The sun., 1880-12-12
PRICE THREE CENTS.
TO OKLAHOMA OR TO DEATH.
CAPT PAYNE'S COLONISTS DETER
MINED TO CROSS THE LINE

All Fully Armed and Equipped and Declaring
that Nothing hut Congress can now Prevent
them from Catering the Indian Territory
CHICAGO, Dec. ia Times special from
Hunnewell. Kan. says: -Four hundred men.
fully armed and equipped. are 30 desperate az
to stand face to face with troops OF the United
Stntes ready to cross the line and take the
chances OF being shot. For several years
western Kansas has been filling up with people
from the East. who have not raised enough
to replace the seed sown. They fnd themselves
here with families on the point OF starvation.
Capt. Payne this morning grew alarmed at the
attitude OF his men when he proposed CON-
servative measures. and no turned the COM
mand over to Major Maidt who summoned the
Captains OF companies for consultation. They
unanimously resolved to go to the arabic lands
OF Oklahoma or to death. A meeting OF citi-
zens OF Hunnewell adopted an address express
ing appreciation OF the enterprise and urging
The coonists contend that the ceded lands In
Oklahoma are part ofthe public domains. and
occupy @ by them as they have to enter upon and oo.
cupy any other public lands in the United
States. The Inferior Department, on the other
hand. holds that these lands are held against
fo'is for Indian la us settiSmont CAPT PsySe and
srai troops; and Payne was subsequently
taken by the courts Mr.. scRurs. in his last tan. an.
nual report, said that the penalty for repeated
merely. Is mot mot sacient @ tton to deter iSWess mem
from such undertakings. and no recommended
that the penalty q imPTisonphent be added
be very different affair.
HUNNEwELL. Kan. Dec 1.-THE Oklahoma
this morning, and followed the State line to
Hunnewell. where they are now encamped.
cavalry. under the command OF Col. -Coppinger.
who have pitched their tents In the Ind an Ter
hundred yards. on the opposite bank OF Shoo-
Before breaking camp this morning ool. Cop
the designs Of the settlers, and whether they
In ass tss psap aItG5a
and military reslstance. Major Maldt
organized and equipped in military form. and
he would assemble their company officers for
panes were 0I o
their intentions Of moving into the public lands
by Congress- This ended the con niercnce. and
the troops at once broke camp and resumed
ing HunneweiI at about p NJ
=, II is probable that the settlers will remain In
are constantly pouring in. and large accessions
are expected tomorrow. Most OF the newcom-
W6ere the srs Been Starved
out for several years past.
Women and children came in to- day. having
meagre outfit and presenting q pitifully des-
titute condition. Families with barely. SUM-
eient means to provide q months subsistence
IN the hopes OF getting fresh start on the pro-
life lands OF Oklahoma.
During 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 number
Of settlers have also crossed the Arkansas
line. and strong body is moving up
from Texas. 1t Is estimated that from
1,500 to 1000 white settlers are already on the
public lands in the Territory. and majority OF
those who have been expelled have retraced
their steps as soon as discharged from custody.
The settlers in camp here are resolute. not to
say desperate. They know not what to do or
where to go II they are not permitted to move
upon the coded lands. II 1t were not for the per-
suasion and restraint exercised by the officers OF
the colony 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
Washington before they move from this point
that will avert the threatened conflict.