showed no ap-
prehension of any disorder or riot.
On the corner of 14th street was
badges on. But they were not men who
marched with Coxey. One of them ac
costed a passing policeman as familiar
acquaintance. Apparently they were
bound to see the fun
Al the Top of the Hill.
There was little Of actual interest in
the walk up Pennsylvania avenue to the
capitol grounds. Here the procession
moved up B street to the top of the hill,
where a broad expanse of avenue swept
toward the east front of the capitol.
This was Coxey's goal and there was
avenue.
But as the opening was reached, a
solid front of mounted policemen
was seen. They stretched from curb
to curb, making ingress toward the
capitol impossible. There was nothing
to do, but NOW down the officers or go
ahead. The squad OF police ahead of
COxey's carriage went straight ahead
1t was ruse to carry the procession past
the capitol
Coxey and his people showed their
chagrin, but followed on street. Hur-
ried signals were passed from the car
riage to Browne. 1t was clear they
would not be thus led willingly away.
Half block up B street Browne halted
his column and dismounted. He
tendant. Then he went to Coxey's
carriage and spoke to the gen
eral Coxey turned to get out, but
his wife tried to restrain him. He
paused and kissed her. Then he sprang
from his carriage and made his way
back toward the entrance to the capitol
A bowling mob was on his heels, but
the flank movement was appreciated.
They Went Through the Shrubbery.
Browne followed bearing his banner.
The rank and file of the army stood in
the street. The squad of police sud
turned back. Quickly the officers
spurred through the crowd after Coxey
and Browne. The two had found
b street impossible. Coxey sprang to the
heavy stone paving which surrounds the
east front of the capitol grounds and
with d bound was inside the fence lost
amidst the tangled shrubbery. Browne
followed. The mob shouted at their dis
appearance. The police were not to be
daunted by this escape into the shrub
berry. The first officer mounted on
a fine bay, reigned his horse
toward the stone fence and then
horse and rider cleared the fence and
dashed into the shrubbery. The other
mounted officer followed Small trees,
bushes and flower beds went down be-
fore the sweep of horsemen and the yell
ling crowd which followed Coxey and
Browne lodged through the bushes to
the open area at the east front Here a
blue-coated mass awaited the officers
There was crash as the
fugitives, officers and the bowling
Fmob from the street met the
wall of officers and people in the open.
The onslaught was sudden that
the officers broke for moment. The
people shouted Coxey and Browne
were lost for the moment The police
men stemmed the rush after minute
freely
Gets to the Tenth step.
In the intense excitement of the rush,
Coxey had slipped unobserved through
the struggling mass and before any one
knew it was bounding up the east front
entrance to the capitol. He was up to