The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-05-09
4 COZEY ARMY ARRESTED
BLOODSHED FOLLOWS THE
EASTWARD MOVEMENT.

They Had Setzed-Sat1onall troops
Ordered Out-A Train Impressed
at Terre Haute, Ind.-Strength OF
Various Contingents.
The flrst bloodshel resulting from the
clashes between the law AMI the Indus
fzial or Coxey army movement, which was
sweeping over the country in a wave OF
monster proportions, was witnessed at Bill
fngs, Montana. At about II o'clock a. m.
that little city was thrown into Wild excite
ment by the announcement that the
sized the train at Butte City
was rushing into the city on Northern
Pacific train from the West at high rate Of
speed. closely followed by a trainload OF
United States deputy marshals. The truth
of the statement was verified a few minutes
before noon, when the train OF box cars ran
into town.
When the train left Butte City the unem.
ployed. we're In possession OF the railroad
and cars, and the train started out at the
rate of about forty-fve miles an hour. They
were notified ofthe danger to other trains on
the road, and replied that the company
could take care Of It's property itself; II
the road was not clear, It was not theit
fault, and the company must see
that it was kept clear. The train
went along all right until Boze.
man was reached when big landslide was
the whole OF the day In removing 1t; Then
they started eastward again, but il
was not long before they came
TO another slide. which they also re.
3 moved, passing Livingston at $50 p. m.
The officials OF the Northern Pacific Road,
meanwhile, were In communication with the
United States authorities In the West and at
sent a d.sspatch to the United States Marshal
at 81. Paul, telling him to request military
assi.s.r % In enforcing the orders Of the
Court 4 he found It necessary, and at the
same time the marshal received an order
from Judge Caldwell to seize the Industrials
81 they should come into his district.
There was no legal difficulty In the way ol
Government action at this stage, as the rail-
road property is nov in the hands OF the
eeiyer, and the President may move at once
upon the representations ofthe United States
judicial officers. ..-
The Coxeyites were overtaken by the spe-
eial train Of the maeshals Just ma they en-
tered the limits of Billings. A - their ar
rival it was learned that the MI - Is train
overlook the Hogan contingent =: as they
were pulling away from Columbu' (formerly
known as Stillwater), and attempted to
the 500 unemployed who were in posses
sion of the trains. The leaders would not
Weld to the demands OF the rnarshals to give
I'D the train, and instructed their men to 50
slead, which was done. The two trains
came on during the forenoon hours, until
46ill:ngs was reached, when o stop was
ordered. the conflict between the two bodies
xesu ting.
Marshall Med ermott ordered the leaders
Of the captured train to surrender, and
when they refused to DO SO few of the
nlarshals. before receiving command to do
So, fired upon the crowd Of men on the cars.
TIE shots were quickly returned by the In
Gustrials. Anumber OF shots were exchanged
between the parties before Marshal McDer-
mott could regain control or his men. Dur
Ing the firing one OF thu deputies was
seriously wounded and one OF the men on
the rear platform car was shot In the groin.
McDermott decided that his men were not
equal to the odds against them, AMI ordered
his men to desIst firing, which they did.
The captured train soon after pulled out
from the depot, and McDermott notified the
authorities tnat his force was inadequate to
capture the 500 men who were determined
10 retain possession ofthe train.
When these facts were reported to the De-
partment of Justice at Washington, they
were brought to the attention OF the Prest-
dent, with the recommendation OF the At
turney- General that the Federalauthority be
supported by troops, that being the sole
alternative left to the Government.
In addition to the request OF the Judge OF
the United States Court, the United States
District Attorney and the United States Mar
shal for the District OF Montana for Federal
aid in arrestIng the Hogan contingent OF the
army OF the unemployed for seizins the train
st Butte. President Cleveland received the
following from the Governor Of Montana:
=, = 'E "HELENA, Montana. April 25.
ITO the President OF the United States:
tInformation reaches me By wire that a band
sof Coxeyites, fleeing the State with stolen
:. train, were overtaken at Billings by Deputy
:: Unite1 States Marshals, who were trying to
serve a writ enanating from the United
Etates Court. A fight ensued. One deputy
|, marshal was wounded and the leader Of the
.,Coxeyttes wounded, Deputy marshals were
b. overpowered and driven of with revolvers
and other weapons. The moo then sur
rounded the deputies and now hold them
prisoners. Train OF Coxeyites within a
lew hours run of Fort Keogh. Impos-
sible for State militia to overtake
thom. As Governor OF Montana I
hereby request you to have Federal
troops at Fort Keogh intercept, take into
custody, arrest and hold these Coxeyites SUBJ
5ect to the ordeas OF the United States Court
Issuing writ referred to. II CoSeyites pass
Fort Keogh beforj nrders emanate from you
for their apprehension request that Federal
troops be ordered to overtake them. Prompt
ness required.
Sc E. RIcxARTs, Governor Of Montana"
The President at once called the Genera
commanding the Army into the consultation
and General Schofleld was directed to cal
upon the Commander OF the. Department o.
Dakota to send SUN ,ient force Of troops te
arrest all persons engaged In the seizure oI
the train and to hold the train and persons
until they could be delivered to the Unite;
States Iarshal for Montana, subject 10 tn.
order OF the United States District Court.
-. The orle OF the President for the troops
was issued solely to command respect fot
,. the mandate OF the United States Court, an !
was not in any sense q National interference,
In local affairs.
Ater tho fight at Billings the marshals be-
came psnic-stricken and were surroun led by
the Tndustrials who dissrmed them an
chased them back to the train on which they
arrived, firing revolyers at them to further
intimldate them. The Coxsyires then
changed engines and continued their east
ward journey. .
Meantime Colonel Swaine, commanding
the United States Army In ths Department OF
Dakota, acting under orders received from
Ma;or-General Schoaeld. Conmander-in.
Chief OF the United States Army, orleres!
= Colonel Page, co pmander at Fort hsoSa, to
intercept the train and arrest the Industr.
ais. and, II necessary, to pursue them. The
tram bearing the unemployed left Billings
east rcnnl at T. ni., and moved towart
Miles City at the rate OF eight or ten miles an
hour. .t.'.
The garrison at Fort Keosh which is two
miles west OF Miles City consisted OF five
hundred mep. with q Gattiing battery. and