The troops sent out to enforce the law were placed under the control of General Hatch, noted for his success in the Indian wars. Arkansas City became the headquarters of the would-be invaders, and there they assembled to the number of several thousand. The defections, however, caused by the poor prospects of success were numerous, and the excitement gradually died out. In 1880 we were denounced alike by the people and the press. This change is due to a more thorough understanding of the situation.
People now see lying idle millions of acres of the richest land in the United States.
The bill before the forty-ninth congress, asking for the opening of the country failed, and perhaps it is best it did. It included the countries of the five civilized tribes. In the bill introduced by Mr. Springer of Illinois, this land is not comprised, but only that west of it and also 'No Man's Land,' and I think there is every reason to believe that bill will pass. The land thus included consists of about twenty-five million acres.