The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-05-02
EXCITING TIMES IN IOWA.
KeIIey's Men March Many BiIes With
out FoOd-Sympnthy for Them.

out FOOd-Sympathy for Them.
DIES MONIES. Ia. April 29.-Des
Moines is in a state Of intense excite
ment tonight over the arrival of Kelley's
industrial army. The men marched
twenty-seven miles last night without
food and were held by the police five
miles out of the city in a driving rain
storm all day with no provisions or
shelter. The action of the authorities
aroused much indignation among the
labOring people and when, at o'clock
this evening, the army finally marched
up Grand-ave. to the camp on the east
side OF the town, wet, haggard and
weary, their pitiable condition aroused
sympathy almost as great as that which
was theirs in Council Bluffs. A mass
meeting Of laboring men has been called
for tomorrow committees are at work
soliciting food and money, and threats
are made that unless transportation is
secured TO Chicago radical steps will be
taken. During the last twenty-four
hours the army has undergone greater
hardships than at any time since it left
Utah, but Notwithstanding the severe
test, not twenty-five men were missing
when Des Moines was reached.
The start from Van Meter was made
last night in a heavy storm and when
day dawned the column was still fifteen
miles from it's destination. The COM
missary wagons were empty and the
men, wet and hungry, but they plodded
on, the advance guard reaching Walnut
Creek, five miles west of Des Moines,
before noon. The men struggled in dur
ing the afternoon and by o'clock 1000
men had gathered. Mayor Hills sent
thirty policemen and Sheriff McGarraugh
as many deputies to meet the army and
inform them that they would have to
pass on through Des Moines to a de-
serted stove factory, where ample food
and shelter were provided. This Kelley
fatty refused to DO, saying that his men
must be fed before they marched the
additional miles. The officers were OBJ
durate and the one thousand hungry
men stood shivering in the rain until
4:30 o'clock, hoping for provisions. Gen.
Weaver sent out forty loaveS of bread
and that served as breakfast and dinner,
Mayor Hills saying that if the men
would not go to where the food was they
should have none. At last Kelley con-
sented to move and the march began.
Dozens Of carriage lined the route into
town and with the sheriff. chief of police,
mayor and guard of officers and
deputies the industials moved up the
city's principal streets, feebly singing
their army songs. The streets were lined
with spectators and as the weary men
marched by, weak and hungry, women
wept and sympathiZers grew violent in
denouncing the authorities. The stove
factory, one and half miles east Of the
capital, furnished shelter for all the
men and their spirits soon revived, when
a wholesome supper, furnished by the
city, was given them. Many struggled
in during the evening and 1,250 slept in
the camp.
All day long the city authorities were
in a turmoil Of excitement. Professions
to greet the army were forbidden and
brass bands were put under the ban.
All this incensed the laboring men and
excited sympathy for the industrials, and
tonight the authorities are much eXer-
cised over the unexpectedly rapid de-
velOpments of sentiment favorable TO
Kelley.
The mayor announced that the city
would furnish but one days provisions
and then request the army to move on.
The trades and labor assemblies called
a meeting, denounced the authorities and
appointed committees to secure food and
raise money for transportation. The i'm
preston was general that the Chicago &
Great Western road would furnish a
stock train to Chicago if paid for it.
Division Superintendent Egan said to-
night that he had no orders to carry
the men for less than full fare, but that
he did not know what orders might be
issued by his superiors. Dunlay of the
Rock Island reasserted tonight that the
army could not ride on his road for less
that full fare. Kelley was weary but
determined when he reached the camp
and seemed in nowise discouraged.