The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-04-02
The Oklahoma Lands.

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Recently so much has been written and
said about the Oklahoma lands that every
reader OF current literature has become
familiar with the term. but comparatively
few are familiar with the merits of the
controversy which claimed, SO early, the
atteHtion of President Cleveland, and
drew forth the initial proclamation of his
administration.
stretch Of country, occupying the centre
of the Indian Territory. and comprising
about 800 square miles in the heart of
the garden spot of the West. Not only is
it famed for the richness of its soil, the
beauty and variety of its scenery, and its
splendid and abundant water, but the
climate is delightful, fish and game abound,
and the people who dwell there are singu-
larly free from disease. The only difficulty
experienced, is that those who would
make it blossom as the rose are not per-
mitted to occupy the lands. The prize is
SO tempting, however, that not only are its
would-be possessors willing to brave the
ordinary troubles that beset pioneers in
establishing themselves in Il new country,
but in addition thereto seem determined
to defy the whole power Of the govern
ment which stands pledged to hold this
section for the uses of the Indians.
1t has been nearly five years since Capt.
Payne and band of hardy followers first
conceived the idea of settling on the Okla
homa lands. They held that it was public
property. The authorities drove them off
on the ground that the Territory was a
reservation for the future use Of the In
dians. But the fertility of the soil and
it's desirable situation were so alluring to
the boomers" that they defed the author
tiles and settled in the country. Payne
was Il typical frontiersman, brave. indie
fatigable and determined. In spite of
civil proceedings in the courts and frequent
collisions with the United States troops.
he held his ground. Arrested and detained
| in prison for long time, no sooner was he
restored to freedom than he again led a
uEttIu1lUctl lUlO lOA UlllOCI iOii'
Again and again he was elected, until
finally in November last his turbulent and
eventful life ended. 1t was thought that
after his death his followers would dis
band, but his mantle fell upon leader no
less able and courageous. Capt. Couch
took the place of the old chief and at the
head of force numbering 400, once more
crossed the prescribed boundary. In JAM
uary last, Col. Hatch, in command of the
governm ent troops. attacked the boomers
who were strongly entrenched at Still
water After some parley, the boomers
finally agreed to a conditional surrender,
with the understanding that they would
be allowed to leave the Territory unmo-
Tested and without being placed under mil
itary restrictions.
When the elected boomer" reached
Kansas they were hailed with applause.
A majority of the people sympathized with
them and joined in bitter denunciation of
the Government A public meeting, pre-
sided over by Couch and largely attended,
was held in Topeka, and strong resolutions
passed. The boomers" took the ground
that the use OF the army to eXpel the men
who had settled on lands which it was
claimed were owned by the Government
and subject to homestead and presumption
under the laws of Congress, was IN
outrage that ''would disgrace the worst
monarchy of the Old1Vorld. They con-
tended that they had right under the law
to settle and occupy any government lands
and that the reservation guaranteed to the
Indians could not interfere with that
right.
For the time being there has been
cessation of boomer operations, but not
even the positive stand taken by the Pres
ident will long deter the occupancy of the
lands. 1t may not be for some time, but
the day is coming, and not very far distant
either, when the Indian will be forced to
flee from this chosen region, and under the
influences of new civilization the splen-
did capabilities of the soil and climate
will be developed to their fullest extent.
In the language of the Cherokees, Okla
home signifies 1.-THE home of the red man.,
but home; to the Indian has long since
become a mockery, and ere many years
the ''happy hunting ground will be the
only refuge for the remnant of that people,
once the undisputed possessors of the
fairest of earth's lands.