The morning news., 1889-04-24

Ieeilng was manifested against the prema-
ture settlers, which will very likely lead to
the forfeiture of their claims. Preliminary
steps we're taken toward surveying the
land and laying out the streets of Guthrie,
etc"
The following special has been received
by the Kansas City Times from King
Fisher, having been sent to Fort Reno by
courier: King Fisher is town already,
except that the titles are somewhat in dis
pute and no town officers are yet elected.
Chicago avenue is half mile long.
TRANSPORTATION OFFICERS.
The officers of the Rock Island railroad,
the Cannon Ball stage line, and other cor
porations are in one building which is a
canvas tent 10 feet by H. Not the slightest
trouble of any kind has occurred, though
in many instances there are several claim
ants to one town lot. Home
steads are occupied in all direc-
tlons majority of those to
whom Capt. Woodson gave the starting
signal, went direct to their claims. Many
passed through here southwark last night.
Almost every King Fisherman carries a six
shooter, but all are good-humored and mat
ters will probably be settled by law The
town is spreading over the whole section.
Accounts from the line say that the start
from there was an exciting spectacle. The
line was formed at 10 o'clock and was ten
miles long. Capt Wooison's management
was perfect. At the signal the noise that
burst forth was terrifi:. Wagons were
broken in the rush and others broke down
in the guilies and sharp turns in the road,
and all the way from here to the line the
road is strewn with wrecks. A few gam
blers have arrived and two lawyer signs are
up. Rock Island" which is the crack
hostelry, is full Of guests.
THE PREMATURE MEETING.
GUTHRIE, OKLAHOMA, April 2S.-In de-
fiance of the fact that 10 town was
supposed to exist until noon yesterday, sew
eral handred interlopers held an organiza-
ton meeting at 10 O'clock. H. A. Pierce,
one Of the Topeka crowd, secured
the presidency, but when he tried
to fois5 his plat upon the meeting
he was beaten amid cries of Down
with the Topeka outfit" The railway runs
southwestly past the town, and it was pro-
posed to lay out streets on direct angles
with the track, but a plat with north and
south, and east and west sections was
adopted
PROPOSED BY CLAYToN's TWIN BROTHER
This was proposed by George H. Clayton
Of Arkansas, a brother of Powell CLAYTON
and twin of the lately assassiuated congress
slonal candidate. 1t was decided that a
town lot shall be 30 by 140 feet, and that
the streets shall be 30 feet wide, except two
100 feet intersecting avenues, which were
named respectively Munford avenue, for
DR.. Munford of Kansas CITY, and Harrison
avenue for the President.
THE WHOLE SITE HoMEsTEADED.
Meanwhile, tho whole town site was
homesteaded repeatedly. Forty applica
biOus under this right of public domain
were filed at the laud office and some very
beautifully complicated law suits will fol
low. 1t looks only fair that those who were
here In advance of the authorized hour and
who grabbed the land for the corporation
that backs them, should be disposSessed and
the whole town site placed in fair and even
reach of all
POOR PLACE FOR A TOWN.
1t is almost certain, however, that for all
its present prestige, for everything is com
ing to Guthrie. there can never be a town
Of any Importance here. The surrounding
country is sterile, and with the exception
of small pieces of bottom land, can grow
nothing but buffalo grass and cactus The
adjacent stream is small and alkaline, and
we'll water is deep aud scarce. The tenn
perature bounds from blighting cold to
whitening heat, and there are long periods
Of drought and irregular occasions of floods
and hurricanes.
AaCOOhNDo
AS the sun went down, little tents and
unsheltered men dotted a region over an
area large enough for an eastern metropo-
lis. There is covering for about 10, 900 per-
Sons on liberal estimate, and the nights
after the roasting days are actually chilly,
Whether it rains or not great suffering
must be endured by the thousands OF
unsheltered Arkansas City is filled up
with great crowds from northern trains,
that will descend upon Guthrie In the morn
ing. A break out Of here will be sure to be
an event Of the next few days, as there are
many thousands more here than can be sup
Piled with food and shelter. Meanwhile the
rush continues, and the excitement is at a
very high pitch
INEXTRICABLE CONFUSION.
CHICAGO, April ga special to the
Daity Ne10S from Guthrie. Oklahoma,
viz Arkansas City, says: Guthrie is
plunged in seemingly inextricable confu-
sion. The differences of the rival factions
that seek to control the town have batfied
the efforts of half a dozen public meetings
TO settle them. Excitement is at a very
high pitch and confidence is beginning to
waver. The suffering of the $1,000
unshetered and unprovisioned people
is something that could not be endured ex-
cept amid such furoe. The scenes of to-
night and to-day are unexampled. Thous-
auds are fleeing from the town and country,
but thousa nds'more have poured in. There is
q feeling of wild uncertainty and apprehen-
sion that amounts to destruction, There is no
food, no water, no cover for the bitter cold
OF nights, and the withering heat of the
day The railroad is gorged with bust
operative. The town site is
changed every hour by rival parties as
each secures temporary dominance. Not
building has been started and but few more
tents have been reared. Nobody knows
where the streets are, and every one is
Just now yielding all things elss for a clamor
for food, drink and shelter or a means of
fight.
A DISASTROUS WRECK.
ITO complete this tremendous excite
ment, disastrous wreck occurred Just
south Of town during the forenoon. A
freight aud passenger train met heads on
and both engines went iuto the ditch. No
one was hurt, but the track was blockaded
for hours.
Tho sight at Guthrie upon which the
sun rose this morning was probably never
before witnessed 10 any part Of the world.
ma jority of the $1,000 people lay blanket
less upon the ground, others were guarding
their claims aud slumberipg where they
had fallen from fatigue. On the depot
platform they lay as close ns corded wood,
and ia few tents they crowded IN
buddled masses. As many as could took
the meager shelter afforded but there
quickly came limit TO capacity beyond
which neither tears nor bribes would pre-
vail. Among the thousands stretched upon
the ground many Of them were OF q re-