The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-04-03
THE BOOMERS.

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Ths Couch Colony still Awaiting Develop
nents ut Arkansas City-Small Parties
Said to Have Slipped In From Arkansas
and Texas-wOrk for the Troops to
Gust Them-The Determination of the
Boomers to Possess the Land.
ARKANSAS CRY, KAs., March 22.-The
reports tclegraphed 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 has made an effort to enter the
promised land, though doubtless they
would do so at the word of command
from Captain Couch. All are here and
patiently waiting with the military watch
ing them. The notes of the bugle sum-
moned the boomers to meeting at three
O'Clock yesterday afternoon and notwith-
standing the bitter cold wind that blew
over the prairie, about five hundred COL
onists, among whom were several women,
congregated around the headquarters at
the camp to listen to the report of Cap
Grafton of plans for the future.
In view of the telegram received from
the representatives of the colony i'm Wash
ington announcing the improbability of
the Presidents proclamation being with
drawn or modified, an impression pre-
vailed that decided measures would be
taken at the meeting. The colonists,
however, have large fund of patience.
When their Captain advised them to al
low the President reasonable time for
settlement of the Oklahoma difficulty, ex-
pressing his belief that Mr.. Cleveland in
tended to deal fairly and Justly with
them, his hearers expressed their will
ingness to await future news from Wash
ingtOn- -ss
There was no effort made, however, by
either Couch or the speakers who fol-
lowed him to evade the issue, and 1t was
boldly declared that, should a commits
sion not be appointed to negotiate with
the Indians for the extinguishmeut of
their alleged right to Oklahoma, and the
cattlemen not be driven from their
ranches Immediately the boomers would
march in body and take possession of
the territory despite all threats, the mill
tary or the Presidents proclamation.
The invasion of the country by force is
regarded as a last and terrible resort, to
be had recourse to only on the event of
satisfactory explanation being refused by
the President for the action be has taken.
The meeting was informed that a letter
had been received fr IN Michigan guaran-
teeing the cooperation of 1000 ex-sol-
diers, who were ready to march at any
time to the aid of the colOnists, and an
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 Oklaho-
ma. The captain expressed the opinion
that the United States Government could
not raise soldiers enough TO compete in
with the boomers who would
rush to the aid of the colony in case the
future course of the President should not
be dictated by q 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 Us well as in their private
they advocate obedience to
be made against them is their threat to
enter upon the forbidden territory An
explanation of the law is not vouchsafed
10 them.
After a number of speeches counsel
ing patience and perseverance had been
nsde the meeting adjourned subject to
he call of the captain.
The Coffeyville colonists are said to
nave entered the territory and to have
begun building. Several isolated teams
Ire also said to have entered further West
Two teams owned by the
Tyeth Cattle Company left this city
oaded with fruit trees for planting on
he land occupied in Oklahoma.
When the news reached here that the
Ioffeyville colonists had entered the
Territory, there was considerable excite
nent. 1t seems while the troops are en-
aged in keeping out the Couch boomers,
here, the people are going in
t other points in small parties, and if
he movement continues 1t will be neces-
airy for the troops to march again to
oklahoma and remove them. Freighters
eport numbers Of them already settled
long the Canadian River in tents and
ugouts. Captain Devices, with four
will reach that vicinity with
q q week and turn back the party that
as entered from Arkansas and Texas.
;eneral Hatch is here, and il he finds it
ecesssry to send forward the troops
near this point, they will be re-
laced by six companies from Fort
IN THE SOUDAN.