The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-28
NO AID FROM POLICE
SILVER "PUSH" ROUTED BODILY BY
THE TAGGART COHORTS.
Charles Bridges and Others Yelled for
Officers, but Flynn and His Gang
Beat Them Down.
A DOZEN DIFFERENT BRAWLS
STORMY TIME LAST NIGHT IN OLD
IRON HALL BUILDING.
Silverites, Headed by Cooper, Gold
gIish and Denounced the Mayor.

"Bilr' Flynn, Commodore" Higgins and
a score of Flynns brave fightin' "byes'
from the ''owld bloody fightin' Fifteenth
warrud," as Flynn would say in his pic
turesque way, with the aid of sundry city
employees, stormed the castle of the Demo-
cratic Silver League at the Iron Hall build
ing last night and took forcible possession.
Charles w. Bridges, Samuel N. Gold,
Thomas Nesom, Smith Myers and other
stalwarts of the original silver push" were
compelled to retire in confusion after call
ing in vain for the interference and protec-
ton of Mayor Taggarts police officers, who
refused to mix in the difficulty.
Flynn has been suspected of treachery to
the push" ever since he protested against
the resolution denouncing Captain Curtis
and demanding his resignation last week,
and there was a deep determination to eX-
clude him in the future. Since that meet
ing the push got indisputable evidence
that Flynn was at the former meeting as
envoy extraordinary and minister pleni-
potentiary of Mayor Taggart and his gold
bug machine Flynn went to a drug store
to see Doc" Wiley last week, but failed
to find him. He left word with the clerk
for Wiley to be sure and attend the meet
ing and see that he (Flynn) got in too
CARTS wish. His remarks were overheard
by friend TO the slverites and were duly
reported. When the committee learned this
it determined to keep Flynn away from the
meeting last night Suspicion was aroused
that Taggart was about to undertake some
underhand game 10 capture the meeting,
and it was decided to make the meeting an
exclusive and inVitational affair. Printed
invitations were issued to 10 men of un-
doubted loyalty letterhead headed
Headquarters Democratic Silver League"
Doorkeepers were instructed to admit no
one failing to present invitations. BY this
means it was hoped to prevent the Taggart
men from packing the meeting. But all
precaution availed nothing. By some
means a copy of the invitation fell into the
hands of the enemy and forged invitations
were placed in the hands of Flynns friends.
Commodore" Higgins was denied adnis-
sion when he presented himself at the ante
room. He begged and pleaded-almost
cried to be allowed to enter
IF you'll only let me in" he said II will
take a seat in a corner and not say a
word"
On this promise he was allowed to enter.
Everything was running smoothly, when
Flynn and his followers were heard COM
ing upstairs. Flynn and some of the "byes"
showed their Invitations They were recoS-
nized as being forgeries, and the door
keepers refused to recognize them. Cali
ing for assistance, they took firm stand.
Flynn and his Dyes formed a flying
wedge as best the narrow quarters would
permit, forced the door open and swept
into the room, with wild whoop for Tag
CART. Fly1n got into an encounter with
Charley Bridges, and tore the sleeve Of his
coat loose. There were fights in a dozen
different quarters. -Four or five young, stall
wart men bounced upon S. n. Gold. He
is lame and poorly equipped for defending
A CRY FOR POLICE.
A spirit of fair play prompted one of the
gang to shout:
"Oh, don't hit the old man. Let him
alone!" Curses and foul profanity tine
tured the air. Charley Bridges got to a
window and shouted:
Police! Police!'
BY the time two officers arrived the fight
ing had subsidized. Demands were made on
the officers to eject the unlimited intruders.
rs this Democratic meeting?" inquired
one of the blue coats. You're all Dem
ocrats together, amt your
When he was answered in the affirmative
he said, with broad grin:
Then there is no need for US to inter-
fere. Fight it out among yourselves"
a storm of protests greeted this reply.
Suppose a crowd that had not been in
NllGQ DTOh6 lItO TIE 1Idy OluD OF the
Cleveland Club, would you not do some
thing"
man.
The push" declared it was identically
the same.
I'VE rented this hall and paid our money
for 1t. No one has a right here who has
not been invited"
The officers went away. Young Seyfried,
Flynns factotum at the primaries in the
Fifteenth ward last fall, took the chair
Flynn standing as a huge bulwark in front
of him. Finding that they were to be ig-
nored and inSulted in their own castle the
indignant push" left the hall in body
Bridges, S. N Gold, Tom Nesom and Char
lie Cooper leading the way to Room 80
English's Hotel, where report was heard
from the quintet that called on Captain
Curtis to demand his resignation as city
Meantime the victorious Taggart cohorts
had whoop and a hurrah. Commodore
Higgins was made chairman of a commit
tee on resolutions They retired for about
ten minutes, returning with a resolution
indorsing Taggart's administration the
most glorious that ever was, and indorsing
him as a. candidate for denomination and
reelection. Members of the true Demo-
cratic Silver League" dropped in one by
one They We're given the glad hand and
welcomed with open arms. In a few min
uteS they saw that something was wrong
They could not imagine silver meeting
without Charlie Bridges, Gold, Nelson,
Cooper and Romus Stewart. Their wonder
turned to disgust when they heard the
Taggart sentiments being expressed and
they sadly left the hall Down stairs they
found one who informed them briefly what
had happened, and directed them to the
household of faith. They struggled to the
hotel, and it was very late before the
league got down to business.
DENUNCIATION OF TAGGART.
The first thing done was to listen to a
report from the committee of five read by
Chairman Johnson. 1t stated briefly that
the committee had a most delightful inter-
view with Captain Curtis. He blandy in
formed the committee that he was a
genuine Democrat, a believer in the ma
tional platform of last year" Questioned
as to what he intended to do in the matter
of appointing committeeman, he replied
that it was his intention to be fair and
aboveboard in every respect, and that
when the delegates assembled at the con-
Venti0n the majority should have control.
chilling silence filled the room when the
reading of the report was completed, and
no response was made when johnson
moved its adoption.
u. l.. Hudson was recognized. lie made
bitter speech declaring no reliance was to
be placed in Captain Curtis fair words
and soft promises. All his talk about be-
ing a Democrat" and in favor of the ma
was unreliable when coming from such a
source. lie declared that he was not afraid
to speak his mind.
I'm not afraid of Cap Curtis! I'm not
afraid Of Thomas Taggart!
The yell OF applause and approval that
followed this defiant declaration filled the
hotel
Mr. Hudson pointed out that the thing
for the silver men TO do was to organize
and prepare to meet all kinds OF dirty