The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-05-24
kelley's lndsutriaIs.

Kelley's indsutriaIs.
A reporter for the FARMERS UNION
went Oh the excursion train, Sunday,
70 see Kelley's army, encamped at the
time at the mouth of the DesMoines
river, to personally find out whether
they were really such bad 10: as rep
resented by the kid glove fraternity
and other matters that might come
under our observation. The train
reached the camp of the army on
schedule time and strange sight
presented itself That whole country
seemed alive not only with ''wealers,
but the citizens from Keokuk, Alex
ander, and surrounding country had
turned out to see the sight. The army
had come dow n he DesMoines in rudley
constructed fiat boats, and arrived
at the Mississippi the day before.
When we arrived these boats were
being fastened together and ere to be
lowed down the father of waters to
Carlo, thence up the Ohio river to the
head of navigation. with steam boats.
We interviewed number of the army,
including Col. Speed, and found them.
generally, to be quiet, gentlemanly
fellows. That day rations were issued
to over l,lOO men, and in crowd OF
that number it is quite likely that q
few scallow-wags would creap in. We
Only seen one that looked like tramp.
The crowd will average with like
number of mechanics and labOrers, Tor
from any OF the various classes, for that
matter) taken from any town or county.
It is true they were rot dressed up 81
as to be presentable at swell reception,
but the vast majority were undoubtedl,
honest, true American citizens. This
was the verdict Of every visitor VT
talked to with one exception. That
exception :was high toned, kid glove.
black livered whisky seller from Gen.
terville, Iowa, and the common
wealers and all citizens would have
been please to hear him denounct
these laborers a. bad men, etc. Com
ing from that source it was an honor Il
the army. Should any of our readers
hear any high toned gentry or ignorent
person denounce the Kelly army AS
bling composed OF tramps, outlaws.
Migrants, cts. terms quite often used)
We ask them to tell their informers
that they utter falsehood, and direct
the Icing persons to us with the
grievances.
Another matter that should be aired
in refeaence to this army: That of the
Eldon episode. Will say here that the
information we wish to give come from
Col. Speed and persons not friendly tc
the movement, but all sources tailed
to a dot: When the army arrived a,
EldOn the Rock Island railroad com
pany q large number of deputy sheriff>
sworn in to ''protect" property
These deputies went too far with thei,
authority and meele ensued, which
injured some Of the wealers PERSONAL.
and one of the deputies to that extent
that it was thought he would die. The
injured deputy was q Rock Island con-
ductor, and after the trouble was over.
undoubtedly to throw the odium from
their shoulders, the railroad com.
pany discharged the conductor. The
company claimed the deputies had
acted without their orders, but it az.
pears to be plain case against the
company and all honorable people
should make it point to not patronize
that organization in any way. The
citizens of Eldon had been prejudiced
against the army, but the treatment
they received made them denounce the
company in unmeasured terms. 1t is
probable that If the injured deputy
survives his injuries and finds him sell
without q job he will know more than
he did when the industrial army ''iu.
vade6" Eldon.
The Populists of Lewis county me,
at Monticello last Saturday. The secre
tairy, ]. w. Peter, inforu.s US that .
complete county ticket was nominated
and = good crowd in attendance. Dele
gates were selected to attend the con
gressiOnal convention. Hon. John NJ