Daily globe., 1882-09-29
DEVILS LAKE.

Review of tho Various Points Involved
in the Proposed Addition to the Military
Reservation n Substantial and Urgent
Reasons Why the Actual Settlers Should
Not Be Disturbed, and Why the Territory
Should at Onoe Be Opened to Settlement.
The bombshell that was thrown into the
Devils lake settlements in the shape of
the proposed addition to the military res
ervation, cutting out the choicest lands,
and that portion that has been 80 rapidly
peoplsd, threw not only the squatters
around the lake into CONSERVATION, but 1t
resounded through the entire north Dako-
ia and the Northwest, and there has been
anxious inquiries about the party who fired
the fuse that created the explosion. The
smoke has cleared away, and nearly all
parties concerned have been heard from,
which enables one to get a
clear idea of the past and present situa-
tion. 1t appears that ex-Lieut. 81. NJ.
Creel, until recently connected with the
army at Fort Totten, was some time ago,
detailed to make a military survey of
DEVILS lake. During this survey he dis
covered a heavy body of timber on the
south shore. at point designated on
CreeFs map, as Rock Island. Half of this
timber belt was set aside for the military
reservation. for the sake of the timber
1t is alleged that Creel took possession of
the balance of the timber land, estimated
1000 to 1000 acres, and arranged with
some parties to squat on this land,
placing one ''settler" on each 16O acres.
This occurred about eighteen months ago,
say-a year ago last spring there was only
one actual known settler on the east or north
side of the lake, Lamoreaux by name,
and consequently there were no envious
eyes on Creel's Rock Island ranch, but this
last spring, when the settlers began
to come in thick and fast, and the
entire north side, from Lamoreux's-now
Jerusalem postoffice-toward and to Rock
Island was teeming with settlers. and
people everywhere squaring off their I60
acres. then people began to wish they had
part of Creels timber, and attempts were
made to take forcible possession of Rock
Island, which failed, and the parties thus
defeated very naturally went to military
quarters at. Fort Totten with their COM
plants.
1t was probably about this time that
His Excellency Gov. Ordway, happened
out at ForttTo ten, heard these complaints
about Creel, and without 60
ing on the north shore
was led to believe there were but few set
tiers there and these all of the Creel
stamp, and, in fact, there we're then not
many as far west as Rock Island. or Six
mile bay.
That was in June, and since that time
the emigration to the north side of Dew
IFS lake has been large, the settlers claim
ing to be upwards of three thousand
strong, of a thrifty, active, energetic
class of people, peaceably disposed, and
law abiding. They have come from east
ern Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa
and Illinois, many of them with their all in
means enough to make good improve
ments.
They have broken from ten to fifty acres
this season, for cropping next year, cut
hay for winter use, in short, making actual
settlement in the fullest sense of tho term,
using their means, influence and time 10
improve and develop the land chosen for
their homes. No one will dispute Govern
or Ordway in his statement that the inten-
tion was only to protect the dns timber
belt on the north shore from the timber
sharks, but the war department in setting
aside ten by forty miles took not only the
timber section, but the entire north shore,
including, Of course, the settlements at
Lamoreau1's," the Narrows, "Dana's'
Point, Zimmerelrs and Creelsburg; in
short, fenced in,fguratively the continuous
settlement, except that part extending to
Freshwater lake, toward the west.
Now it is claimed that the rsmonstrance
and indignation meetings are largely man
lpulated by the timber, crowd but they are
not one to hundred of the real settlers.an
the interests and rights of the ninety and
nine should certainly be respected and
protected, and some means should be
found by which to distinguish the
settler from the proxies. 1t would appear
right and proper to gnell the
disturbance and pacify the settlers
that Secretary Teller should issue his
proclamation Immediately declaring the
territory opened to settlement and order
the lands surveyed.
This accomplished let a commission be
appointed to look into the alleged fraudu-
lent claims. -.
To let the matter hang fire now,
would stop the steady emil
grafton that has been, and
which would otherwise increase ten-fold
next season. With this land regularly
opened to settlement and surveyed, the
emigration next season will meet the
widest expectation and be an important
factor in the development of north Da-
kota.
A SUCCESSFUL OPENING.
Marie Litta's Concert Company Score n