Wichita eagle., 1889-04-18
THE DESCENT ON OKLAHOMA.
disappointment and Trouble Ahead for
Thousands of the Immigrants

From the New York Tribune.
The last scenes in the Oklahoma comedy
are full of incident and action, and public
interest in the performance is steadily
rising. just such situation never ex-
listed anywhere before. Around the ap-
proachable borders of jealousy guarded
territory are gathering from near and far,
singly and in groups, companies and
caravans, multitude of people each Of
whom is intent upon snatching at given
moment the best pieces Of land in sight.
II man could be suspended above the
field Of operations, with power to take a
bird eye view of what lay below him, he
would witness an extraordinary spectacle.
1t would probably resemble the scene
in public hall to which an audience more
numerous than the desirable seats is sud-
denly admitted. Some persons drop into
the nearest vacant places, Others make
bee line fer particular point mentally
chosen in advance; others hurry hither
and thither in an aimless way, being just
too late for their first few choices wherever
they go, and at last find themselves estab-
lished without knowing exactly how,
while some are left wandering up and
down the asles in search of resting
place, and finally drift into the corners or
out again into the cold.
The boomers are descending upon the
territory by diverse methods The Santa
Fe railroad is prepared to transport as
many as apply for passage. The
Rock Island will run line of stages
from its southern terminus into the prom
ised land A band of cowboys are said
to be backing their horses against the
United States cavalry and preparing to
make run for it before the longed-for day
arrives. Two huge RATS will receive as
many settlers us can crowd aboard them
and drift down the swollen bosom of the
Arkansas river to point only seven miles
distant from the border. Boomers, who
have gathered in the vicinity of Caldwell
Kan, from the region north of Oklahoma,
have applied for permission to cross the
Cherokee strip in order that they may not
be caught at a disadvantage on the
glorious 22nd. 1t is understood that this
privilege has been granted, under proper
conditions and by this time. no doubt, Joy
reigns in Caldwell.
The first attempts to break into Okla
homa were natural enough, however I'M
lawful. The territory held out sufficient
inducements TO men of an adventurous
spirit to warrant energetic efforts to be-
come its first settlers; but the rush that
has followed the proclamation which
makes such efforts legal is irrational, and
IN some of its aspects absurd. There is no
reason to suppose that the new domain is
ID SupeTldiINely fruitful, OF Undl Il major
ity of those who are now intent on absorb
ing it are qualified to become pioneers.
Many are leaving more behind than
lies before them, and if the
present anticipations of serious
conflicts between opposing in
terests are realized, not few are destined
to miserable experience. In any case
there is sure to be huge crop of dsap-
pointments this first season. From this dis
lance or indeed from any distance il would
be ridiculous to send advice and warning
Men who are in the mood which charac-
terizes the Oklahoma boomers are not to
be deferred by any consideration except
necessity. and scarcely by that. Moreover,
there is much that is admirable in the
restless, aggressive, independent spirit
which inspires such movements. 1t is the
same spirit, operating under novel condi
tions, which has possessed and civilized
the continent