Today, the Indian Princess Gold One-Dollar Coin remembers when Oakland banished the unemployed men, known as part of the Industrial Army, from their city on April 6, 1894.
Started by Coxey in Ohio, unemployed men across the country began to join the Industrial Army. This group planned to march to Washington to demand employment to work on roads and other infrastructure.
With the farthest to travel, the unemployed men of California searched for ways to get from one side of the country to the other.
They met with difficulties in Oakland.
The Los Angeles Tribune of April 7, 1894 provided details of their banishment from Oakland and their more pleasant reception in Sacramento.
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Given a Rude Send-Off.
Troubles of the Industrial Army at Oakland.
Much Indignation Over Their Expulsion.
A Cordial Reception Given the Army at Sacramento.
Their Numbers Swelled to 1000—A Train of 20 Box Cars Chartered to Carry Them Over the Mountains.
By the Associated Press. San Francisco, April 6 —
The excitement in Oakland over the eviction of the Industrial army has not yet died out. The army has many sympathizers among the laboring classes and today a mass meeting was held at which speeches denouncing the officials of Oakland for their actions were made.
The police were present at the meeting and kept the speakers in check. Another meeting has been called for tomorrow night.
How They Were Bounced.
Oakland, April 6.—About 4 o’clock this morning eight box cars were drawn out of Oakland destined for Sacramento.
In three cars were huddled 600 ot tbe Industrial army which, for the past two days, had caused the good people of Oakland co much uneasiness.
It was decided by Mayor Pardee that this army must move.
About 3 o’clock this morning a force of police and firemen, armed with ax-handles, and armed citizens, proceeded to the tabernacle where the army were sleeping.
Some riotous proceedings ensued and for a time things looked ominous. Finally, however, the Industrials consented to move peacefully.
At 3:20 they formed in line, and, escorted by 200 armed police, marched to the Sixteenth Street station, where they filled the box cars and shortly after 4 the train pulled out.
Oakland heaved a big sigh of relief and went back to bed.
At the State Capital.
Sacramento, April 6.—
The Northern California regiment of the Industrial army, to the number of 800, arrived in Sacramento earlier today. Many of the trial soldiers were huddled together in freight cars like sheep. Some of them found a resting place on the tops of cars, and as the train entered the Capital city they raised their flags and cheered.
A company of 200 men organized in Sacramento have cast their fortunes with the new comers.
Arrangements had been previously made for the army in Agricultural park. The city authorities had prepared for them a substantial dinner, consisting of soup, beef, bread and coffee.
Colonel Baker, one of the field officers, speaking for the army, was very indignant over the treatment which they had received at the hands of the Oakland authorities.
He said that his men acted in a very peaceful manner while in that city, yet the officials had threatened to shoot them, and had met and conspired together in the night time to call out troops with rifles and Gatling guns to drive them away.
He declared that these officials were nothing more than cheap hirelings who would do any dirty trick for four bits.
“We are upon a peaceful mission,” said he, “and it is brutal, inhuman, that these poor, unprotected hungry men should be treated like a lot of beasts.”
The Sacramento authorities will provide for the army while it remains here.
Arrangements have not yet been completed for transportation over the mountains. A promise has been made that the Southern Pacific will carry the men to Ogden at greatly reduced rates, providing the Union Pacific will carry them out of Ogden.
Mayor Steinman made arrangements to ship the army on its way east.
There are now 1000 of them, all well behaved. Several laborers on the J street improvement left work this afternoon and joined the army.
At 5 o’clock the army boarded a special train of 20 freight cars and the journey was soon resumed.
The army had come in on seven cars, many of the soldiers being compelled to ride on top of the cars.
As the weather is still very cold in the mountains, and as no one can ride on top of the cars through the snow-sheds, better accommodations had to be provided.
All of the cars were well filled with straw procured from the stables at Agricultural park.
Major Houbert of the army had several interviews with Governor Markham asking him to intercede with the railroad authorities, and if possible procure free transportation.
Governor Markham told the major he could not do it, as the constitution of the state explicitly provides that the chief executive cannot have any dealings with railroad corporations.
Before leaving Sacramento the soldiers were given large quantities of food to carry on the train.
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The Indian Princess Gold One-Dollar Coin shows with an image of a few of the Industrial Army of 1894.
