Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-03-31
ON TO WASHINGTON.

Tho Army Of the CommOuweai Taken u
Its March-The Movement u COI0ssa
FIzzle-A Ridicuiously Small Band N
Tramps with Thousands Of Amused
Spectators-Coxey Ruined Man Unies
Hc Deserts His Army.
CANTON, o.. March 26.-Coxey's army
OF the Commonweal moved out of Mas
sillon yesterday on schedule time
There were perhaps seventy.five strag.
glers in line at the start and twenty.
five less when Canton. eight miles
away, was reached. Carl Browne.
chief marshal, headed the procession
He was mounted on white horse and
was followed by half dozen aides,
all mounted on horses belonging to
Coxey. who rode in carriage drawn
by pair of spirited steeds.
The procession consisted of the mar
shals, Coxey, his wife and sister, a
bugler, four covered wagons e6ntafns
ing camping outfits, baled straw and
several quarters of beef; brass band
that played all kinds of music at once,
and the soldiers of the commonweal on
foot. They marched single fle and
two abreast as pleased their fancy.
With very few exceptions they were a
hardlooking lot of citizens. This,
they claimed, was not their fault, but
the fault Of our system Of govern"
ment.
The weather was pleasant when the
start was made, but the procession
was soon overtaken by severe snow
storm. This had depressing tend.
ency and a number Of desertions were
reported before Red Urban, the first
stop, was reached. After brief stay
at Red Urban the army resumed its
onward march and reached Canton
shortly after 4 o'clock where Camp
Lexington was pitched.
On the march from Massillon to Can
ton the Commonweal army was fol-
lowed by mob of nearly 1000 people
in carriages, on horseback and afoot.
They made the welkin ring with their
cheers and kept Coxey constantly bow
ing and lifting his hat. On reaching
Canton the army was greeted by fully
10000 people who were crowded ON
sidewalks and in windows and bal
comics along Tuscarawas street
Everyone regarded the affair as huge
joke and good humor prevailed on all
sides.
Camp Lexington was pitched on a
vacant lot near the workhouse, shortly
after 4 o'clock, and the tramps consti-
~ Of hn aaI
at once began building bonfres, scat
tering straw upon the ground and
making other preparations to keep
comfortable during the night
The army had to start on It's march
without the Goddess of Peace, as no
maiden could be found to assume that
role. Instead of the goddess, burly
negro has been enlisted to carry the
banner, thus giving the African race
representation in the movement.
One group Of five soldiers deserted in
a body before Canton was reached.
Their marshal thought the celestial
powers were not exercising proper dis
cretion in sending snowstorm upon
the advancing hosts, and advised his
men to break for passing freight
train. They broke, and have not been
heard from since. 1t was feared by
some of Coxey's lieutenants that there
would be more desertions before morn
ing unless the weather moderated,
Coxey's life insurance policy has
been revoked. the officials of the COM
pany fearing lie may meet with IA vio-
lent end before finishing the present
enterprise.
Coyey is enthusiastic and claims the
movement thus far exceeds his most
/ sanguine expectations; but this is
hardly in keeping with his former dec
larations. Canton and Massillon were
both crowded yesterday with people
who had come in from surrounding
; towns and cities to witness the sight