The Evening critic., 1885-04-11
THE BOOMER CHIEFTAlN.

OOuCn, tnS OklanOnnb Gehuerl III WaSn-
ington to Plead the Settlers Cause.
Colonel Couch, the leader of the band Of
home.seekers who for some years have
sought to effect settlements In Oklahoma,
arrived in Washington last evening aud
registered at the National Hotel. A CRITIC
reporter who sought tho Boomer leader soon
after bis arrival was fully prepared to en-.
counter man Of the Buffalo Bill pattern.
Tho scribe was prepared to note the raveu
locks that rivaled tho glossy name of the
bronco, and to gaze in admiration and fear
upon the determined countenance the fl m
features and the halfconcealod weapons.
He was ready to scrutinize tho necklace of
bears teeth, the top-boots and buckskln.
To those who have seen Colonel Couch IL
Is not necessary TO explain that the re-
porter did not gaze upon an herculean FORM
a buCkskin suit and walking arsenal. He
found in Colonel Couch q very mild
pleasant hammered man, not above the
medium height nor in any way remarkable
in appearance. His face was firm and
Drowned by the western sun and wind.
His hair was of ordinary length and
caielessly brushed back. He wears a thick
and bristling sandy mustache. His toilet
WAS in no way noticeable-suit, linen.
scarf, hat, footgcar and all were conven-
tional enough and there was nothing APP
parent TO suggest any Of the characteristics
or abilities which have elevated Couch to
the leadership Of a rugged, determined, un.
fortunate people and enabled him to face
danger, suffering and privation without
finchiDg. Colonel Couch is a man of
about 80 years, although not looking so old
THE CRITIC reporter was informed that
he was typical frontiersman, but being
unacquainted with ideal pioneers, observed
nothing about COUGHS manners, dialect or
movements that would have rendered him
out Of place on farm in the Middle or
Western States.
His accent was, perhaps, slightly tinged
with Western popularity, and there might
have been suspicion of Westernism
in the direct, unsdorned utterances, but
there was nothing that impressed itself as
typical of the pioneer and suggestive of
| the Boomer, as he is pictured on the stage
and in literature.
Colonel Couch is native OF New York
| State and spent his youth and early man
hood in the East. The gold fever of 10
| took him to the Pacific Slope, aud by the
time of the outbreak of the war he had
drifted back as far as Illinois. lie entered
an Illinois regiment and served with dis.
tinction and conspicuous gallantry. BY the
| close of the war he had earned his title
of Colonel by gradual promotion, and com.
manded regiment which had performed
admirable service. Colonel Couch thon
turned his attention TO tho industries Of
the far West, and for more than twenty
years has led the rugged life of pioneer.
In 1888 he became one of the many set
tiers who believed himself entitled to 100
acres of Oklahoma land, and who believed
that honest settlers- were deprived of their
rights that cattle.kings and ranchemen
might reap rich harvest from tho broad
lands of Oklahoma. He joined the So
called Boomers, ana became one of the most
daring and persistent of the followers of
Oklahoma Payne. He was at Payne's side
in all his invasions and repuses, and was
arrested with him after all his raids.
At the time Of Payne's death Couch was
chosen as his successor, and following in
the footsteps Of his predecessor, he has never
faltered in his efforts to have Oklshoms
thrown open to settlement and to com
pei recognition of the claims of those who
seek to establish homes. After the long
series of repulses aud arrests Colone
COUGHS people decided recently to send
him to Washington to plead their cause
and at meeting held near the Kansas Dor
der line an assemblage of 1900 settlers
voted unanimously to elect. Colonel C)u eli
president of the colony and to send him t.
Washington to urge the recognition Of
their claims.
Couch came at once and Immediately
upon his arrival arranged for an interview
with the President this morning. COuct
is confident that his visit will result
either in the opening up of Oklahoma t
settlement or in the expulsion of TIN
cattlemen either of which would be sat
isiactory to his people. He claims tina
the cattle kings are in undisturbed pos
session, entering, occupying and leaving
tho territory at pleasure, erecting fences
tents and huts, etc. The troops, he says
countenance daily invasions by the cattle
men and have sanctioned the establish
ment of ranches almost all over Okla
homa. The Presidential procamatons ar
construed as relating to Boomers alone an
the discrimination in favor of stockmen
constantly made. Couch says that all h
now asks is fair exposition of the Law
and enforcement of the Presidents proc
lamation, and these he expects to secure.