The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-10-12
Then Matlock corroborated the

linen MatlOck corrOOOraUeu the
sheriff.
Regiment of armed men in posses
sion of the bank. Must have the pro
lection of the state at once. The sher-
iff is helpless"
To this the governor still incredu-
lousy replies: Regiment must have
transportation. How did it come? An
swer at once if it invaded the state
from Ohio"
Impossible to tel was the answer.
''No one knows how it got here. 1t
is drawn up on Main street at present.
Have failed to communicate with
officers"
After some delay, the governor sent
this word:
"Will arrive in the morning with
Adjt. Gen. Luscomb. Do nothing till
get there"
While this was going on an hour was
lost and it was three o'clock. At half
past three o'clock the regiment was
moved from the bank to the vicinity of
the company's works. 1t proceeded in
fine open order and was cheered along
the route by the people. A strong
guard was left at the bank and no one
allowed to enter.
On the companys common it was
again drawn up-a strong encirclihg
line of pickets thrown out and the fol-
lowing note sent about five o'clock to
the director:
"Sir:-The first battalion of the
workingmen's advance guard will pro-
tect property until the state takes pos
session. / shall encamp my men on
the outskirts until tomorrow. Let the
citizens retire to their homes till that
time"
After several attempts to see the
colonel, the sheriff sent communica-
ton to him:
"Sir:-Will you inform the authori-
ties of this county by what right you
invade this state. As the legally con-
stituted officer of the county, demand
that you appear before me and explain
your conduct under penalty of arrest"
To this the colonel made no answer.
It was six o'clock in the evening
when the regiment was marched to an
open tract on the southwest terrace
overlooking the town; strong guards
were thrown out in all directions and
apparent preparations made for going
into camp. AS there was nothing for
the town to do but wait the arrival of
the governor in the morning, it slowly
Quoted down. The camp fires of the
military burned in a long row on the
far terrace. The regular beat of the
drum was heard far into the night,
which was an unusually dark one, and
at twelve o'clock all was still
But as soon as it was light the
streets were thronged. There were
the fires on the terrace smoking as If
with preparations for breakfast and
the white tent of the colonel could be
plainly seen. The early train brought
in crowd of idle men, but the rail-
road officials denied having seen any
regiment.
As soon as the day was fairly arrived
crowds began to make their way to
the edge of the camp. The guard had
been withdrawn from the bank in the
night and at seven o'clock Matlock re-
ceived word that the regiment had dis
appeared. He went immediately to
the bank with the sheriff. At the same
time the news of the disappearance
! spread like wildfre- Crowds over-ran
the camping ground. but not sign of
the soldiers could be found except the
smouldering fires, the remaining tent
and the strong smell of the trodden
grass. with here and there dropped
fragment of clothing-a cartridge or 9
piece of food.