120 HISTORY OF THE WHEEL AND ALLIANCE. 



rapidly organized ; all of the Alliances being chartered by 

 the State Alliance of Texas. In May, 1887, the organ- 

 ized Alliances and Unions united, forming the State Un- 

 ion of Louisiana. The Alliances surrendered their char- 

 ters and received charters from the State Union. The 

 Order now increased rapidly throughout the State until at 

 the present time (February, 1890) there are thirty-nine 

 parishes organized, with about seven hundred subor- 

 dinate Unions. On the i8th day of January, 1887, the 

 Farmers' Union of Louisiana consolidated with the 

 State Alliance of Texas and formed the National Farm- 

 ers' Alliance and Co-operative Union of America. 



THE ALLIANCE IN MISSOURI. 



In the latter part of April, 1887, J. W. DeSpain and 

 J. Groves made their appearance as organizers in Butler 

 county, Missouri. Early in May following Mr. Groves 

 organized Liberty Alliance in Butler county, which was 

 the first Alliance organized in the State. Other Alliances 

 were soon formed and in a short time a County Alliance 

 was organized. 



About the same time A. H. Bryson and P. G. Cotton 

 were commissioned by President Macune and sent into 

 Southwest Missouri. 



During the summer of 1887 organization was con- 

 tinued rapidly till seven counties were organized and a 

 call was issued for a State meeting. Representatives from 

 the seven counties met in the city of Poplar Bluff on the 

 4th day of October and formed the Missouri State Alli- 

 ance. A constitution was adopted and officers .elected. 

 A. B. Johnson was chosen President and Frank Farrell 

 Secretary. The membership at this time was about 

 2,ooo. On the 24th day of April, 1888, upon the call of 

 President Johnson, the State Alliance convened in extra 

 session at Reed's Station in Jasper county. At this meet- 



