The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1900-05-31
GEN. JACOB s. COXEY.
FAMOUS LEADER OF THE COM
MONWEAL.
Is Now a Quarry Operator and Is Rap
idly Pning Up Fortune - Food
for Every Tramp but He Must
Work for 1t.

fame. FROM the DAY tnat he was Of-
dered off the grass at the national
capital he became a new man. He
turned his attention from politics to
finance, and is now making money at
the rate of four figures a day. He is
operating a stone quarry five miles
from Massillon, Ohio, which is as prof
liable as a small gold mine. Setting
up as a large employer of unskllled Ia
Dor, Gen. Coxey has had a chance to
demonstrate the practicability of his
commonweal theories. His son, jesse
Coxey, stalwart young fellow, has
also figured extensively in the solution
of the great hobo problem"
1t is the policy of CoXey not to turn
away any man who wants work. There
is steady run of men who come and
go from the quarry property. At pres
ent there are fifty employees at the
plant, and among these are only two
of the "hoboes" of the original COM
monweal army, but there are plenty
Of recruits from the ends OF the earth
The story Of CoXey's quarry has been
circulated among tramps all over the
country. They are sure Of welcome,
a days rations, and chance to leave
when work becomes too onerous. DE
ole mans easy, but keep yer eyes
peeled fer Jesse" is the word lately
passed around. Some time ago three
stout tramps arrived on Saturday
evening late and applied for work.
They were so hungry, they said, they
didn't know where to stay all night
You know me; my names CoXey,
Gen. Coxey of the commonweal army
said the old man, heartily. Make
yourselves at home, eat all you want,
and do a days work Monday"
So On Saturday night and all day
Sunday the tramps Toasted and rested
from their roadside wanderings. Mon
day morning, after phenomenal
breakfast, they took the highway
promptly in a direction opposite to the
generals quarry. This was the last
straw. The thing had happened so
often that young Jesse Coxey took
matters in his own hands, common
veal or no commonWeal. He struck
the trail, and, single-handed, started
in pursuit. Four miles away he came
upon the three commonwealers resting
on the ties Of railroad track.
Walk" said Jesse Coxey, briefly, as
he leveled a gun on the trio. He
marched them back to the quarry and
compelled them to do days work for
their Sunday lodgings, when they
were allowed to depart in peace.
Coxey claims a part in making the
good armor of American ships. He
says he furnishes sand for the big ar
mor-plate plants of the land, and adds
that his has been found to be the best.
So the general" has taken credit unto
himself for recent American naval vic
tories, and announces in flaming col
ors on posters pasted on the cars that
American naval supremacy is due to
Coxey's good sand. The general has
found there are dollars in the sand,
and he is not anything if he is not a
good advertiser of his wares. His COM
monweal fame attracts the public to
him wherever he goes. He does 10 es-
pecially court conversation on the
neither does he shrink when the mat
Ter is brought before him. At pres
ent he evidently does not care to risk
any more army trips, even for the sake
of the principles which he has long ad-
vocated. He is too busy. His wealth
is piiing up in conical form like a little
pile of sand from his crushers. Besides
ha fksal mil IN
souri, and is preparing to put up q
steel plant soon.
But Coxey has with him relics OF his
political canvass. On the switch near
his profitable quarry stand four
coaches. The one, a Pullman palace
car, is used by Jesse CoXey, wife, and
little daughter, as a dwelling place. A
second car is used as kitchen and
store-room for workmen at the quarry
The dining room is in third car, the
one used by Coxey in his political tour
over the United States. The sides Of
the car are decorated with attractive
printing, telling of the principles adj
vocated by Coxey on non-interest-
bearing bonds, good roads and other
questions. But the interior of the car
has been changed.
a long table Of plain boards in in
the center of the coach. This IS TO
seat the hungry men as they come to
their meals Tin cups and plates are
always spread ready for meal time.
There is little style when the hoboes
and other workmen eat, but they seem
withal to be happy set and fairly
we'll contented with their lot. This
non-interesting-b bearing car is also
used as a sleeper. Every man has his
bunk. There are lower and upper
berths, plain, but warm, and, no doubt,
comfortable to the man who has
swung a big sledge for 8 hours in
crushing stone. The clothing on these
beds is of plain grade but the beds are
kept IN clearly condition, and the men
express themselves satisfied with their
sleeping quarters. Coxey's home, at
present is near the quarry He has
a combination frame and log dwelling