The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-04-11

OAKLAND, Cal, April 6.-The city of
Oakland has had many exciting events
in its history, but nothing has occurred
here to compare with the turmoil caused
early this morning by a regiment of un-
employed men which left san Francisco
Wednesday to join Coxey's army in its
journey to Washington.
All night long every man, woman and
child in Oakland was on the streets, the
riot alarm was sounded, the governor
was asked to call out the national
guards, extra police and deputy sheriffs
were sworn in and armed with rifles and
preparations were made for fighting of
the bloodiest kind. because $40 unem-
ployed and desperate men refused to
leave the city. Only a rash word or an
unlucky shot was required to precipitate
conflict which would have resulted in
the extinction of this branch of the in
dUstrial army, for the men who COM
posed it were mostly unarmed and could
have made but feeble resistance to the
officers and citizens. But the word was
not uttered nor the shot fired, nor the
army overcome by force. 1t consented
to move when il seen that the fur
ther resistance to the will OF the citizens
Of Oakland was useless.
At midnight the mayor, Sheriff Nc
Killican and Chief Schaefer held con-
sultation. and it was decided to drive
the industrial army out of the city at
3 o'clock in the morning. The excitement
at the city hall was running high. Of
dcers were arming themselves with pis-
tolls, clubs, Winchester rifles, etc. Sergt.
Fletcher commenced TO organize the
men into companies, so as to be
ready at a moments notice. At 1890
O'Clock no word had been received from
Sacramento, and the militia were wait
ing orders to move and assist the police.
The mayor and council were still at the
city hail. and finally sent the chief of
police and the sheriff to make n final
request OF Superintendent Wilder for
passenger cars. Wilder refused. and
final preparations for action were COM
menced. OalIlands police force consists
OF fifty men, and they were all on duty.
At o'clock a general alarm was
sounded by the fire-bells and the citizens
FASTENED TO the city hall. There about
one thousand two hundred men We're
sworn i'm as deputy sheriffs and were
armed. The fire department also re-
sponded and were armed.
Ordered To Move On.
Then the city's forces marched TO the
tabernacle. where the army was peace
fully slumbering. They were awakened
and ordered to move out. The men re-
fused and things looked ominous Con-
sutations were held on both sides FL
nally the police arrested Leader Kelly
and several of his men and penned the
rest OF them up in corner Of the taber-
nacle They still refused TO move un-
less their leader was returned TO them
and the police held another consultation.
At last they decided to release him, and
Kelly was carried back on the shoulders
Of his men amid enthusiastic cheers. He
made "A speech TO his followers counsel
ing moderation, and asked them to COM
ply with the demands of the people of
Oakland. In the meantime arrangements
had been made with the Southern Pa
cific for eight box cars, and 1t was pro-
posed TO handle the army by force.
Acting under orders, the Industrials
agreed 10 submit peacefully, and at S:20
a. IN. formed "a line, and. escorted by 200
armed police and citizens, marched to
the Sixteenth-st. station, where they en-
tered box cars. and shortly after 4
o'clock the train pulled out for Sacra-
mento Oakland heaved another big
sigh OF relief, and went back TO bed.