The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-05-02
OKLAHOMA.
Drift of Events in the New Territory.
Smallpox Excitement.


Smallpox Excitement.
ARKANSAS C1TY, April PA smallpox
epidemic now threatens Guthrie and
other towns in the new territory of Okla
homa. 1t seems that Joseph Ellsworth
from Leadville, was taken down Wednes
day on his return here from Guthrie and
Oklahoma City and is now quarantined at
a house near the Santa Fe railroad shops.
It is reported this man stood
in line at the land Office at Guthrie
four hours while waiting to file his
claim on Tuesday, thus exposing all those
with whom he came in contacts AS the
trains are crowded every day between Ar
kansas City, Guthrie, Oklahoma City and
Purcell, the disease may have already
spread to these towns, and the people are
anticipating an epidemic. The first out
break will result in nearly depopulating
these embryo cities in Oklahoma. Doc
tor Moore, of Arkansas City, who is at
tending Ellsworth, says it is a genuine
case of smallpox, and people are excited
over the matter, although the officials say
they can keep it from spreading. There
is serious talk of establishing quarantine
against the Oklahoma region, as they have
dubbed the new territory.
A REGULAR SIMEON.
GUTHRIE, Okla, April PA simeon
swept the desert yesterday and Guthrie is
buried in red dust, tents collapsed, roofs
were raised, and everything light and
loose was blown away. There are now
four cities included in this camp, north,
south and west Guthrie and Guthrie pro-
per. The latter covers the 800 acres sup
posed to have been set apart for town
purposes, and include the depot, post
office and laud Office about which the
heart of the city may be said to pulsate.
The others circumscribe this point with
tents and blankets.
These have already elected their mayors
and board of aldermen, but Guthrie is
still in the throes of selection. Gambling
fourishes openly. There are wheels of
fortune, chuck-a-luok, layouts and Spanish
monte tables everywhere out of doors,
while under tents faro, roulette and other
games are holding out to big business.
It has been the salvation of Guthrie that
whisky was not admitted, and it is to this
wise exclusion that little violence is due.
Needles and Jones, the two marsba|s
who hold authority, have left Guthrie.
Commissioner Stockslager's declaration
that he would forfeit the claims of all
United States employees is regarded with
suspicion, as it is now generally under
stood that the deputies were not sworn in,
and the other hired gobblers are not
technically in the federal service.
1t is decided that the government will
declare the forfeiture of the claims of all
persons irrespective of employment, who
were in the Oklahoma land before Monday
noon.
Settling upon Cherokee strip is increas-
ing in volume. Many camps are visible
from the railroads and boomers ct the
station declare that it is their purpose to
squat here. Flowing and planting is well
under way at numerous points. The
troops have not yet moved. Captain Jack
Hays has sent out couriers to give the
squatters three days notice to quit the
strip. He is much beloved by the settlers
lOE UuO iuoAudubblDlo hluuhCbo hO hoo
shown them in the march down and the
practical help he gave them. He is the
man of all men to peacefully settle the
impending controversy if it can b. settled.
DISPATCH FROM GENERAL MERRITT.
WAsH1A GToN, April 27.-The following
, telegram was received at the war depart
ment this AFTERNOON:
CHICAGO, April 81, 18s9.-To the AID
jutsnt-general United States of America,
Washington, D. G: The following tele.
gram, dstei Fremont, Cal, yesterday, is
res pectiully repeated:
"Have Just returned from Kingfsher
found everything quiet and orderly there
About 200 homestead claims have been
filed and large numbers are waiting to
make entry. Reports of bloodshed are
without foundation in all our territory, 60
far as we can discover. There have been
cases of violence reported, but
in no single instance has in.
vestigation resulted in the confirmation
of there reports. In cases where differ.
ent claimants contest for quarter sec
tions the matter is compromised or left
for final adjustment by proper authority
am thus explicit because Kansas news