The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-11
WEALERS DRIVEN OUT
Virginia Militia Drives Them
Out of the State.
Said to Have Become a Nuisance
at ROsslyn.
THE TORCH APPLIED.
Their Huts Made of Boughs and
Straw Burned.


of Virginia shortly after daybreak this
morning by the militia of that state
The raid was made without the least re-
sistance from the armies" The huts
which had been erected from boughs of
trees, straw, hay and other materials
which could be secured, are but rem
nants of their former appearance.
After their occupants had been forced
from them the torch was applied and
every vestige that the flames could de-
stroy was burned At s o'clock this morn
ing the men were lined along the walks
of the acqueduct bridge which joins the
outskirts of Washington with the state
of Virginia, watching their only prop
erty 60 up in smoke. They had been
forced upon the bridge but there the
authority of the militia ended and the
industrials knew it.
Many complaints had poured in upon
Governor O'Farrall within the past week
or ten days of the growing nuisance at
Rosslyn, for which there seemed to be
no remedy, but a complete routing of the
commonweaiers by the military.
After mature deliberation and CONSUL
tation. Governor O'FarralI detailed three
companies of the First Virginia re egiment
at Richmond, and the Alexandria light
infantry under command of AdjuJant
General Anderson. The militiamen were
, equipped for field service with twenty
rounds Of ammunition each. The troops
started at midnight and reached Rosslyn
at 3 d. m, where they camped awaiting
daybreak before the raid should be
made.
The industrials we're not unaware of
the presence Of the militia, for shortly
before midnight the word WAS passed
around that they were to be routed from
their camp. Soon ali became hustle and
excitement Several camp fires in addi-
tion to those already lighted, were light
tent.
The entire camp seemed to be afoot
! from the time the scouts were sent
among the men. They uttered some
threats TO the Associated Press reporter.
saying they would crack the heads of any
/ person who would attempt to 60 into the
campaign.
Inc tents and improvised huts were
crowded with sleepers at IL D. N. and
scores Of men were lying about the fires
on the ground, some with pieces OF
( blankets and bits OF rugs over them, and
! some shivering in the cold without any
/ thing but their meagre clothing. Sev-
1 eral complained Of sickness, not a few
suffering from malaria.
Al just dawn the militia appeared and
/ marched to the acqueduct bridge. From
Z that point a line OF skirmishers was
/ drawn around the entire camp and the
i indus rails were hemmed in on all sides,
4 their only exit being the acqueduct
bridge TO Washington. Strict orders
We're given to allow 10 man to pass back
/ into Virginia
General Anderson and his officers then
went to the leaders of the iudusirials and
told them in plain, but courteous and
kindly language that they must leave
/ the state. An hour was allowed for
breakfast and gathering up what little
/ effects each might desire TO take away.
i All of them except one contingent offered
! to go without i word Of protest, but the
California men said they wished a show
of force before they stirred. Promptly
/ at o'clock Il company of the militiamen
was marched down the steep slope to the
banks of the river where the Coxeyites
! had made their homes. General Ander-
son said: Here is your show Of force;
/ now you must go"
After the camp had been routed and
all the picket line drawn in q company
was sent back to the flats upon which the
men we're encamped and in few min
utes the flames we're destroying every
thing that had been left behind.
Il was said that there were between 800
and 400 men in camp when the raid oc-
cirred Three men were too sick 10 be
forced, and were allowed to remain in
camp and Gen. Anderson sent the sur
geon of the militia to give them medical
assistance. They Will be removed TO a
hospital today.
Soon after coming down to his Office,
!
lice, went to the office of the district
! commissioners and had a conference
/ with them with d view Of devising means
/ Of getting the cOmmonwealers QUITO the
district. 1t was decided that the police
should take charge of the industrials
and escort them TO some suitable place,
most probably in Georgetown, until ar
rangements can be made for shipping
them to the west
This, It Is believed, can be accomplish
ed in two or three days, a the commits
( siOners have some funds al their 4 posal
and will receive some assistance from
I citizens who wish to rid Washington OF
the sO-calied armies of unemployed.
Meantime The men will be kept under
surveillance by the police.
The district authorities are not little
vexed at the summary action of Gov
O'Ferrall in forcing the indusfrials from
Virginia soil During the past few days
satisfactory progress in having the men
returned to the west has been made
more than a hundred having been fur
nished transportation in that direction.
Pending a decision as to where to tenn
porarily corral them. the unemployed re-
main on the aqueduct bridge uncertain
Of what will be their uext experience.
Read the wants" Many of them are
as interesting as news itemA See il ii