The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-12-13
OKLAHOMA

2,5oo men Raady to Entersthe, Territory
HUNNEWELL. Ks, Dec. 1.-THE Okla
homa settlers broke camp on Bitter
Greek at 10 o'clock this morning and fol-
| lowed the state line to Hunneweil, whers
| they are now camped. The settlers were
closely followed by federal cavalry under
command of Col. Cappinger, who has su-
| psrceeded Lieut.. Mason. and the blue
coats pitched their tents on Indian terri
| tory seperate from the colonists but few
hundred yards on the opposite bank of
Shoefy Greek Before breaking camp
this morning Col. Cappiuger and Lieut.
Mason visited the Oklahoma headquar-
ters for a conference With the colony Of
icsrs. Capt. Payne. Major Maidt and
Staff were present. and the former an
nounced that TIE military command of the
settlers had been transferred te Major
maidt. Col Cappin -er then requested
Information as to The designs Of the
settlers asd wheti.er they Intended to
enter the territory the face VI the pfe*i-
deus pFec!ain 4iloi- add n.i:ti"Iy resistance.
Major ii Mads replied that ~ Sc, tiers were
thoroughly orgaa.Zed aaa cquippcd in
military fJr.3 aai h6 nould assemble
their company officers fer CONSULTATION.
The captains vi eight CouapanIes were
accordjuE!y sCraa:ontd 30 keaGQutritrs
ard Ua2pii0 oasly ,xs1eSsed their iuten
tlons OF moving into the pubic lands Of
Ok3ah0Ua az any haZ4rd unless forbidden
by Congress. This ended the conference
and the settlers and troops a once bruke
camp and resumed their march al0nc the
territory line, reGcGinE Uunnewcll about
o'clock NJ [. j. probable that the
settlers will remaja in their present camp
until Monday. Arrange ncnts have been
made Ter ;rehgious services to morrow,
conducted By the Ecoiony chapIain. Re-
cruits are constantly pouring 10 and LARGE
accessions are expected to morrow. Most
Of the new corners are from the dr0ushty
regions of Western Kansas, where the
settlers have been literally starved out for
several years past. The southern border
has been almost barren waste, farmers
being unable TO raise sufficient seed for
the next planting Women and children
came in to-day following their meagre out
fit, and presenting a pitiful destitute
condition. Families with barely suth
cient means to provide months
subsistence for themselves and stock
have joined the coIoDy in the
hope OF getting fresh start on the i'vclfc
lands of Oklahoma. Daring The last three
days twenty five teams have crossed the
line at this point and moved into the
promised Land. Fifty teams have also
moved down from Caldwell. A large
nun Der of settlers have also crossed the
Arkansas line and strong body is moving
up from Texas. It is stated that from
500 to 1000 white settlers are already
on the public lands 10 the territory and a
majority of those who have been expelled
have retraced their steps as soon as dis
charged from custody The settlers in
camp here are resolute not to say desper
ate. They know not what to do or where
to go ii not permitted to move upon the
ceded lands. Ii it were not for the psrsu
aston and restraint exercised by the officers
of the colouy, they would have crossed the
land line in the face of the soldiers twenty
four hours ago. The situation is critical.
and the officers OF the colony hope to
receive assurances from w ashington before
they move from this point that will avert
the threatened conhict.