Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1894-07-26
UNUSUAL
Incidents of q Six Weeks Trip From Mon
tana to the Eastern Seaboard.

try could a traveller pass through so
many varied scenes of disorder as
within the six weeks during which the
writer iourneyed throughout the east.
Leaving the quiet, far-off village Of
1.ewistown, with its sparse population
but withal n satisfied aspect, and to
plunge in n few days into the great
western metropolis, the city OF Chi
cago, where all is crowded to suffoca-
ton and the thoroughfares are
thronged with an excited populace, is
indeed a change.
While travelling eastward over the
Northern Pacific we encountered Ho-
ean's division OF Coxey's common
wealers, compelling the train to carry
deputy marshais and a%ffording petty
exciting Incidents at many stations.
But Coxeyism was shortly to be sup
planted in the public mind by a far
greater evil. Coxeyism was a craze,
Debism was rebellion.
While at Chicago the writer IA the
American derby won by Lucky Bald
wins Rey Ell Santa Anita, the Mon
tana horse, Senator Grady, coming
under the wire a good second. The
strike vas merely being contemplated
and few if any realized the immensely
of the tie-up when | passed from the
confusion OF a great city and for a few
days sought recreation in a most
beautiful section of an eastern state
away from excitement and where a
newspaper scarcely penetrated.
From thence my inclinations led me
to the greatest sight on the worlds
surface, that which is indeed worthy
OF being termed natures master
piece"-Niagara Falls. To those who
have stood transtixed by its
immensely and its grandeur let me
say, and | believe the majority will
agree, that one might mead Of Niagara
hall the days OF their life and still
have no conception OF the majesty OF
he scene until he stanls at the point
Of the American falls or on Goat
island and sees that tremendous body
of water lash itself to foam and plunge
headlong over the precipice. Let no
man hope to see a finer display OF
Gods handiwork than he a witness
on that spot.
The strike was now fairly on as !
turned my face westward and leaving
Buffalo sped on toward Cleveland.
Here the strikers did all possible to
detain us and partially succeeded. but
it was not until we reached Fort
Wayne that the Instructors had us
in their grasp. We waited all day in
that train but not a wheel turned.
The mob surged around us and in
petty ways made our stay as I'M
pleasant as possible. The officials
finally transferred us to another road
and again we rolled toward the center
of all trouble-Chicago. At Valparaiso,
Ind, we were again detained, this
time by wrecks on the track, and
obliged to remain over night finally
entering Chicago amid q shower OF
rocks, jeers and a few scattering bull
lets.
On every side were regulars, state
militia and policemen, the mobs show
ing no respect at all for the latter.
For two days | remained there in a
heat of riots and fires witnessing Debs'
supporters, backed by Altgeld's anar-
chists, carry on their fearful work.
One would indeed think the country
was plunged in a merciless civil war.
Cannons and Calling guns awed you
at entrances to public buildings and
the stoical sentries trod their beaten
track.
But when the strong arm of the
government was firmly placed against
the rioters order came slowly out of
chaos and soon trains moved once
more, though it had been terrible
while it lasted.
The writer returned via the Great
Northern enjoying a most pleasant
Journey west ward for which in u great
measure he has to thank Mr.. Malcolm
F.. Nichols. advertising manager of the
road, a gentleman OF whom the road
may well feel proud. The Great
Northern is now running handsome
observation airs, equipped with finely
upholstered chars, IL library, the
latest periodicals. bar, bathrooms
- lo, M. t..., aa...al, ,..
universally courteous and one may
travel with all possiblecomfort. They
run their own sleepers, so that any |
who may nave scruples against pat
ronizinc Pullman may go via the
Great Northern.
From Benton TO l.ewistown Mr..
Johnston's stage line is really enjoy
able compared with travel heretofore
by coach and will no doubt go far
toward carrying patronage to Fort
Benton. The Great Northern may
well aid the line in securing traffic and
express.
Home at last, and although every
moment of the trip had brought forth
new pleasures and l had passed
through Coxey's gallant followers,
viewed the magnificence of Niagara
and the beauties OF the eastern states
and cities, and been detained, incon-
venienced and amused by Debs' wild
plans, | was glad to return to our
own quiet but beautiful scenery and
life. II. X. w.
STATE OF Ono, CRY OF ToLEDo,
LUCAS COUNTY. %