Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-04-25
SERIOUS REPORTS.
Murder Over Claim Disputes-In-
dams Threatening.
ALARMING RUMORS PREVALENT.
The Killings at Guthrie and Near Okla
homa City-Railroad Collision
Much Suffering For
Water.

WILLOW SPRINGS, l. T., April pa
prominent man who resides in Atchison,
Kan, who has Just reached this point
from Pur cell, brings news of very start
ling nature, and which goes to show that
the trouble which was predicted weeks
ago has begun. He says that party of
Texans crossed the southern border of
Oklahoma early yesterday morning, over
the South Canadian ford, and at
tempted to take forcible posses
sion of a claim on which a COM
pany of boomers were located. Itwas not
long before both parties resorted to their
firearms, and hot fight followed, which
resulted in the killing of two men and the
wounding of five others. As soon as the
news reached Purcell a large posse of
| United States marshals started for the
scene for the purpose of arresting the
murderers, or killing or driving tneln from
the country.
There are also reports of an uprising of
Indians just outside the borders of Okla
homa caused by the action of boomers.
| 1t is said that scores of men who were I'M
able to secure claims within the borders
of the newly-opened Territory have
squatted on the lands belonging to In
dians and the latter are arming and as
sembIing to drive the invaders off. A
large number of United States troops
have been dispatched to the border to
| quell the trouble. The greatest excite
ment prevails all along the southern and
western lines of Oklahoma, and fears are
freely expressed that scores of lives will
be lost before peace and quiet are re-
stored.
THE KILLINGS AT GUTHRIE.
GUTHRIE l. T., April pa young man
named Comps, who had failed to secure
a lot in Guthrie, filed on a homestead
claim about two miles northwest of the
town late Monday afternoon. He was
accompanied by friend whose name is
unknown. The two had scarcely driven
stakes when a man armed with Win
chester rifle issued from the bushes and
ordered them off. Comps showed fight,
when the man shot him through
the breast The wounded man was
dragged into the timber by his friend
and there died in half an hour. When the
news reached Guthrie posse of thirty
men organized and overlook the murderer
about twelve miles north. He refused to
surrender and was killed at volley.
Reference to the entry books show that
his name was probably c. T. Laud.
Deputy United States Marshal j. G.
Varnum, who arrived here Monday after
noon, says that Martin sColbart, a
wealthy citizen of the Chickasaw Nation,
was killed in a quarrel over claim by
man named Noland.
About fourteen miles west of Oklahoma
City man was found dead on claim.
Another man who gave his name as Mar
tin was sitting about 200 yards from the
dead man, taking matters coolly and quiet
ly. Upon being questioned as to the cause
of the shooting he informed the deputy
that he, a few moments after noon Mon
day, left his wife and children on the
other side of the river and on arriving on
his claim some difficulty occurred, when
he shot the man in self defense.
COLLISION ON THE RAILROAD.
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan, April PA
wrecking train left this city yester-
day morning for Alfred, L T., in re-
Spouse to a telegram. Two trains
collided south of that station-one
a cattle train going north, and
freight bound for Guthrie and loaded with
household goods. Five cars telescoped.
and large number of cattle were killed |
and injured. The engineers and fremen
jumped and saved their lives. Both en-
gines were badly stove up. The wreck |
was caused by the operator falling asleep. |
He had orders to hold the south-bopnd |
train at Alfred, but went to sleep and the |
train went by.
SUFFERING FOB WATER
GUTHRIE, L T. April 24-After four p |
m. Monday and all night there was much |
suffering for water The railroad COM
pany refused to let the settlers take from |
the railroad tank for fear of exhaustion. |
The water in the Cottonwood Is red with |
mud, and a water famine seems imminent
Hawkers went about the depot with |
buckets of water charging five cents
glass The water was poor but found
ready sale. The engineers were besieged
by thirsty people for drinks from the en-
CINE tanks, and many were accommo-
dated. Wild estimates of the number OF
people at Guthrie were telegraphed. A
liberal estimate is 5000.
RoGs-Nominal extremes are put at ss.l9G
49,.