The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-22
THE REVOLT OFF THE MULES.
The Hee-Haws Went Out for Good
Time and Got 1t.
st. Louis Globe-Democrat.

ST. Louis Globe-Democrat
The public generally is aware that for
some time past Uncle Sam has been scout
ing far and wide for a large number Of
those unique but most valuable QuadrupedS
termed in common parlance the mule
These animals have been collected from
far and wide, and since the other soldiers
have been detailed South the donkeyS have
been quartered at Jefferson barracks. "And
thereby hangs a tale
The mule is a very sociable animal among
members of his own family. So shortly aft
er being ensconced in their new location the
l,2O0 or l,50O donkeys now on duty formed
an ironclad resolution to befriend each other
and to allow no opportunity to pass that
promised fun or deViltry.
Thursday night a small demonstration
was made, but the expedition was not thor
oughly organized and the squall was soon
Gained. Friday night last, however, the
members of this slippery band were not to
be baked. A monster project was planned,
and headed by big Bill some hundred of
these willy animals, reared on the wild
and rolling prairies made a break for
freedom and fun Over the high board
fence went Bill; His comrades followed
thick and fast. In the twinkling of an eye
the barracks boundaries were cleared and
the fun was on.
The mule like all other employees of Uncle
sam, must pass rigid examination There
fore, every jackass among them was per-
force hale and hearty, sound of tooth, clear
of eye, keen of hearing and especially linn
Der of limb and foot But mule-like. even
the army donkey has an occasional aberra-
ton of the mental faculties that produces
CdpeTS ana cOnIOrIlOnS tnat other animals
fear to tackle. The primal cause of Friday
nights furore is hard to determine. 1t could
not be due to intoxication, it probably was
not overweight patriotism but ascribe it
to genuine muliSh eccentricity and YOU have
possible solution.
The route was well planned and the or
ganlzatlon was complete. Straight up
broadway went the stalwart band, neither
halted nor stopped they until they reached
me- dne beautiful lawns and lanes of Caron-
delet Here all their pent-up mulishness
was turned loose, and with war cry that
sent terror to the peaceful inhabitants
the bomhardment commenced night of
terror ensued. The usual pursuits Of life,
liberty and happiness were suspended
races OF safety were at a premium. Court
bHo oin4y at every corner as sentinel The
Delated pedestrian retreated in albright
Mules to the right of him. mules to the left
or MIN, mules before him frolicked and cap
cred. No lawn was too private to prevent
their investigation. No flower bed was too
sacred for their ruthless footsteps Caron-
delet was the center of attack, and here
the battle ragged for hours. The donkeys are
well Ted by Uncle Sam, but they are truly
eplcurean in their tastes, and found hand
some repast upon the neatly moved lawns
and beautiful flower plots that abounded in
their 1s neWly-acquired possessions:
Inc police were nOnpluSed. The sudden
invasion or this unruly specimen of brute
dom was such a diversion from their usual
routine tasks of capturing bipeds that they
were unable Immediately to converge their
distorted faculties upon the capture of the
invaders. While flower gardens cherished
RAPIDLY
devastated the worthy servants of the law
were anx1ously formulating a mode Of at
TACK. At last a lucky inspiration struck
Ofhcer Mountjoy, of the Wyoming-street
station. Mr.. Mountjoy was born and reared
a muleteer and his experience taught him
that a lasso would be the most effective
weapon against this herd, whose closely
cropped names, smoothly clipped tails and
innate sickness made them almost irwin
A lasso was hastily improvised and Mr..
Mountjoy. volunteered to stop the lcentious
career or the first long-eared quadruped
tnat hove in sight.
Soon lusty jackass appeared, and battle
| royal ragged for the space of ten minutes
between animated heels and the sturdy Off
Ger Win MS nooSed rope. Mr.. Mule was de-
Ieated and the grand assault began. Mount
! ed upon his prize. the officer soon gained
other trophies. Officers Mccormick Lucey
ana otnerS joined the mounted brigade, and
| the general roundup began, resulting in
placing some seventy-five of the conquered
| explorers behind lock and key. After every
| available capture was made a census was
taken. and 1T was found that Soulard-street
ssost t had four, Wyoming-street station
! torty-eight and Carondelet station twenty
Ihelr Imprisoned muleships when inter
| viewed by a Globe-Democrat representa-
i've, appeared to be taking their defeat
! very nonchalantly Prison fare seemed to
agree with them. The usual inqusitive slant
! or the aurIcle appurtenaces was none the
less in evidence, the cunning in their eyes
| was not in the least dimmed Perhaps thew
realized that they were in the employ of a
powerful master. and could depend upon
| MN to secure their release on bail. This
| at least, was hastily accomplished, and the
| cases will probably be nolle pressed The
damaged property will be repaired
| The flowers will grow again, the trees will
regain their pristine verdure, the grass will
again soon need the mower but it will be
many long day ere the frightened inhab-
| ltantS of Carondelet can recuperate the
| nerves so grievously shattered by the ruth
| less invasion of Uncle Sans horde of dom
| keys
| The delinquents have nearly all returned
| TO their respective duties as attaches to the
| military organization and appear to have
more peaceful intentions for the future
Nevertheless, two guards keep continual
guard over each corral and eye the inclosed
occupants with more vigilance than any
guard ever kept the death watch over the
most dastardly criminal