Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-03-18
A RAID ON THE BOOMERS.
They Are Driven from the
 Oklahoma Territory.
THEIR HUTs DESTROYED BY FIRE

THEIR HUTS DESTROYED BY FIRE gal Settlers and Are Driving Them Like Sheep to the Kansas Line-Waiting for President Harrison's Proclamation.
 OKLAHOMA CITY, I. T., March lS-Nest- ling quietly on the north bank of the North Canadian river is the boomers Mecca, Okla homa. Saturday morning tine warm sun shone gayly upon the bright new tents of five hundred boomers. To-day not one remains.
 The transformation of Oklahoma from a boomers village into Q soldiers camp wa wrought by the arrival of Lieut.. Carson, of the Fifth cavalry, with detachment of troops and q squad of Indian scouts from Fort Reno. They are driving the set tiers out and burning the houses. They are also burning the prairie grass, and at night the skies are aglow from the red flames which sweep across the levels and dc vour everything before them. Another de tachment of troops is securing the northern part of Oklahoma. The arrival of the mill tary here had been anticipated, and most of the boomers had scattered to the four winds. Some left on the trains, but most of them took to the woods and the adjoining reserva- tions, and when the troops leave these no mads will return to their claims.
 The scouts are flying over the flame lit I'rairies ill pursuit of fugitives along the line of the Santa Fe railway. Somo of the boom CTS still remain at the station, and say they will not leave unless they are taken out by force. Lieut.. Carson warned all without teams or baggage to leave yesterday, and those with teams are notified to start today. All boomers will be rounded up here and marched l20 miles to the Kansas state line The colonizers hardly know what action to take. Groups of men could be seen in all directions hurriedly discussing the situation, but in one hour after the first Indian scouts made their appearance two-thirls of the boomers had silently folded tle.r tents and disappeared Those remaining wired Capt. Couch at Topeka, Kan, asking what they had better do. In his reply he stated that the prospects for the president issuing q proclamation declaring Oklahoma open to settlement were bright and advised them to peaceably quit the country and await the proclamation.
 An old soldier was heard to cxciaim as he stood on the hill watching the flames lick up the last vestige of his possessions: ''I fought four years for the preservation of the Union, but wouldn't fight fifteen minutes again. To be driven off the public domain by the troops of a government which 1 helped to maintain and to perpetuate is too much for me to stand"
 The settlers are very indignant at having their houses burned and their property de stroyed. They attach no blame to Lieut. Car son, who is treating them with all the con- sideration possible under the circumstances He is under orders from the post command ant at Fort Reno, and refuses to state whether or not he is working under new orders from the war depa tment or tho old orders of 1885 It is understood that the instructions of lSS, still rule the situation.
 Advices from Purcell, thirty miles south o here in the Chickasaw Nation, are to the eff feet that the boomers from the south are con centrating there by the~thousand and ar, ready for any kind of move.
 The Pottawatomie country east of here i. also swarming with boomers awaiting some action. It is intimated that 2,OOO people ars camped along the Kansas line, and troops ar, patrolling it day and night to keep the in vaders out of Oklahoma Despite the effort. of the military hundreds of boomers evad, them and steal through during the night company of soldiers is OH its way from For Reno to Arkansas City to relieve the com pany now on duty there and along the lin, of the Santa Fe road. Feed for the soldiers horses has been sent and it is evident tn, regulars will take their time and clear tn, country if possible.
 "Oklahoma" Harry Hill, Payne'S old scout has just passed through this country, ant everywhere met with an enthusiastic recep tion among the boomers. If President liar rison fails to issue a proclamation by April 1 declaring Oklahoma open to settlement Hil will lead the boomers into the country AT engagements have been made with colonies a Arkansas City, Caldwell, Wichita, Omaha Purcell and other points by which they agre to move into the territory upon Hills order They desire to settle the country lawfully and will give the president roasonabl length of time to act, but if he fails to author ize them they will move in by the thousands go on their claims and put ill crops The, think now that President Harrison is influ enced by the cattle barons, who are tryin to delay the opening until the Cheroke strip is purchased from the Indians Tn boomers have no faith in the immediate Dur chase of the Cherokee strip They believe i to be only pretext for one or two years delay.
 It is hard to tell how long the wanderer who are here will be able to hold out, as the will not dare to shoot game, for fear tn noise will attract the attention of the sol diers. It Is said that the settlers of Dee Fort will not depart except by force an trouble is likely to ensue. Every thing is a fever heat, and it is hard telling what to-mo, row will bring forth.
 Tho Fall River Strike.
 FALL RIVER, Mass, March IS.-There is Il change in the strike situation to-day, an every mill is shut down, as many operator desired to participate in the St Patrick's da celebration. Most of the mills will resum again tomorrow morning, although soma wi