Huntsville gazette., 1885-03-28
THE BOOMERS.

Tho Couch Colony Still Awaiting Develop
ments at Arkansas City-Small Parties
Said to Have Slipped In From Arkansas
and Texas-WOrk for the Troops to
Dust Them-The Determination Of tho
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 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
tain Couch and to take part in the delib.
Grafton of plans for the future.
In view of the telegram received from
the representatives of the colony in 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 a large fund OF patience.
Shen 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.
There was no effort made, however, by,
either Couch or the 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 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 last and terrible resort, to
| be had recourse to only on the event OF
| satisfactory explanation being refused by
| the President for the action he has taken.
| The meeting was informed that a letter
had been received from Michigan guaran-
! teeing the cooperation of 1000 ex-soI-
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
numbers 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 sense Of justice and fair
plav.
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 youchsafed
to them.
After number of speeches counsel
ling patience and perseverance had been
made the meeting adjourned subject to
the call of the captain.
The Coffeyville colonsts are said to
have entered the territory and to nave
begun building. Several isolated teams
are also said to have entered further West
Yesterday. Two teams owned by the
Wveth Cattle Company left this city
loaded with fruit trees for planting on
the land occupied in Oklahoma.
When the news reached here that the
Coffeyyille colonists 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
at 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. Frelgnters
report numbers of them already settled
along the Canadian River IN tents ana
dugouts. Captain Devices, with 1our
companies, will reach that vicinity with
in a week and turn back the party that
has entered from Arkansas and Texas.
General Hatch is here, and II ne hnds IL
necessary to send forward the troops
stationed near ~lis point, they viii be re-
placed by six companies from Fort
Leavenworth.