University of Virginia Library

Workmen Arrested

American Nonconformist, April 12, 1894

Washington is all agog over the coming of Coxey's army.[1] Everybody seems to be afraid although they don't say so. Last night 41 forlorn, worn-out, half-starved workmen entered the city and were met in the suburbs by 41 picked men of the police force well armed, and were called on to surrender. The poor fellows not having had the slightest idea of any hostile demonstration, as was proved by their having no weapon of any description, must have been surprised, to say the least, at their reception. The captain of the pitiful little company, when he saw who had come against them, raised a white rag on a stick and they gave themselves quietly up. They said all they wanted was work and didn't care what was done to them, they had done all they could for themselves. They had started from Texas with a company of 84 and the others had dropped out in the different cities on the way as they found work. The men, although dusty and travel stained, wore decent workmen's clothes. It was easily seen that the men were famished, but they waited to be asked if they were hungry, instead of demanding food to the surprise of those in authority. There is one consolation in the fact that although they were all locked up in jail, they will be well fed. But just think of it! What a thing to be glad for, that decent respectable working men are locked up in jail when they have committed no crime whatever. A little of the apprehension which is being felt in the city was shown when one of the men was noticed to be carrying a bundle. These policemen were scared but when it was taken from the man it was found to be only a loaf of bread. A grim sort of joke, that.

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