The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-19

mile into the Cherokee strip when q SER
geant from Capt. Hayes galloped across
the plain. His approach was q signal
Tor CONSERVATION among the settlers, for
there was timidity apparent and fear that
the start few moments ahead OF time
would cause the military to turn the BOOM
ers back. Turning to the Kansas City
man, who had assumed the authority for
the early start, the settlers demanded that
he intercede. He explained, and the
Sergeant announced that he bore orders
from Capt. Hayes 10 give the boomers
word TO proceed A shout greeted the or
der, and the long file of wagons along the
Ponca trail again moved. From an eleva-
ton five solid miles OF wagons could be
seen, and as the caravan wound over the
undulating prairie ii presented sight
probably never to be seen again. Every
face beamed with expectant pleasure,
and there was not the slightest disorder.
Perohed on cracker.box in the
first OF ten wagons from Kingman,
Kas., Dan Sykes flung an American
flag TO the breeze. As far as IL could have
been seen it was hailed with patriotic
shouts. This flag was seen two miles
away, For two hours wagons crossed the
strip land and moved slowly toward the
promised land. On the outside OF almost
every wagon, strapped TO the side, were
plows, household goods and farming im.
plements. Extra horses and punches OF
cattle followed the wagons, often driven
by women and children. One farmer had
built house from the bed OF his wagon.
IL was shingled and siovopipe leading
from a modern cook stove made a COM
plete apartment. From the Cherokee
strip line to Salt Creek Fork.is four
teen miles. This fork is swollen out Of
It's stream and crossing 1t Is dangerous
business. A temporary bridge has been
erected, but II is not safe. II is believed
that a majority OF the settlers will camp
tonight beside the stream. Capt. Hayes
broke up Camp Price at noon, and is fol-
lowing with his cavalry. Ills orders are
TO camp tonight on Salt Greek Fork. and
then 10 the line OF the march tomorrow
for the Oklahoma line. Camp will be
struck by the soldiers just across the line,
and Capt. Hayes will picket his men along
the Oklahoma line as far rs they
will reach. His picket line will
be joined by line of soldiers
from Caldwell, and the boomers will
be kept at hey until the hour of noon
arrives. Capt. Hayes this morning set his
watch exactly with the railroad clocks, and
as soon as his watch indicates noon on
Monday, signal will 90 up for the boom.
ers 10 start. The three miles Of road from
the Arkansas River along the Ponca trail
Is in irighiful condition, aud IL was most
discouraging for the settlers But these
men are not made OF the stuff 10 turn
back. Difficulties OF all kinds are met and
A s..t.shIaNf.s N..tt..a
exists aud each renders the others all tlIt
assistance possible. A boomer got stuck
in the mud. Twenty offers Of help wen
volunteered, the wagon was pried from tie
black. sticky mud and the boomer went on
rejoicing
The settlers mean tohelp each other. and
voc 10 the lawles8 settler who attempts q
create disturbance. Capt HAYES, who
has kept the boomers at bay, says he neycI
saw more orderly set OF men and wa,
surprised at IL. lie fully expected an Gle
mcnt that would cause trouble. The In.
dian mission school, half a milo from the
Ponca trail, came in body to witness the
start, and men aud women on horseback
from Arkansas City, gallopcd along th,
line OF wagons and waved their handkor
chiefs 10 the sturdy farmers. Carriages
filed with the elite Of the city were on the
ground 10 witness the start. PROSPECTIVE,
merchants, town-siicrs bankers and spec
ulators will take trains on Monday. Wag
ons from the North continue TO pourin bu
/ In no such numbers as were witnesse,
In thc last three days. Parts Of a wagoI
/ passed under the temporary bridge owe
Salt Creek Fork this morning. and th,
suppositon IS that family OF boomcn
has been lost In the strcam. II Is rcporto,
| that two persons were drowned. las
night police officers were looking for Dan
icl sykes, boomer. His son, $. q. Sykes
had committed suicide at Wichita Dan
icl Sykes is the old farmer who carrie,
the American flag when the boomen
started. lIo has gone 10 Oklahoma ignor
ant OF his sons death. A movement wa
started today to call public meeting Sat
urlay night Of all who propose 10 settle n
or near Guthrie, aud 10 talk over the pro
posed town and formulate means Of procc
/ dure ON Monday.