Historian Gary Freese to speak at LCG&HS meeting tonight

 

[August 19, 2019] 

LINCOLN 

Historian Gary Freese will present the program "Coxey's Army," at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Logan County Genealogical & Historical Society, 114 N. Chicago Street, Lincoln.

Coxey's Army was a protest in 1894 which involved a foot march from Massilon, Ohio to Washington, D. C.

Freese will explain how the phrase, "Enough Food to Feed Coxey's Army, " developed. The Army started with seventy-one year old James Jacob Coxey and mushroomed from there.

Coxey's Army eventually resulted in important changes in our government. Many other protests followed. By April 1894, most of the protests had ended.

Freese will also tell listeners about the Golden Age of Prosperity which followed the Civil War along with the significance of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Logan County's involvement in these activities will be detailed.

A few problems of the time included gold backed currency, the popular vote for U. S. senators, and government welfare.

The public is invited. Following a short business meeting, refreshments will be served.

[DIANE OSBORN]