The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-26
COXEY ON THE March.
The Army Starts on Their
Long Tramp UnfayorabIy.
ATTEMPTS MADE AT DISCIPLINE
Meet with Very Poor Results from the
Soldiers-About Onc-Third Desert In
First Eight Milcs-AIany Spent Night
I'm Police Station.

CANTON, o., March 60 I'm the face of
hsharp, cold wind that brought shivers TO
the frames Of well-clad people, Coxey's
army marched eight miles yesterday on
the road Co Washington. There were
few less than 100 of them. Not TO exceed
n dozen had overcoats or gloves.
Several hundred persons watched their
departure from Massillon. About 5000
persons essernb bled at the temporary camp
ut Reedurban, and host greeted the
crusaders at Canton.
Last night they were sleeping mt camp
Lexington, i'm the eastern part OF Canton.
A heavy snowstorm set In before the de-
tails OF the camp had been completed,
and the trampers are huddled around
roaring cnmphres. About two-thirds of
the men listed made the trip. Coxey has
buried his disappointment at the non-ap-
pearance OF the myriad he expected, and
IL exultant over the handful who reported
for business.
The Massillon camp on the Tuscarora
presented an odd sight yesterday morn
ing. No fire was permitted in the big
tent. but there was heap of blazing logs
outside. Every few moments the flaps OF
the tent were parted by a soldier OF the
commonweal. who visited the fire to
drive away the chils.
Falstaf-s Army.
The hobos in the party became known
3ust before breakfast. Some OF them
washed at the river brink and others car
ried water in pans and heated il over the
fire. They burned straw and froliced
about like a troop of boys. A bugle call
60 breakfast brought them together at
the tent with rush. The bill of fare
comprised bread, coffee and raw meat.
The latter was affixed TO the end of
pointed sticks and roasted over the fire.
One group of five ran away in a body
ifter breakfast and boarded a passing
freight train. Thirty OF the common
wealers spent the night as dodgers at the
Massillon police station. They comprised
two entire groups, who could not be found
when they were needed for picket duty.
At 8 O'clock Marshal Louis Smith,
otherwise "Tke Unknown" summoned
the men TO camp together, and they were
found TO number III groups They were
organized into commune. Smith drilled
them on the meadows for half an hour
He has added several formalities of mill
tary discipline to the rules Of the common
veal. One OF them is the plan of hav-
ing them march in files of two, and a
more surprising innovation is 1he adop-
tion Of military salutes.
Standing on Dignity.
A man who shouted Here Browne" at
the California reformer half way across
the leld was given rnking over by
Smith. Among other things he said that
the proper caper was to ask for Chief
Marshal Carl Browne and salute when
his attention was secured.
The dpGr,iCnH military avQtap, IL bainey
introduced, even though companies are
called communes and regiments commnn-
ities. The IL groups consolidated are
called the Chicago commune. Two hours
before the time for departure the tents
were pulled down and preparations made
for the trip.
Outsiders were directed to leave the
field and await the commonweal on the
main streets Of the town. Camp wagons
and saddle horses were brought in from
CoXiana, and the soldiers had n busy time
of it. A diversion was caused by bulleti in
from Coxiana. announcing that steamer
had just passed that point laden with re-
cruits from Canton. The steamer made
the trip of nine miles in . l-2 hours, but
only few men from Canton were ell
rolled.
a Gang From Texas
SAN ANTONIO, March 26.--Tne Southern
Pacific railroad officials have received
word that the United States industrial
army of several hundred men were put
Off the trains at siding near Finley sta
ton on the Ell Paso division, and that
trains were run through without stop
ping. The so-called army broke the lock
ON the switch and threw it open, causing
the next east bound train TO take the
siding.
The men climbed upon the cars and
Conductor Martin pulled them to Finley.
where he tied up the train, pending the
arrival of orders from General Van
Week. The order came for him to keep
the train tied up. Several trains have
arrived at Finley since, and all are tied
up. as the army shows no disposition TO
let any of the trains depart without them.
Finley is an isolated station. and the
army will starve out il they remain here
few days