The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-02
THE BOOMER

Ths Couch Colony Still Awaiting Develop
Inents AZ Arkansas Cfty-Sman Parties
Said to Have Slipped In From Arkansas
and Texas-Work for the Troops to
Gust Thcm-The Determination of the
Boomers to Possess the Land.
ARKANSAS CITY, KAs., March 22.-The
reports telegraphed from other points,
though dated Arkansas City, and purport-
ing to give the news from here, have con-
tanned false Information to the effect that
members OF the Couch colony had crossed
into Oklahoma. No member of the colony
now here las made an effort to enter the
promised land, thouga doubtless they
would 60 so at the word of command
from Captain Couch. All are here and
patiently waiting With the military watch
ing tbcm. The notes of the bugle sum-
moned the boomers to meeting at three
O'Clock yesterday afternoon and notwith-
staining the bitter cold wind THAI blew
over the prairie, goout five hundred COL
onffts, among w'hom were several women,
coRgregated aTolnd the headquarters at
the camp TO listen to the report OF Cap
t1tn Couch sG9 to take part ia the DELHI
elation of plaRs for the future.
In view OF the telegram received from
tie representatives of the colony in Wash
iagton announcing the improbability of
the Presidents proclamation being with
drawn or II odificd, an impression pre-
vailed thai decided measures would be
taken at the meeting, The colonists,
however, nave a large fund of patience.
When tecir Captain 5dgised them to al
low the president reasonable time for
settlement of lhe Okls Gema difficulty, eX-
pressing his belief that Sir. Cleveland in
tended 20 deal fairy and Justly with
them, his hearers expressed their will
ingness to await futETe news from Wash
ington-
There was no effort made, however, by
either Couch or tie speakers who fol-
lowed him to evade the issue, and it was
boldly declared that, should commits
sion not be appointed to negotiate with
the Indians for the 'eXtinguishment of
their alleged right 10 Oklahoma, and the
cattlemen not be driven from their
ranches Immediately the boomers would
march in u body end take possession of
the territory despite all threats, the mill
taTy or the Presidents proclamation.
The invasion of the country by force is
regarded as last and terrible resort, to
be had recourse to only on the event of
satisfactory explanation being refused by
the President fOy theTactlon he has taken.
The meeting was Informed that letter
had been received fir IN Michigan guaran-
teeing the cooperation of 1000 ex-sol-
diers, who were ready to march at any
to-,
other letter from the Soldiers Home in
Ohio, stating that the 1000 soldiers OF
the Institution would join in petition to
the President for the opening of OGlaho-
ma. The capt&in expressed the opinion
that the United States Government could
not raise soldiers enough to compete in
numbers with the boomers who would
rush to the aiG of the colony in case the
future course of the President should not
be dictated by;a sense of justice and fair
play.
The meeting. consisted in great part of
aged, respectable farmers, whose gray
hair and boards, as well as their utter
ances and past conduct cOntradicts the
imputation that they have no respect
for the laws of their country. At every
meeting as well as in their private
conferences they advocate obedience to
the law, and the only point that can
be made against them is their threat to
enter upon the forbidden territory An
explanation Of the law is not vouclsafed
to them.
After a number of speeches counsel
ling patience and perseverance had been
made the meeting adjourned subject to
the call of the captain.
The CoffeyvilIe colonists are said to
have entered the territory and TO have
begun building. Several isolated teams
are also said to have entered further West
yesterday. Two teams owned by the
Wyeth Cattle Company left this city
loaded with fruit trees for planting on
the land occupied in Oklahoma.
When the news reached here that the
Coffeyville scolonists had entered the
Territory, there was considerable excite
ment. 1t seems while the troops are en-
gagged in keeping out the Couch boomers,
encamped here, the people are going in
1T other points in small parties, and if
The movement continues it will be neces-
sary for the troops to march again to
Oklahoma and remove them. Freighters
report numbers of them already settled
along the Canadian River in tents and
dugouts. Captain Devices, with four
companies, will reach that vicinity with.
IN week and turn back the party that
has entered from Arkansas aud Texas.
General Hatch is here, and if he finds 1t
necessary to send forward the troops
stationed near this point, they will be re-
placed by six companies from Fort
LeavenwortE.