The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-04-25
q z. to-day 13 and sendsthe following

Ca.y SO-uay, ana SENDS the following
TO his paper:
The first homestead fled at Guthrie
was Mark s. Cohn of Fort Smith, Ar
kansas. The first soldier to file de-
claratory statement was Benton Tur-
ner, who was q private in company / !,
Sixth Illinois cavalry. During yester-
day three townsites, Guthrie, Okla
homa City and Edmunds, three home
SGeads and twenty-one soldiers declar-
atory statements were filed. At 12:15
VIM. johnson, heading the little pro-
ceSsion at the land Office, laid down a
rough chart of Guthrie and filed it as
TOWNSHIP. This was the first paper
presented. Four clerks for the land
offices, from Washington, arrived yes
terday, two for Kingfisher and two
here. Land Register Ollie stated this
morning that the Kingfisher land Office
would not be open until Thursday.
About O'Clock yesterday evening
pistol report across the Cottonwood
creek west of the depot outside of the
town site reserve attracted attention.
In moment a man on horseback went
west over the hill at a breakneck
speed. Two deputy United States mar
shalS went over, but were told that
nothing had occurred. A Star repre-
sentative got a boat and crossed the
stream, however, to investigate. In
the bushes were collected half q dozen
men. On the ground and beside a half
made grave was stretched all that was
left of A. T. Comps. A ball from a
revolver had passed entirely through
his breast, coming out of the back. He
lived half an hour after being shot and
was dead when Star reporter reached
him. Efforts were made to conceal the
body and only an assurance of the
strictest confidence allowed the re-
porter there, and then he did
not dare reveal his business.
The face was at once recognized as
that Of a man who had eaten dinner
with the scribe. There, Comps said
ne and his partner had entered Guthrie
gone and they then swan the Cotton
wood and had staked a claim. AS they
we're driving the last stakes, fellow
was discovered in the bushes on the
bank of the creek. The man said he
had alreSdy stakeo the claim. Comps
and his partner offered to divide. To
this the fellow objected and warned
them he would shoot before he would
divide, Comps did not believe this
threat and as he left the meal tent he
said he should sleep on the claim. Half
an hour afterwards Comps was shot
by the first claimant as he stood by his
pony bride in hand. His murderer
got away before Comps companion
could realize what had been done. Be-
lieving secrecy the easiest way out,
Compis' partner dragged the dying man
into the bushes and said no one had
been hurt. He would not give his name
and the popularity of the situation
prevented a searching inquiry. The
old and had black hair and
eyes and when he left the
eating tent he wore gray flannel
shirt, boots and pants, and had his
coat strapped to his pony. Comps
companion took possession of the muir
derer's outfit, wagon and two horses.
The man will never return, as he knew
his shot was fatal. The body was
buried in the bushes. This WAS the
only murder near Guthrie up to mid
night, despite other reports.
After o'clock yesterday and all
night there was much suffering for
want of water. The railroad COM
pany refused to let the settlers take
from the railroad tank for fear of eX-
hauStion. The water in the Cotton
wood is red with mud and water
famine seems imminent. Hawkers
went about the depot last night with
buckets of water, charging five cents a
glass. The water was poor, but found
a ready sale. The engineers were be-
seiged by thirsty people for drinks from
the engine tanks, and many were ac-
commOdated. Up to midnight not a
| quarrel on the Guthrie townsite had
occurred. The great anxiety of every
one was information about the size of
lots. There was great indignation
over the fact that people had gone on
the ground before II o'clock, and the
sentiment was that all such should be
/ afnnl06 6KIIt aUd dnhorro6 This NunVIl6
throw out many prominent business
men for Judge Clayton of Arkansas,
among others, held Guthrie meeting
before II o'clock. There is also great
Indignation over the hundred or more
| deputy marshalls who used their au-
thority as such to get on the ground and
resigned at noon. They all have lot.
They are to be singled ont and a COM
| plant lodged against them. A resolu-
every invader should be complained of
and efforts at once made
to drive them out. Feeling is
very strong in this matter. After
crIers had gone over the town great
crowd gathared on the highest eleva-
ton of the town to attend the meeting.
Fully two Thousand persons were pres
ent. Ex-Mayor Constantine was Sc
! lected TO preside. Addresses were
1
nent men from different parts of the
country and a strong feeling was man.
ifested against the premature settlers
which will very likely lead to the for
fixture of their claims. Preliminary
steps were taken toward survey
ing the land and laying out the streets
of Guthrie, etc.
GUTHRIE. April 23.-Wild estimates
of the number of people at Guthrie
were telegraphed last night. A later
estimate Is six thousand. There were
many amusing scenes while stalking
lots. A number of men
would get together and agree
that street should run
in a certain direction lots would bE
staked to, men adjoining would declare
these fellows had staked directly in the
| street and that their lots faced the
street. Thus the greatest confusion
reigned and no man knows for a Ger.
tainty that he has a lot; nevertheless
many sites were sold, one man paying
as high as 800 for q supposed business
site. Trouble is feared over this point
which is the only thing that will breed
trouble. In the state of uncertainty
everyone is good natured and hanging
OH to his claim.
PRAIRIE FIRES.
GUTHRIE, April pa great prairie
fire ragged east of the city last night
and with the camp fires spread ovel
the city made beautiful sight. A
squad of General MerTitt's soldier
guarded the land Office ali night. Ii
view of the scarcity of water, one maj
last night procvred a hogshead, which
he flied with water, whisky and syrup
and did rushing business, selling i
at ten cents per glass.
/
The DanEark Saved.
II PHILADELPHIA Pa April % -Th