The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-17
The Rolling Stock of Railroads
Will Be Taxed to the Utmost.
Trains Into Kansas City Crowded
With Would-be Settlers.
A Unique Figure Makes Himself
Amusingly Conspicuous
AT Kansas City--He Wears a Red, White
and Blue Costume ornamented with
Small American Flags-Payne's
Successor Means Business.

KANSAS Cry, Mo-, April l6.-The
gathering rush of people bound for Okla
homa was very apparent here last night.
Trains from all points were crowded with
would be settlers, and the Santa Fe road
is rushing forward all It's available rolling
stock for use on its Indian Territory
branch. At the head Of one party OF
Missourians at the depot today was man
who would have been considered insane
had II not been for the trust and obedi-
ence he exacted from his rather hardy
followers. He was tall, lank, dressed In
rough worn clothing and had thin,
shrewd face, and scrubby chin whisker.
Over his pantaloons and stuffed in the top
OF his big jack boots he wore a sensational
pair OF overalls, made of bunting stamped
with small American flags. He carried
long, brown rifle OF the ancient but accu-
rate ball aud patch pattern, aud around
his waist were strapped brace Of cannon
callibered navies and large knife The
leaders name was Daniel CENTS, and his
little company had been organized in
Deyis County, Mo. CENTS had visited
Oklahoma a short time ago and returned
last week to escort his friends. The COM
pany was most thoroughly armed and will
certainly frighten the timid and provoke
the bold. When asked II he was looking
for trouble in Oklahoma CENTS said. 81
amt lost any, but I've got somebody else
property in that line"
CENTS explained his tricolor panta.
looms by saying There used TO be- red
legs ON this border and now I'm going 10
show you some rcd, white and blue
legs"
lie and his party are bound for some
secretly located spot west OF Lisbon. They
are but samples OF the character OF persons
who will join in the rush. The land
shark IS on hand. One firm with
flaming banners is selling lots in Oklaho.
ma City, Tex, spot on the map OF the
Fan Handle OF Texas touching the western
tip Of Oklahoma. These so-called lots arc
sold for 81 apiece, with an additional
charge Of II for recording the deed. Next
door another crowd II aying 10 disposo of
lots in the promising c.t Of New dklaho-
ma, said to DE twenty miles south OF the
other, and pretending 20 be ON the pro-
posed line OF railway. Tho tou,ers OF
these two institutions stand at their doors
and roundly denouncc each other as
frauds and imposterA Both manage 10
ply good trade.
Meanwhile the most rigid rules Of ex-
clusion are being maintained In the Terri.
tory. Yet there are ruinors rife that Ger.
tain favored ones have already been per-
mitted 20 enter the tract and are hiding
near Guthrie and other points Of settle.
ment This will bear close Investigation.
Capt Cooper. who, with Capt. Couch,
has Inherited the leadership vacated by
the late origininal boomer" Payne, ar
rived in the city last night 10 arrange for
the prompt movement OF his trains lie
says that he has forty cars al Emporin,
where his branch OF the seli.stylcd Payne
Oklahoma colony Is mllying. lie Is in
clincd 10 be secret about his plans, but
says cmphatically he does not propose 20
bc lett. In reply 10 questions about his
history he said II fint went TO Oklahoma
in 1866 and have ever since longcd 10 set.
tic there. have made several trips there
with Capt PAYNE, but as many times was
driven out by the soldiers. In addition 20
being a pioneer In the Oklahoma moyo-
ment | have been similarly connected
with tho opening Of other sections Of the
West"
The Captain Is in the primo OF life and
is a man OF fine physique, being six feet
two inches tall, straight ~ an arrow aud
weighing over 200 pounds. The EmpOria
Oklahoma colony, OF which Capt Cooper
Is at the head, Is an old organization and
numbers about 10000, Who intend 10 To-
gata around l.ufhrfa gfoftnft