The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-05-04

fng hands Every farm had more than one
claimant, all ready to swear that they
| crossed the border first, and that theirs
were the first improvements. So it is ali
over the Territory, and especially on the
sections adjoining Guthrie and Oklahoma
| City.
Between 20, 600 and $1,000 people were
dumped here by the Santa Fe road, which
ran twenty immense trains from Arkansas
City. The trains moyed across the Chero-
kee strip cautiously and slowly and arrived
here scarcely more than five minutes
apart. AS they approached the land
of promise thousands of heads protruded
from the windows, and envious eyes
feasted on the green panorama that lay be-
fore them. There was much fighting to get
out of the cars when the little building
which answers for station was reached.
Nobody was hurt, however, and the coaches
were soon emptied.
1t was curious sight to watch the boom
ers after they had got fairly on foot The
majority of them seemed to be dazed
by the vastness of their surround
ings. Many of them gazed stupidity to the
north, southeast and west, and
then moved ahead like men who were
lost Others started for the hills and still
others bent themselves to the task of rails
open various kinds of business Those who
went for the hills We're after claims. Just
how well their explorations succeeded is
not known, for very few of them have re-
turned
1t is safe to say that to-day every farm in
the Territory is in possession of one or
more claimants, and that besides there are
from %, 900 to $1,000 more wandering aim
lessly about in search of land. The rush at
the land Office here is terrific. The
building is surrounded by mob of
bowling men, which is being con-
stantly augmented by horsemen who
are galloping in from every quarter Land
Agent Dilley and his force of assistants are
unable to give attention to a hundredth
part of the business that is being forced
upon them The detachment of troopers
which has been detailed around the build
ing with view to keeping the mob in an
orderly line is completely worn out.
A dispatch from Oklahoma City states
that the rush there is even greater than
here. Over at Kingfsher, or Lisbon, where
the crowds brought in on the Rock Island
are gathering, there has been no trouble US
yet
A correspondent followed the march of
the 10000 from the Arkansas and Walnut
valley camps down the Ponca trail end
across the Cherokee strip. This was by five
times the largest throng that entered at any
one point and was composed OF the best
material that entered the Territory.
Between and o'clock twenty trains ar
rived. One hundred coaches came II ON
Arkansas City and fifty from Purcell
Every thing was packed from the pilot to
the last inch of roof space, and not less than
1900 people were deposited before dark
The scenes were at once exciting and gro
tesque. AS train stopped the crowds would
leap down, rush over the town Site each to an
undisputed spot, where he flung down his
luggage and literally squatted out OF
breath As the sun went down little tents
and unsheltered men dotted the region
over an area large enough for an Eastern
There Is covering for about
] 600 persons on liberal estimate,
and the nights, after the roasting days, are
actually chilly. Whether 1t rain or not,
great suffering must be endured by the
thousands OF unsheltered. Men who have
been In at the opening Of every new coun-
try since 40 aver that they never saw the
like OF tle crowds and excitement
FROM ARKANSAS CITY.
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan, April 23-Oklaho-
ma is open. The trials struggles and
sacrifices OF years are partially rewarded,
but the Events OF Monday Will prove how
far supply is below demand and necessitate
further concessions to avert disorder,
bloodshed and other conditions but little
short OF anarchy. The history of the day
viii forever bs memorable In frontier
appals. rld viii leave behind heritage VI