davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
Fraudulent Lot-Grabbinr.

When the first train arrived at Guthrie
on the ODD, the town site had been Sc
lected. 1t was set on the east side of the
track, and already the wooden land Office
and 100 tents were standing. while twice
as many more town lots we're staked out.
A rude postofice was opened, lunch tent
was going at full blast and two meetings
looking to organization had been held.
Three or four hundred men had done all
this. and they had been on the scene two
or three days. They pretend to nave
complied with the law, and declare that
they did not take up their lots until IL
o'clock. They had ny right, by the spe-
cial laws under which Oklahoma Was
opened, to be in the territory Of all until
noon Monday. On side track stood
Santa Fe directors car, and in it were
Judge Guthrie. for whom the town is
named, Judge Foster, the United States
marshal, and other officers of the federal
court at Wichita, and some Topeka men.
They had been there ostensibly upon gov
eminent business, but really to secure
town lots. which they did in wholesale
quantity. There were 500 deputy marshals
on hand, and each had lot. Not only
this, but the sane crowd, having its eye
on fine piece of bottom land lying across
the track from the town, had been, in the
most open mockery, securing the brush
for boomers, that they might occupy it
themselves. Whether the judges are
parties to the scheme of their Topeka
guests. who are more or less directly con-
nected with the Santa Fe, is, Of course, mot
known
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03

lives but few miles from me at the
present time.
James E. Barnes and James A.
Lawrence, of Westport, N. Y. land James
G.. Allen, of Chatham Four Corners,
N. Y, were members Of Company A,
Seventy-seventh New York Volunteers,
Third Brigade, Second Division, Sixth
Corps. All three lost the left leg by
the same shell, in front of Petersburg,
Va, on the 21st day Of June, 1854.
Each amputation was performed by
DR.. Stevens at the Division Hos
pital, and all three were cut off above
the knee.
Before daylight on the morning of
June 21st the most of our division
(Second) relieved other troops in the
rifie-pits close up to the enemy, and
during daylight it was hardly safe to
expose any part of the person, as the
Confederate sharpshooters were noted
for their watchfulness and accuracy of
aim.
On approaching our station we had
to descend through cut in the earth
in order to cross the bed of railroad
which had been destroyed. After
crossing and rising to the level ground
again, we filed to the right and occu-
pied the pits squarely facing Peters,
burg. About o'clock a. m. the Con-
federate artillery opened fire upon us
from three different directions, which
continued holly without intermission
until 10 80 a. m. Nearly the last shell
I thrown came from our right, entered
the rife-pit diagonally, and exploded,
wounding the three Jims and some
others.
occupied comparatively safe posi-
ton during the fusillade, perched upon
the crooked stem of birch tree that
grew out of the bank, just below the
surface Of the ground, in the rear of
the position occupied by our troops.
I could see all that was going on by
hoisting my head above the top of the
bank, but when heard a she'll coming
our way I hastily dropped below the
bank. A drum major Of one of the
Vermont regiments in our division
stood during the whole cannonade in q
very exposed position, upon an eleva-
ton across the road in the rear, as
calmly as though viewing a game of
baseball.
Frequently shells would burst near
us, throwing up clouds of sand and
dust During the hottest of the fire
one of these missiles struck upon
strip of barren sand, about forty rods
to our right. Being very heavy
shell, the conclusion was exception
ally loud and drew the attention of
all in that direction. As soon as the
dust cleared away boy in blue picked
himself up from the ground and passed
along as unconcernedly as though
walking beat This being the first
seen of the man, it looked as if he had
been thrown from the Confederate
works in the shell, and elected vocifer-
Gus cheers from all along the lines
ELIzADETHTowN, Y.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03

But soon ga change comes over the
aspect of the scene," and some were
seen taking up double-quick for the
brush; some marked common time, but
yelled "New York" for dear life; others
stuck their fingers down their throats
mot quite to the elbow and tried to
get out what they had just been put
ting in with so much enthusiasm.
Some Went to the hospital, and others
borrowed pen and paper and COM
menced making their wills. A few
more hardened victims simply swore
and longed for an opportunity to feed
some of the "Johnnies" on those hot
biscuits. The -four was sick -four, and
it was long time before we heard the
last of our hot biscuits.
CoLEsBURG, Mo.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03

Pistols were drawn twice last night and to-flav
In the town, but in each case one party retired
before forcing trouble
Some substantial news fatalities in other
parts OF the territory We're brought in by Deputy
Marshal j. G. Varnum. He said that Martin
Colbart, wealthy resident of the Chickesaw
Nation. WAS shot and killed over on the eastern
border by a man named Nolant, who escaped.
Fourteen miles west of Oklahoma City man
named Martin was found by Il patrol industri-
ously building u sod house. A few yards dis
tant u man lay shot through the body and dead.
Martin said that he had left his family on the
southern border and had run his horse to the
claims he had in mind He had found it occu-
bushes. aud i'll a quarrel had killed him. The
dead man could not be identified The patrol and
Martin buried him, without box or shroud, in
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
Poor Provisions Against Trouble.

POOE PEOvl0lOn6 Against 1TOUOl0s
A Guthrie special of the 23d says: II
ever the government opened the way to
trouble and difficulties, this has been the
time. No town was ever built under
greater difficulties, nor SO quickly, nor
have there ever been SO many disappointed
in SO short time. The anticipated blood
shed over quarter sections will not be re-
corded, as the farmers seem disposed to
peaceably adjust all difficulties, and when
they find one quarter section occupied
move on until they find another. But here
in Guthrie all is confusion. and the feel
ing that an imposition has been practiced
grows stronger and stronger, and the Bit
terness is now intense as the full import
Of the action of the government officials
becomes better understood. The unau-
thorized and unwarranted settlement of
the best portion of this town by govern
ment officials and others has complicated
the situation, although no feasible plan
has yet been proposed by which they can
be ousted from their possession. The
choice portions of the town were staked
out Sunday night, and by l o'clock Mon
day they were token possession of. Among
those VINO took F'rt in these proceedings
were United States Marshals Jones and
Needles, with at st fifty deputies each;
United States Attorney Waldron, United
States Commissioner Galloway, Register
Ollie, Judge Guthrie. of Topeka; District
Judge Hiram Dilien and others as promi-
nent. There is no hearsay about it.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
ley. Reference to entry books show that his
name was probably c. Y Land.
BOUND TO HAVE HOMES.

Disappointed Boomers Resolve to Invade
the Cherokee Strip.
[Arkansas City (kan.) telegram
A meeting Of Oklahoma boomers, disappoint-
ed in securing claims in the Territory was held
here. There was large and enthusiastic at
tendance. Speeches were made denouncing the
manner in which Oklahoma was settled. It
was freely declared that large bodies Of
men served as United States Marshals in
order to get into the country and select
the best claims, and that this was unfair to
law-abiding settlers. They came here to secure
homes, and as they could not get them in Okla
homa they were going to have them in the
Cherokee strip. About Ave hundred men in
this town have pledged themselves to go to the
quences be what they may. There is
back here from Oklahoma, and awaiting in the
territory the first chance to get out, that must
be relieved The baffied settlers are earnest and
undismayed. They will execute their purpose.
The troops in this region, fortunately, are in
command Of Capt. Jack Hayes, an old frontiers
man and cool and discreet officer. There is,
nevertheless, going to be great turmoil on the
Cherokee strip unless the government at Wash
ton interferes.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03

g:aphic reports from department inspectors sta
TONED at Guthrie, Oklahoma and Arkansas City,
Kan The former says: Everything quiet here;
good class Of people in charge Of affairs.
Guthrie land office in full operation. Kingisher
town site question quietly and await legislation
to perfect their titles. There is absolutely no
ground for administrator, uneasiness pub
lie meeting held was orderly and conserva-
tive in character us it would be in New York"
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
The Cherokee strip to Be Seized.

A scheme has been developed, of great
importance. 1t is every day becoming
more apparent that the lands of Oklahoma
will be insufficient for the people who will
90 to claim it. AS consequence there
have been organized bands, or companies,
the members of which are sworn to pro-
tect their fellows. The leaders of the
companies have agreed that if any consid-
cradle portion of them fail to get places in
Oklahoma, they will league together and
take possession Of the Cherokee strip.
They will have 10000 determined men,
desperate from failure of cherished plans.
driving the stock out of the strip and
holding down claims. The hope OF the
men who have this desperate enterprise is
to have so many people in the strip in so
short time that it will be thought better
to leave them than attempt to drive them
out.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
HENRY NJ. STANLEY, before starting

on his present journey to Africa,
placed all of his literary effects i'll the
hands of Mrs. French Sheldon, of New
York, who has long been one of his
best friends. The last letter which
was received from him in this country
was addressed to her, and contained
some final instructions concerning his
correspondence, which were written
with the idea that he might never
rat11rn
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
Dutch,nan and Prisoner.
BY ARTHUR aAurH1ER.

T the break
ing out of
the war I en-
listed with, a
Dutch neigh
Dor and we
were s o o n
'puton picket
d u t y t O.
BeGner. Inc
officer of the
guard find
i n g t h g
Du an
utterly igno-
rant of the
ordinary du-
til es Of q
,
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03

remedy the rascally conduct OF the Federal nn-
thorit;es and their favorities until the courts
HAT controversies must occur that it was easy
enough to stop rumors Of bloody collisions.
The report was sent out last night that three
utterly false. phe story finally settled down to
one MAN killed and the names and location
were given. The correspondent rode over to the
found that the two men had divided the dis
puted claim and were sleeping i'll the same tent.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03

INFORMATION from
Guthrie, 1. T., of the
23d inst, is to the ef-
feet that that town
is plunged in SEEM
ing1y inextricable
confusion, a state of
affairs that pertains
throughout the en-
tire Oklahoma coun-
try. The differences
Of rival factions that
seek to control the
town have bafhed the
efforts of half a dozen
public meetings to
settle them. The ex-
oitop,ont 10 Mt yorv
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
BY WI. v. BROWN.

Y old comrade
has been tell
ing how W e
lostour Christ
\mas dinner,
land it reminds
me of the time
we had a spe-
cialNewYear's
breakfast.
Oh, the days when
I was hard up
For the want Of
food and fire,
I used to tie my
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
Plenty of on,ce-seekers OH Hand.

Candidates for city offices are canvassing
Guthrie and other towns for votes About
twenty-five men are anxious to serve Guthrie as
it's first mayor. Prominent among these is an
Illinois man who is well-known throughout the
State Gen. Jasper N. Reece Tom Needles, the
fair way to obtain recognition of her greatness.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03

Ss.rAyHEHD Ill IL u Oh u IL
Usually had, which might show
Or irritation, but not neces-
a bad heart. There were
Eases which showed deliber-
helty-which could not be &C
for by anything short of bad
a malignant disposition in the
authority. Three such other
les | am about to relate. They
e a few Of the acts of dis
bed General upon the Union
bill living; and very many will
ze him at once in these Incl
without any locality or name
stated. The first two were re-
me by one of his staff officers,
IS personally cognizant of the
nd l believe that he can be de-
upon to state them correctly.
RI one was so notorious at the
pd is still so we'll remembered,
explanation of the source from
I comes will be needed.
department. which was at the
der the command of this Major
there was a brave volunteer
pt that had served at least two
nd in which there happened to
eancy at the head Instead If
he place by promotion, as al
ould be done, the Governor of
te from which the regiment
Ps persuaded to commission a
man as Colonel who had just
ed at West Point. This prob
to some feeling in the regi-
pa was the beginning of the
that followed.
Young Colonel assumed COM
Pth lofty idea of his own i'm
2; and one of his first orders
|equire all the officers to attend
parters at a certain hour twice
Tor tactical instruction in the
D1 the company and battalion.
fder was not only unnecessary
absurd. These officers had
tlylearned their duties by long
and it was something in the
an insult for their regimental
da al to treat them like mere
All were indignant over it;
1ierred together, and agreed
0ssent not to obey the order.
OF course, they were wrong.
have been better for them to
? this folly and injustice until
"a right themselves by proper
.atlons in the right quarter.
1lsobedience placed a weapon
hds OF their Colonel which he
SLOW to use. He preferred
against all of them; all were
oaled, convicted of "disobedi-
orders and conduct to the
OF good order and military
and each was sentenced to
red.
foceedings came before the
commanding the department,
lie approved the proceed
sentences, and declared in his
these men had ceased to be
the volunteer army of the
y nothing had been done be-
stern military law called
the department COM
ow set his wits work to de-
''eme by which these men
inundated, in addition to
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
How Kingfi.her Was Settled.

Kin gfsher is grown town already, ex-
cept that the titles are somewhat in dis
pute. Chicago avenue is half mile long.
Not the slightest trouble of any kind has
occurred, though in many instances there
are several claimants to one town lot.
Homesteads are occupied in all directions.
Capt. Woodson gave the settlers under
his dire ction fair start on the line at
noon of the 22nd. The horseback men
dashed recklessly across the prairie, the
wagons and carriages following in haste
and confusion. The first arrival at King
fisher was w. B. Guthrie, from Custer
county, Neb. He rode slim bay mare
and covered the twenty-five miles in one
hour and three quarters. Not twenty feet
behind him was w. C. Yocum, of Harper,
Kan. The two rode side by side the whole
way. w. H. Donley of Harper and Jerry
Meter Of Leols, came Just behind. They
were after town lots. The greater major
ity of those to whom Capt. Woodson gave
the starting signal, went direct to their
claims. Almost every Kingfsher man
wears six-shooter, and wears it where he
can get it very easily; but ALL are good
humored, and matters will probably be
settled Dy law. The town is spreading
over the whole section.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03

,OTICING in The
LEDGER a few weeks
since an article in re-
gard to the "three
one-legged Jims," and
as the subject was
treated somewhat in
accurately, I would
beg leave to give my
version in regard to
the matter. 1 was &C.
quainted with all
three of them, and one
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
Military Cruelty.
" JAMES FRANKLIN Fits.

HE sketch enti-
t | e d military
Tyranny" pub
lished some time
ago in this series,
does not go so
far as the pres
ent one W ill.
There is such a
thing as an ar
bitrary and un-
just exercise of
the almost des-
potic power, that
the man in COM
n
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03

A CALIFORNIA paper asserts that one
of the tramps of the Santa Cruz chain
gang wears kid gloves whea sweeping
the streets.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
NOW THE GRIEF OF 1T.
INCIDENTS OF THE OKLAHOMA RUSH.
BOTH GRAVE AND GAY.

Guthrie-Palpabie Fraud Practiced-A
Town In . Day-Plots. and Counterplots-
Many Interesting Notes About the Coun-
try and People.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
AND THE GRAY
WHO MET UPON THE
WI ,r1tD OF BATTLE.

~ tho Rebellion-Old
bc sailors Recite Interesting
a,.csnccs of LILO in Camp and on
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
BOOMERS FROZEN OUT.
THE OPENING OF okLAHoMA-sur.
FERlNG FOR NECESSARIES.

The Wild Rush to the New El,l6ra.io-
Hundreds Disappointed and Destitute
A City Without Covering or Provisions,
but Infested with Men Seeking Office.
[Arkansas Citv kan /, s,,acial1
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
The Three one-Lesged Jims.

BY MARTIN B. DAVIS, FIRST VERMONT
ARTILLERY.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
charge at Gettysburg.

charge at Gettysburg.
written from notes furnished
poem as M@ who looked down upon e me
4 General Farnswortn ana one-nitn
el icli, ,,,i1es. drawing the First Texas,
kry tM wa md Fifteenth Alabama Regi-
Alauali..a. ont of position, receiving their
lAtan.i,;s mon Bachman's Battery.]
"HE tremor Of the hills
The skies Of brass no
4 more were crossed
SSl With archery of fire;
The day of death was dy-
SI69 ing out,
E.lSnyA1 Command and cry and
Ht&ESxW victor's shout,
R1f4sSAh And unconsumed de-
YR&{v@ sire.
H&NASs The stubborn Lee still
Behind the torn n d
trampled grain
,,r,,ess banners fell,
Meade stood ON the height
p, ,a. m,I if should speed the night
ms me gates at hell: s
:, sacs on Warren's tower -
0Iow pulses of the hour, 1
e s,p of the foe: W
ehnis-right-L e's-couriers-ride,
|uood- Observation-Disclosures
S'l ds-the-yale-below."
), vay to strike our trains,
Mus 70 the open plains,
doubtful field" $40,
~ horse lies strangely still
W. s,reen of wooded-hill-
rnior's-cuus-are
shot; the bugle blast;
ajlop, charged it becomes ct last,
Elders guns are Loud
the e-sabers-dash"-
walls acknowledgements
p nsI --tllht-rend-a-
roy-i.-trampled- by-the-Bluer-
addened- HORSES gallop-through,
rbty-burst-
s~not-sta t-wood-or-wall,
-the-boIdes t-riders
ike-a-river-freed
Observation-Disclosures
e-fearfu-enfilade
eilens-every-lift
r-columns-wheel."-
sNis-tiercer-th
,e-nath-perished- at-the-Gray;
was-fairer-fray-
r-thrust-of-steel."
tor,iers-now-are- riding-back-
-Nleade-will-att
-the-sunset gun r.
ee-will-waive-his -fighting-chance,
twill r-more-advance.'
t;vsburg-is-wonl
Military Cruelty.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03
MAIL ROUTES IN OKLAHOMA.

The Authorities at Washington Will Prob
ably Open Several.
Second Assistant Postmaster General Whit
ford has under consideration the establishment
of several star mail routes through Oklahoma.
The Secretary OF the Interior has received tele-
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03

.s written from notes furnished
ZEN vas Who looked down upon the
ei' rieSaaral Farnsworth and one-fifth
ere G =, liter riding within the enemy's
u teli, M MILES, drawing the First Texas,
y .wv M and Fifteenth Alabama Regi-
ahali.h =. '. ont of position. receiving their
!nts s,ins upon Bachman's Battery.]
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03

Y y w W
great /
the world
. by the q
time isl
/ and by.
t is a D.
eliness,
Fart at d
ought Of
OF the Z
at will
been d
put the
lille SHIT
netinles
d benisl
and tel
|e veryw4
g utter
IAN &
time, |
|B Six, you]
,tGo,'ao$
p, or rat
| the tfs.t
ali teaeN|
york ami
ld called
School,
erywler|
was LEI
), the q
lningbrN
Irytlling.'
predietid
his colnl
y signs
ming 0.
k'd. Haye
+ey"
The reyis
g tlppr9i
of hisn;
MT tores
knocsi1
stkeep'i
llbued u
en- theL1
were q
GUIDED Vi
b sllepLe.
ublic dc
pe so az
ming bre]
Like Il
should
say, 9
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-10-31

meeting, which was not held. for only four
of the nine directors We're present. The
other five refusing to attend the meetingon
the ground that the vice-president had no
authority to call ii, the president being still
in Office and in the city. Mr.. n. A.
Steadman, the general attorney for the
road, resigned as attorney, saying he
understood the object of the proposed
meeting of the board of directors was the
removal of President Paddock and he was
with him in this fight President Pad
dock, when seen today, said the above
facts were substantially true. He said Some
weeks ago Mr.. Wicker, who is the manager
of the company's business in New
York, wfote me- an insulting let
ter. When he arrived here on
Saturday last asked him to retract the in
suliing language. He persstently refused
to do so and was forced to administer a,
little corporal punishment. Mr.. Wicker
alleges no official misconduct against me
but seeks revenge by endeavoring to injure
me in my business, rather than TO pursue
the more manly course usual in such cases.