HISTORY OF THE FARMERS' ALLIANCE. 1 19 



In a short time fully one-half of the counties in the 

 State were organized and at the next State meeting, held 

 at Newton on the i4th day of August, 1889, a large and 

 enthusiastic representation was present. B. H. Clover and 

 J. B. French were re-elected to fill the same positions. 



Delegates were elected to the National meeting to be held 

 in St. Louis in December following. Since the St. Louis 

 meeting and the publication of the Demands there adopted, 

 the membership has more than doubled. There are at 

 present about 3,000 Sub- Alliances in the State with a mem- 

 bership of over 100,000. 



The Alliance of Kansas has many strong advocates 

 among the public press. In this respect it stands, per- 

 haps, ahead of every other State. Many of these papers 

 have an extensive circulation and are ably conducted. 

 The Order is in good shape and ready to make a strong 

 fight for industrial freedom. At a recent meeting of rep- 

 resentatives of the Alliance, Grange, Knights of Labor 

 and other organizations it was decided to put out an inde- 

 pendent ticket in the State. The struggle will be fierce 

 and the result watched with great interest throughout the 

 nation. 



THE ALLIANCE IN LOUISIANA. 



Before the Alliance made its appearance in Louis- 

 iana, Samuel Skinner, J. A. Tetts and others had organ- 

 ized what was known as the Farmers' Union. This or- 

 ganization had the same objects in view as the Farmers' 

 Alliance. In its early existence the Union occupied the 

 territory east of Red River. 



The first Alliance was organized west of Red River 

 by J. W. DeSpain and J. Groves, October yth, 1886. 

 On the following day they organized another Alliance in 

 Desoto Parish. This territory had been previously can- 

 vassed by T. J. Guise, and as a result Desoto Parish was 



