Wichita eagle., 1889-04-24

stalking lots. Anumber of men would get
together and argue that street should
run In a certain direction. Lots would be
staked to face it. Men adjoining would
declare that these fellows had staked
directly in the street and that their lots
faced the street. Thus the greatest con-
fusion reignS and no man knows Tor a
certainty that he has lot. Nevertheless
many SITES were sold. One man paid as
high as 500 for supposed business site.
Trouble is feared over this point, which Is
the only thing that will breed trouble. In
the state of uncertainty every one Is good
natured and hanging on to his Claim
KANSAS CITY. No., April 23-Ine Star
correspondent sends the following to his
paper:
The first homestead filed at Guthrie was
by Mark S. COIN, of Fort Smith, Ark.
The first soldier to file declaratory state
ment was Benton Turner, who was q pri-
vate in company l, Sixth Illinois cavalry.
During yesterday three town sites-Guth-
RE, Oklahoma City and Edmuuds. three
homesteads and 81 soldiers deelaratory
statements, were filed at l2:15. William
johnson, heading the title procession at
the land Office, laid down rough chart of
Guthrie and filed it as town site. This
was the first paper presented.
Four clerks for the land Office from
Washington arrived yesterday, two Tor
Land Register Ollie stated this morn
ing that the Kingfisher land office would
not be open until Thursday.
A WATER FAMINE.
After o'clock yesterday and ali night
there was much suffering for water. The
railroad company refused to let the set
tiers take from the railroad tank for fear
Of exhaustion. The water in the Cotton
ic 70, ma
seems imminent. Hawkers went about
the depot last night with buckets of water
charging cents glass. The water was
poor but found ready sale. The engi-
neers were besieged by thirsty people for
drinks from the engine tanks and many
were accommodated
Up to midnight not quarrel on the
Guthrie town site had occurred. The citi-
zen's O'Clock meeting adjourned to 6.
The great anxiety of every one was in
formation about the size of lots There
was great indignation over the fact that
people had gone on the ground before II
o'clock. and it was the general sentiment
that all such should be singled out and de-
barred. This would throw out many
prominent men. for Judge Clayton, of Ar
kansas, held Guthrie meeting before II
o'clock. There is also great Indignation
over the hundred or more deputy marshals
cloak to get on the ground,
and resigned at noon. They all have a
lot. They are to be singled out and COM
plant lodged against them.
A resolution was adopted to the effect
that every invader should be complained
of and efforts at once made to drive them
out. The feeling is very strong in this
matter. After criers had gone over the
town great crowd gathered on the high
est elevation of the town TO attend the
meeting. Fully 1000 people were present.
Ex-mayOr Constantine was selected to
preside. Addresses were made by half-a-
dozen or more prominent men from differ
ent parts OF the country. and strong feel
ing was manifested against the premature
settlers. which will very likely LEAD to the
forfeiture of their claims. Preliminary
steps were taken toward surveying the
land and laying out the streets of Guthrie,
etc.
Wild estimates of the number of people
at Guthrie were telegraphed last night. A
later estimate is 5000.
A great prairie fire ragged east of the
city last night, and with the camp fires
spread over the city made a beautiful
sight.
A squad of General Merritt's soldiers
guarded the land Office all night.
In view of the scarcity of water one man
last night procured a hogshead which he
filled with water, whisky and syrup, and
did rushing business, selling it for cider
at 10 cents per glass.