The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-02-04
OKLAHOMA.
Considerable Sympathy is Felt for the
Boomers" by Number Of Mem K
'bers of Congress- @Rs
Representatives from States bordering
on the Territory Seem Unanimous
in the Opinion That tho.
Land Should be Open.
HISTORY OF THE LANDS.

hiolOI1. We IIitE l1ANDbs II AIt
WAsHNGToS, February 2.-Notwith-
standing the fact that the President, In re-
sponse to an inquiry of the House, maintains
that the Oklahoma lands cannot, under ex-
isting treaties, be opened for settlement,
much sympathy is felt for the "Boomers"
by members of Congress. The Represent
atives from those States bordering upon the
Indian Territory seem unanimous In the
opinion that the time is not far distant
when most Of the Indian country will be
opened to white settlers. They would like
to see Congress take some action by which
the disputed land, or the title thereto, will
be settled, and an end put to the ever
recurring controversy. 1t Is popularity be-
lieved that Oklahoma Is at the present time
occupied by the Indians to whom 1t
was originally ceded, but this Is a
mistake. Oklahoma Is what was once
part OF the domain of the Creeks and Sem.
inOles In 1866 the Government made
treaty with these tribes, by which half of
their reservation was ceded TO the Govern
ment, the understanding at the time being
that It was TO be used as a reservation for
friendly Indians and freedmen. The IN
dians were paid for the land they gave up,
but OF course the Great Father drove a
sharp bargain with his copper-skinned ward,
and before the trade was ended the former
managed to sell in return some inferior
land at an advanced price. Congress after
ward decided that 1t would not use Okle-
hOma for friendly Indians and freedmen,
as intended, and ever since it. has been a
question In the minds of some whether the
land should not be considered part OF the
public domain.
Captain Payne, the leader of the first set.
tiers, or Boomers" who invaded the land,
took the ground that 1t was Government
land, and until his death continued to in
wade and settle upon II with his followers,
each time being ousted by the military. 1t
is believed that the Government can not
much longer keep the persistent whites out
OF the Territory, which possesses avery rich
soil and Is very attractive to the pioneer,
and then II becomes an interesting question
to know what Is TO become of poor Mr.. Lo.
He has been thorn In the side Of the body
polite for many years. Whenever 1t has
been found that his home has been In the
midst of good country he has been
crowded of and given n smaller reservation
where It was supposed the land was less
valuable. The Indian must 60, say those
who have given most study TO the subject.
II the present policy should be continued, 1t
would not be long before all his land would
be absorbed by the Government
Not only are they swlndled by the Gov.
ernment, bot INSCRIPTIONS agents and even
some OF the shrewd Indian chiefs them
selves are guilty OF enrichlng themselves
atlthe expense OF the lower classes In the
different tribes Z II Is urged that the lands
should be given TO them In seyeralty and
everything done 10 break up the tribal re-
lation. Even among the more civilized Of
the State OF New York, where II would
seem the Indian might be free from imposl-
tion, the Secretary OF the Interior was re-
Gently unofficially Informed Of abuses
which showed that q common Indian had
no rights tonehing his property which the
chief is bound TO respect. IL they were
given lands In severalty and each allowed
to receive their own annuity, doing with
the same as seemed best to them, II Is
thought that a spirit of Independence would
be fostered and their advancement toward
civilization promoted. ~ . W
WICHITA, Kan, February 2.-The Okla.
h0ma boomers arrested at Arkansas City by
order Of General Hatch arrived here Satur-
day afternoon In charge Of Deputy United
States. Marshal. They are: Captain w. l..
Couch, III. ii. Stafford, q. w. Brown And
Il. S, Wilcox. They were araigned before
United States Commissioner Sherman and
bound over In thu sum Of 500 each for O
hearing February 10.
Mr.. Sones and three companions arrived
In this city yesterday fresh from the Terri
tory. These men we're with the boomers ut
StillwateE Sones was with Captain Payne
on his raid.
The principal cause OF the surrender was
the failure OF Congress to take any action,
the lack OF supplies and their inability to
hold out against tile troops. The raid was
made at this time because Congress Is In
session. The colonists will dlsperse to
their homes and will make another attempt
on the 4th OF next March. Sones says the
boomers have fixed this date because they
believe the Incoming administration will be
friendly TO the project. The 4th Of next
March concerted movement will be made
In which all the coonlsts, aided by the
Cofeyyille and Kansas City colohists, will
join. e.,.a, 3. ,..s, sr.s. -,
Elk Falls, Kan, February "A re-
porter met General Hatch at Caldwell and
stated to him the nature Of the resolution
passed by the Arkansas City boomers de-
nouncIng President Arthur's administra-
tlon. He was greatly surprised on learning
that the men intended 70 return to Okla
homa and prepare for another selge. They
will 90 by the Arkansas trail, which they
claim Is q public highway. Captain Couch |
says that II the soldiers try his followers
which they will probably do, as there are
number Of companies stationed at the Oteo !
mission, ON the Arkansas trail-he will |
fire on thcm, as there Is no law TO prevent |
the boomers from travelling on the public |
highway. rf @ oE