The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-04-27
The First Blood.

The following is the associated
press sensational dispatch from the
"seat of war" in the West, pub
lished in Thursday mornings
papers:
BILLINGS, MONT, April 25.-
Blood was spilled in this city today
in sharp conflict between "a
United States Marshals and $50
desperate Coxey miners who had
stolen a Northern Pacific train and
were speeding east to join the other
Commonweal bands. Three men
were wounded in the fight, one Bill
lings citizen fatally. The over
matched officers were nearly mob
bed by the lawless band, disarmed
and their rifles broken, and then
driven back ignominionsly to their
| train.
About IL O'Clock this morning
Billings was thrown into wild ex-
citement by the announcement that
the train stealing contingent of the
Coxey army was rushing into the
city on a Northern Pacific train
from the West, closely followed by
a train load of "a United States
Deputy Marshals. An hour later
the train of box cars bearing the
COxeyites ran into town.
The Marshals' train had over
taken the lawless Commonwealers
just as they were pulling out OF
Columbus formerly known as Still
water). They tried to arrest the
progress of the stolen train, but the
leaders of the unemployed would
not yield to the demands of the
Mashals, and instructed their men
to GO ahead. The two trains ran
along all the forenoon until Billings
was reached, when a stop was or
dered, although it was known that
a conflict must result.
OFFICERS BEGAN THE SHOOTING.
The two forces came together on
the outskirts of the city. AS near
as can be learned Marshall McDer-
mott ordered the leaders of the
captured train to surrender, and
when they refused to do so, a few
of the marshals, before receiving
the command to do, fired upon the
crowd of men on the cars.
The spots were quickly returned
by the Industrials. A number OF
shots were exchanged between the
parties before Marshal McDermott
could regain control of his men.
Duaing the firing one deputy was
seriously wounded and one of the
Coxeyites on the rear platform cal
was shot in the groin. A citizen OF
Billings was also fatally shot.
The Marshals' rifles were taken
from them by the Infatuated Coxey-
ties, and broken. The officers were
panic stricken and were chased
back to the train ON which they
arrived, the mob firing revolver
shots to further intimidate them
The mob then proceeded to change
engines and continued their east.
ward journey.
Further report says:
president Cleveland has called
out the Federal troops of the North
west. Last night at Fort Keogh,
$50 mills east of Billings, regiment
of regulars, 500 strong, were wait
ing under arms at a barricade for
the oncoming train of desperate
Coxeyites. Everything was ready
for battle to the death. Troop in
forts further east are also preparing
for a fight, and the Minnesota
militia have been called out. The
movement will be stopped at all
hazards. At midnigh ia dispatch
from Minneapolis, Mimi, said that
tfie troops had left Fort Keogh to
to meet the Industrials near
Rosebud"
In the meantime renewed energy
appears among the people and new
bands are forming. 1t looks like
there was big trouble right ahead.
When American blood is up it is
easily frightened. The Federal
troops may be met with rifles and
cannon. No one can tell what will
happen.