Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-03-14
RUSH ON THE RESERVATION.
Lively Times on the winnsbago and siou
Lands -Okiahosna.

Lively Times on the winnsbago and Sioux
Lands Oklahoma.
DUBu QUE, Ia, March 10.--Deputy United
States Marshal Hopkins and his assistant
nave returned to this city from the Winnie
bago and Sioux reservation, whittier they
went to look up claims and hunt criminals
They relate remarkable experience with the
rush of people, who went there by the hun
ireds to claim these lands as soon as Presi-
dent Arthur attached his signature to the
document which opened said lands for SETTLE
ment
'she reservation he ays, comprises the best
lands in Dakota, having been selected by the
indian agents years ago. They are on the
sast side of the Missouri river, and those por-
lions opened for settlement are bounded ON
the north by Pierre, and on the south by
Chamberlain. The area OF the district opened
for settlement includes twenty six townships,
with thirty-six miles to each township, and
$40 acres in mile. According to the home
stead law, every head Of family, whether
an able-bodied man or servant girl, and
and every male over twenty-six years of age
has right to pre-empt 100 acres of land.
Five minutes after the time on Friday af-
ternoon, when President Arthur signed the
ment, the fact was known in Chamberlain,
and as soon rs one man crossed the reserva-
lion line with load of lumber thousands OF
other in waiting followed him. All the hired
girls in the hotels were in the front ranks
Not barber-shop was open. Nearly oil the
business men, except the hotel and saloon
keepers, were in the anxious aud excited
crowd Teams and wagons were employed
70 haul settlers at $25 per day in advance
Those who preferred town lots employed a
awer, who laid out town site opposite
Chamberlin. During Friday night the erec-
lion of 100 houses was commenced, and the
town Is being rapidly built. Many of the
houses are already occupied by families
The prospect is that much litigation and
bloodshed will be the result OF the excite
nent. The agent Of the Chicago, Milwaukee
and st. Paul railroad filed warrants i'm the
name OF his company to q large portion of
The land contained in the reservations and
now settled upon. The Indians are unfriendly
10 the settlers and are encouraged by the In
tian agents, who, in many Instances, drive
settlers away. Until q registration Office is
open on the reservation the settlers win not
leave their claims, fearing that they would
be jumped If they did so. The Indian agents
refuse to register until they receive formal
notice from the government that the land
has been thrown open TO settlement In
many cases the settlers were unable to find
the corners Of the sections, and when surveys
were made it was found, in many cases, that
cabins some distance apart were really ON the
same section, Then the question arose who
settled here first, and the man who displayed
the most formidable Winchester rifle or navy
revolver generally induced the other fellow
TO believe that he did.
The work Of erecting shanties on the claims
progresses night and day. Several lawsuits
have been entered where more than one have
taken possession. People from abroad did
seem to anticipate the rush, for those who ar
rived at Chamberlain Wednesday found that
every inch of the land had been pre-empted
The trains going to Chamberlain consisted of
several sleepers and passenger coaches, jam
med full Of poor fellows who labored under
the delusion that they had only to visit the
reservation and stay on it over night to ac-
quire possession Of 100 acres Of land. Agent
Gassinan received orders from the interior
department not to allow the Indians to inter-
fere with the settlers, but their is bad blood
existing and trouble is feared at any time.