Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-28
A DEADLY DISEASE.
SMALLPOX THRgsTyNs THE IsHABI-
TANTs OF OKLAHOMA.
The Poisonous Waters But Ciroumstsneo
10 the Fear that Ia, Seized Upon
the People.
nv telegraph 70 tho Dlspaich.l

ny telegraph TO the Dispa,ch.l
ARKANSAS CITY, April fla smallpox
epidemic now threatens Guthrie aud other
towns in the new Territory Of Oklahoma.
The excitement caused By a knowledge OF
the brackish, poisonous waters OF the river
Is not n circumstance TO the fear that has
seized upon the minds OF the people IN re-
gard 10 this fell destroyer II seems that
man named Joseph Ellsworth, Of Kansas
City, more recently from Le.dyile, was
| taken Wednesday on his return from Guthrie
aud 0klshcms City, and IL now quarsn,ined
at house near The Santa Fe railroad
shops. IL Is reported that this man
stood In line at the land-ofiice ut Guthrie
for four hours while waiting 10 file his
claim on Tuesday, thus exposing TO attack
all those with whom he came in contact OF
that time. As the trains were crowded
every day between Ark1nsa, City, Guthrie,
Oklahoma City. and Purcell the disease
may have already spread 10 these towns.
People who have heard Of this case are
anticipating an epidemic. The first out~
break Will result IN nearly depopulating
these embryo cities in Oklahoma. DI.
Moore, OF Arkansas city, who is in at
tendance upon Ellsworth, says 1t is genu-
Inc case OF smallpox, and the people are
excited over the matter, although the Off.
Gals say they can undoubtedly keep IL from
spreading. They talk quite seriously Of
establishing quarantine on the Oklahoma
region, as they have dubbed the new Terri
tory.
BURIED N RED SAND.
GUTHRIE, OKLAHOMA, April 27.-A simeon
swept the desert yesterday and Guthrie Is
buried in red dust. The wind rose Mt dawn,
sweeping down from q cioudlcss sky, and
The red send Of the plains wss driven before
it all day IN singing. sitting masses. Tents
collapsed, roofs were raised, and everything
light and loose was blown away. There ere
now five cities included In this camp
North, Souta, East, and West Guthrie and
Guthrie proper. The latter covers 800
acres, supposed to have been set apart for
town purposes, and includes the depot
pOst-oiiice, and land.Ofice, about which the
heart Of the city NAV be said to pulsaie.
The others circumscribe the suburbs with
tents and blankets.
The railroad il slowly issuing from the
snare into which the local traffic has had II.
Though Baggage. provisions, and other sup
plies are being delivered in quantities suill-
cient TO relieve restitution, the service is far
behud the requisites OF comfort. Water -
sull being sold, and it is eXecrable water at
that. Gambling fOuri'hes openly. 1t has
been the salvation Of Guthrie that wliskey
was not admitted, aud IL is 10 this wise ex-
clusion that little violence is due.
Needles and Jones, the two marshas who
hold the authority, have left Guthrie. Com
missioner StocklaEer's declaration that he
would forfeit the claims Of oil United States
EMPLOYEES Is regarded with suspicion, as it
Is now generally understood that the deDu'
ties were not sworn and the other hired
gobblers are not technically in the Federal
service. Ii Is demanded that the Govern
ment declare forfeiture OF the claims OF all
persons, irres pective Of employment, who
were in the Oklahoma tract before Mon
day noon.
Settling upon tho Cherokee strip pro-
crosses in increasing volumes. Many camps
are visible from the railroad, and the boom
crs at the stations declare that It is their
purpose 10 squat there. Painting and
p'oughing is well under way at numerous
points. The troops have not yet been moved.
CAPTAIN Jack Hayes has sent out cOuriors to
give squatters three days notice to quit the
strip. He is much beloved by the settlers
for the ineXhauslible kindness he has shown
them in the march down and the practical
hello he gave them.
WASHINGTON, April 27.-Ths following
Telegram was received at the War Depart
ment to-day from General Merritt, dated
Fort Reno, Indian Territory, yesterday. for
warded through department headquarters at
Chicago Have Just returned from King
Fisher. Found everything quiet and orderly
there About two hundred homestead
claims have been filed, and large numbers
are waiting 10 make entry. The reports OF
bloodshed are without foundation. All over
the Territory. 80 far IS can discover, tnero
have been cases Of violence reported, but In
no SINGLE instance has investigation re-
suited in the confirmation OF these reports.
In cases where different claimants contest
for the same quarter section the matter il
compromised or lett for final adjustment by
the proper authority. am thus expncit be-
cause the Kansas newspapers are reporting
scenes Of bloodsheG. Thee as well as the
reports with reference to th9 invasion OF
the Cherokee strip are, so far as | can dis
cover, without foundation. viii be at Ok
lahoms station
A BATTLE BETWEEN COWBOYS AND SOLDIERS.
ST. LOUIS. April 27.-The Republics
Wichita correspondent telegrsnhs that paper
as follows: out Of many wild rumorS, with
which the border ls fun to-day, is one which
scens to bear clements OF probability. The
report 10 OF an attack on an old soldiers
colony located in the southwestern part Of
oklahoma. II w0s first brought to
Guthrie by a runner to Or. NJ. Inman,
chief OF the colony, who at once left
Guthrie 10 take command. The runner
stated that the fight occurred wednesday
and occupied nearly an hour. The old SOL
diers are located on the Canadian river near
the southern border. Their lands are very
desirable, and 2 number Of cowboys tried
"wednesday TO take them from the settlers.
The COW bows were mounted on feet ponies,
and rode down on the camp evidently with
the intention OF surprising them. The sol-
ders, however were prepared lOr them. The
cowboys rode down the line, firing revolt
vers aud yelling. The Old soldiers began to
use their guns, when the cowboys turned
aud dashed scIOsS the prairie. y Y0ney
from the soldiers brought down Inan aud
horse. The rider OF the lame horse jumped
on the back OF companions horse, and IN
a minute all the cowboys were ont 81 range.
After this the tigbt was after Indian fashion.
The dead and wounded were j. H. Redhcid,
OF Oh CITY. Pa, shot through The heart; VIII
liam Woodwork. Of Quincy, ILL.,, shot IN
the head; Samuel Hertzier, OF Fort wayne,
Ind, two wounds in the left breast; stephen
Denny, Of Paris. Tex, riddled with bullets;
Arson l.. Toyers, of GaliaX Falls, shot IN
tho head; Robert llu,chlus, OF milwaukee,
shot through the left lung; Antoine Crcigh,
seriously wounded.
WASHINGTON NOTES.
Bonds PurcEased-Ciostng the Trea-
m auan