The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-01
LAST EDITION
COXEY ARRESTED
Mounted Police Charged the
Crowd at Capitol Steps
After a Parade He Insisted on DeIiv-
ering SpeeCh--Made His Escape.

WASHINGTON, May 1.-The common
veal army was astir early this morning
upon Brightwood Heights with prepara-
tions for the great procession to the Cap
itol.
There was an early breakfast of eggs,
coffee and bread, tents we're struck and
packed into wagons and the whole army
was aligned before 8 o'clock. All
the men carried slaves ON which
futtered white flags, with the motto,
t'peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men,
but Death to Interest on Bonds"
There was much marching and counter
marching on the grounds, prancing OF
stations and hauling of the commissary
wagons into line.
The men had passed cold night, most
OF them sleeping on the ground.
Before the start Carl Browne formed the
men into a hollow square and put them
through most remarkable drill. The
slaves were handled like guns, and when
Browne shouted, "Glory and Peace" they
cheered three times shrilly and waved
their sticks in the air. The evolutions
were performed by the main body of the
army.
The philadelphia Commune, sixty men
strong, with long rope attached to their
commissary wagon, stood at one side
waiting to fall in. Oklahoma Sam
galloped up and down the line
on his stallion. The bass drum doomed
II
scream. After marching twice around the
grounds the men were again drawn up
in line and more cheers and drilling fol-
lowed.
Browne told the men that they had re-
ceived permission to march to the Capitol
grounds, where they must disband and
enter as individual citizens.
"Whether or not we will be permitted
to speak ! cannot say" he added, "but
you must be careful TO preserve the peace.
Then we will reform and march TO our
new camp, near by, which has been
provided. This demonstration will be
more powerful than force, guns or
bombs"
The ragged army cheered wildly at this.
Meanwhile, down in the city, the streets
wore their ordinary appearance and there
was nothing to indicate that the city OF
professions was eager To view the
qneerest parade that had ever
avenue. A little curious interest was mani
fest in the parade, but that was all.
At 10:15 o'clock the army was ready,
and it started for town.
AS the caravan wound its way down
through the mile stretch of woods to the
city, IL was the most fantastic array ever
seen by Washingtonians.
Nine mounted policemen rode on ahead
clearing the way. Then came Carl Browne
on his big gray Percberon stallion, waving
q small flag.
Next was a creamy white prancing
circus stced bearing the feature of the
whole parade, Miss Mamie Coxey, in the
role of the Goddess of Peace. She
is slender, really handsome girl of
IL years, with long golden hair, which
glistened in the May sunshine and fell,
drifting down her back in lnxuriant
waves. She wore pure white riding
habit, W hich streamed after her as the horse
on which she sat pranced TO the music
OF the band. Her head was covered by a
little brimless blue cap. She shaded her
face with tiny parasol.
The graceful girl and her mettlesome
steed made picture of such unusual
beauty that a spontaneous cheer greeted
her unexpected appearance all along the
line.
The Goddess Of Peace was followed by
Oklahoma Sam, the cowboy, on another
big stallion. Then came Roy Kirk and
three other marshals.
Thatcher, the bugler, rode next, sound
ing frequent blasts from his cornet and
followed by big Tapping American flag
carried by a stalwart "'N eaier."
Next the commonweal army band OF six
pieces, mostly bass drum and cymbals,