Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-03-28
SERIOUS TROUBLE.
Grave Fears Over the Rush to
Oklahoma.
BLOODSRED ALMOST UNAVOIDABLE.
Cattiemen Hurrying to Secure Their Stock
"A Young Swede Shot Over a Claim
Streams of Emigrants on the Way
Excitement Intense.


"A Young Swede Shot Over Claim
Streams of Emigrants on the Way
Excitement Intense.
WASHINGTON, March 2S-The proclama-
ton opening Oklahoma to settlement
within thirty days was signed by the
President yesterday. Western Senators
and members of Congress say that its is
sue will serve as sort of safety valve for
the excited conditions nov existing on the
borders of the Promised Land. 1t is
feared, however, that when the thirty
days is over the rush for the land will be
so great that serious trouble will ensue, and
miniature rebellion spring up. Two land
offices for the use of the settlers have been
established, one at Guthrie and ike other at
Kingfsher stage station. The latter is
about the point where the Rock Island ex-
tension is expected to cross the stage
road. At each of these places quarter
section of land was reserved for the Gov
eminent for the establishment of the land
offices. This was done so as to make it
apparent that the Government was in no
way favoring the two towns mentioned.
These two towns have been started by
syndicates, and the land office locations
are not so far away as to do any particu-
lar harm to either of them. The ques-
ton OF appointment to the Negotiat-
ing Commission has caused some little
discussion, but it seems about settled
between five men. j. Otis Humphrey, of
Sprin gfield, ILL.,, it is said, has been Sc
lected and ex-Congressman William
Warner is considered out of the race. The
Eastern selection lies between ex-Gov-
ernor Long and Ex-Governor Robinson, of
Massachusetts,, and the Western section
between Governor Throckmorton, of
Texas, and Ex-Governor Wilson, of Ar
kansas. The selection will be made this
week and the nominations made before
the Senate adjourns. Perkins, of Kansas,
says the Commission will consist of Long,
Humphrey and Throckmorton. The pay
will amount to nearly 5000.
BOOMERS GO WILD.
OKLAHOMA, March 2S-When the news
of the issuance of the proclamation OPEN
ing the country was received the 'boom-
ers" went wild and showed their Joy in
every conceivable manner, some even
bursting into tears. At Guthrie where
one of the land offices has been located,
men and women swarmed out of their hid
ing places in the woods and up to the
trains to get confirmation of the report.
In their impotence some proposed enter
ing on claims at once ito get in spring
crops" but the wiser counseled waiting
until April %.
That there will be warfare and blood
shed during the early DAYS of the Settle
ment cannot be doubted. The men who
have been waiting for the opening for
years claim right to the lands they have
staked off. which the new corners will not
acknowledge, taking the ground that to
the first one who files belongs the spoils.
For miles around Oklahoma and Guthrie,
and indeed at every station on the rail-
roads, claims have been staked out, there
being as many as half a dozen claimants
to as many quarters. and in many cases
parties of boomers" from the same neigh
borhood have banded themselves together
for self-protection and to prevent claim
jumping.
EXCITEMENT AT FEVER HEAT.
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan, March 2S-Okla-
homa excitement is at fever heat and the
rush to this city is astonishing The river
banks surrounding the city are covered
with tents, while the stream of prairie
employees of the post-office are kept busy
night and day handling the increased
mails and although the postmaster has
employed several extra clerks the work is
still behind and yesterday he wired the
department for authority to employ adj
ditional help. Passenger travel and
freight business in the last thirty days has
increased over 100 per cent. on the Terri
tory and Gulf line of the Atchison, Topeka
& Santa Fe.
At Guthrie, Oklahoma. where one of the
land offices has been located, the joy was
unlimited yesterday. Men and women
came tearing up to the depot, rushing out
of the woods and bushes, where they had
been in hiding so many weary weeks
awaiting the proclamation. Some Of the
more impatient wished to rush off at once
and "get in spring crop" as they ex-
pressed il, but acting on the advice of
others who were more law biding and
the warning of several leaders that were
present, they all agreed to quietly wait.
THEY SANG AND YELLED.
WICHITA, Kan, March 1S-The long
looked for proclamation was received here
with demonstrations of joy and delight.
Cannons were fired, flags waved and
meetings held at night The same re-
joicing prevails over South ern Kansas.
At Oklahoma station the news was re-
ceiyed with the widest enthusiasm. Men
were there who had waited for en- years
for the opening of Oklahoma, an to them
the procla nation meant the realization of
their fondest hopes. They sang,
yelled, cried, wept and embraced
each other in their excite ment
Claims are being rapidly taken up, and
already rows and fights have occurred A
Young Swede from Cold Harbor, Harper
County, Kan, was brought to the sta
ton badly shot, it is said, in contest over
a claim twenty five miles west of the
station. They brought him on a train to
Arkansas City where be is dying. Efforts
are being made to suppress the real cause
of the shooting. Some of the would-be
settlers have already sold rights for 500.
The county is still full of men, but they
are fleeing at the reported arrival of SOL
diers and the publishing by Colonel
Somers of the new orders from Washing
ton.
The excitement at Purcell is too intense.
The cattlemen are hurrying into Okla
honaa to remove stock and property, fear
ing their destruction by the boomers.
Their friends are afraid of conflicts be-
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