National Republican., 1881-09-16
AN INVADER.
PAYNE, THE OKLAHOMA LEADER.
Interesting Sketch OF the Man-Hls Checkercd Ca.
recr in This City and Elseuhere-Beasons
Why lie Is Trying 10 Settle in
the Indian Territory.

a reporter of The REPUBLICAN, met Cap
tain John W Hall yesterday and, drawing his
Faber, extracted the following facts from the labo
ratory where Hall keeps his knowledge stored:
You are from Kansas, believe, and suppose
are acquainted with Captain David l.. Payne, the
Oklahoma invaderY'
"fes, have known Payne ever since he came to
Kansas"
what State IS he a native Off
Indiana. He was born about forty miles from
indianapolis and came to Kansas In 1856, when 1t
was q Territory and took up n land claim Of 1GO
acres in Doniphan County. He lived there until
1861, pursuing the ayocaton of farmer. At the
commencement of the war he enlisted in one of
the Kansas regiments for three years as private.
After serving ont his enlistment he came TO Wash
ington and enlisted in the Veteran Corps, in which
he remained until the close Of the war So far
have ever been able to hear, he was good SOL
der"
What became OF him after the cruel war was
ovorg"
He re turned to Kansas and took up another land
claim in new portion OF the State, and soon
blossomed out into politics as n candidate for tho
state Legislature, TO which he was elected He
was Democrat, and while there he offered what
was known as the Payne resolution the sub
stance of which was to grant general amnesty to
all rebels. During the Indian raids Of 1868. when
Governor Crawford called for State troops, he
raised company and went to the front, where he
remained until the close Of the Indian campaign"
" How did Captain Payne pan out in poll
ticsY
He became involved In debt while in politics,
mortgaged his homestead, and II was sold, leaving
him nothing. During the great tidal wave Of De-
mocmcy In 1875 Payne came to the point and tried
to float himself into position. coming to Washington
In the hope OF being provided for by his Demo-
cratic friends. They proved ungrateful and failed
TO recognize his services. After the adjournment
of the first session of the Forty fourth Congress- to
tide over the summer months, with the hope of
place the next winter, he went down the Potomac
River and became chief engineer of the
logs in saw. .mlll-that is, he handled the
logs-whch position he held until just
before the presidential election In 1876. when he
was furnished money to go to Indiana TO help
work up the Democratic BOOM He remained in
his Intve State until Congress met, when he again
returned to Washington and became an Office
beggar from the Democrats of the House, claiming
1t as reward for long and hard service Finally
through The influence of Congressman Goodn of
Kansas he was appointed one of the additional
police provided for In the electoral count bill"
"What then? After his term Of Office expired
what became of himg'
=" There he runs ograss. Aftcrgetting his money
he went on taregot on breeze, so to speak--and
| his money lusted him about one day. after which
time he was again in the impccuneous state which
Ihh bCNhlHc WIN MIN. llc lOulCu HtOunu
Washington, living from haud to mouth. until the
fall OF lsiI when Congressman Phillips aud others
| procured from Secretary Thompson a place for
| him in the naval saw mill at Norfolk"
=" How long did he stay at Norfolk; why did he
leave there, and where did he go toT'
AS soon rs Congress met Payne came back TO
this city, landing without nickel, having Dor.
| rowed I'D money from poor old soldier ut the
Home at Hampton TO get here with. The soldier
followed him here after time to try and get his
money back, aud Payne settled the account by
promising to get the old fellow place, which he
has not done yet. Through the help of Kansas
friends he was appointed to place in the engine.
room of the House Of Representatives and from
there was promoted to messengers place on the
disabled soldiers roll though he was not disabled
soldier, except financially. Payne boarded and
lodged at house on the Avenue during the time of
his waiting for place, on the promise of payment
when hc secured 1t; but, as soon us he received
the appointment, LEFT without settling. His nu-
merous creditors howled around him and made 1t
| so hot that he ioresaw the necessity of change
of base; and 1t was while swinging the door of
the ladies' gaeryand dodgng his creditors that he
| conceived the plan of the Oklahoma raid that he
might find pastures new. He tried to organize his
| colony here, but failed for the lack of money"
| How did he get away from here?"
Z" 1t Is said that railroad companies interested in
| lands in the Indian Territory sent him on to St.
Louis and to spy out the land in the Indian nation
and that at ST. Louis they furnished the money to
equip the colonists, whose cry is 'on to Okla
| homar"
"What kind Of man is Payne physically and
otherwse?'
Physically he is a fine specimen Of man. He
is six feet three inches high, with large muscu-
lar frame big head, pleasant aud genial manners,
| quick and fluent in conversation, and, to sum 1t
up, he Is one olthe most complete confidence men
| | have ever seem"