The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-28
MARCH OF THE HOBOS
Gen. Coxey's Army Tramps from
Louisville to Alliance.
At the Latter Place the Soldiers" Ask
for Clothing and Shoes, but Meet
with Little Success.
PROVISIONS ALSO SCARCE
The Mysterious Chief Marshal and
His Big Shaggy Dog.
Incidents of the Days March-FOrty Re-
cruits Join the Ranks at Alliance
-COxey Goes to Chicago.

of the longest free-lunch route on record
was mapped out for the Coxey caravan
to-day. January weather was also on the
programme, but the sympathy Of people
along the line of march is making 1t posi-
bic for the men to progress without any
particular hardship. They were cheered
at Louisville this morning by sausage,
ham, dry bread and black coffee. Soap Is
still among the things invisible, and there
is no danger that anybody is going to mis-
take the army for a turnout of plutocrats.
Only the hobos are provided with soap,
and they are not particular about using 1t.
All luxuries are carefully treasured. The
health of the marchers has been remark
ably good, considering their experience
Meals that are irregular, when they were
provided at all, and sleeping on the frozen
ground with a scant covering Of straw, is
not ordinarily considered conducive TO a
mans physical well being. There is no
physician in camp, unless DR.. Kirkland, the
nervous little Pittsburg astrologer, in a big
gray overcoat, is an NJ. d.
Louis Smith, the mysterious individual,
who is the military head of the enterprise,
has cold, attended with husky voice.
HIS clear, ringing tones were less pene-
trating to-day than they have been.
CIIlllll dlllTt Is sun lIDIldCuldlSs Jul dC-
fects have been discovered in his military
leadership. He has the erect and decisive
bearing of a man accustomed to command,
but his system varies a little from Up
toms tactics. He can start and halt the
column, direct it to right face and left
wheel, but he cannot direct the execution
of more intricate movements. Not only is
he unknown, but the big, shaggy dog that
accompanies him Is without a name He
is savage in denunciation of the plutocrats
and the subsidized press, and 'reckons''
that they will all be swept away. Smith
is man of very positive temperament,
and Is intense in his hatred of those who
have money.
The experience of the army at Louisville
last night will not be forgotten by
the hobos. Herded together like penned-
up cattle, one hundred men spent the night
in a room thirty by forty feet The at
mosphere could have been cut with knife.
and death might have been caased by as
phyxiation. However, they We're all on
hand at o'clock this morning. At that
hour here and there could be seen groups
winding their way to camp ready for bugle
call. Breakfast was under preparation, and
three bushels of potatoes. some cold ham,
bread and sausage was given out. All
seemed to be satisfied. The start was made
at s1O with 143 men by actual count.
INCIDENTS OF THE MARCH.
At noon the Commonweal arrived at
Maximo the capital of Washington town
ship. Walking agreeable expert
ence, but the riders had chilly time of
It, Marshal Browne led his stallion over a
large part of the route. The territory
traversed presented deserted appearance
and not to exceed dozen people had as
sembled in the streets to see the Common
veal march by. F1ocks of chickens strut
ting around the big red barns of this sec
tion were the subject of remark. but no
man undertook TO molest them. Army
songs were rendered under the direction of
astrologer Kirtland's newly organized glee
club: On the way the army passed the
cago half breed. He is the queerest char
acter in the camp, but there is no method
In his madness, and the end sought Is free
advertising. He started from Masslon
with only a sack of oatmeal his food
supply. His plan Is to keep a few hours
ahead of the expedition, and he is looked
gan his lonely tramp from Louisville at 10
O'Clock. His fur cap, wooden coat, blanket
and moccasins served as an excellent pro-
lection against the weather. and he carried
a light AK TO be used for carving fire wood
and possibly tramps. His camp was seen
in dense brush near the road leading to
Maxine, but he had passed on to Alliance.
He had cut down lot of tree branches
for the construction Of rude cabin, and
beside ii were the embers of his camp fire
He has been attempting to relate the story
OF his life to the newspaper men since he
Joined the expedition, but has not sue
ceeded in getting them all together yet.
He now proposes to furnish them with a
typewriter narrative of his experience in
the Riel rebellion
from their houses, and not to exceed a
dozen viewed IL from the roadside. At
Maximo about fifty men had assembled,
and, owing to the small number, the plan
of holding a meeting was abandoned. The
march is conducted at the rate of about
three miles per hour. At the end of almost
every mile a halt is called to rest the men
and horses. score of men was all that
witnessed the departure from Louisville.
The army arrived in Alliance tonight
footsore and weary, and at once set out
upon begging expedition. Toes have be-
gun to peep from shoes that have yielded to
the hard service of the march and the lack
of clothes is still severely felt. Clothing
and other supplies were asked for, but lit
tie was obtained. No dinner. and only
cheese, bread, potatoes and black coffea
on the evening bill of fare has caused much
grumbling, and it may lead to open mu-
General Coxey went to Chicago tonight.
but he will be back tomorrow. He and
house this afternoon. Brownies plaus:bIp
defense Of the crusade brought applause
Camp Anna L. Diggs will be established
at Salem tomorrow. The army was ten
dered for sleeping quarters the Independ-
ent Church and a vacant store room, but
the invitation was refused. I'VE have
plenty of fresh straw" said Marshal
Browne 1t may be depended upon that no
bed Of straw received his manly frame
ID. w. Smith and w. II. Rickard have
collected more food than can be carried in
the commissaTy wagons, and the men are
wondering, in view of the scant fare at
supper what has become of it, About for
ty men We're mustered in this evening.
CoXeys departure has caused rumors that
the expedition is about TO collapse. Unless
he is ruined financially some sort of n pro-
cessiOn will certainly reach Washington.
The office of the historian was created to-
day, and IL will be filled by Henry Vincent,
the Chicago reformer.
The camp at the Alliance fair grounds is
the best located of the trip. The tents are
sheltered by a heavy wood. and there Is
plenty OF water at hand.
Browne announced publicly to-day that
when Coxey left for Chicago he had barely
money enough 10 buy his ticket He left
the Commonweal treasury with a STOCK OF
supplies, but not a cent in the treasury