New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-25
SUFFERING IN GUTHRIE.
A DRINK OF WATER COSTS TEN CENTS.
oUARREIS AMONG TIE COMPANIES OVER THE
LAYING OUT OF THE TowN-FIvE DOLLARS
FOR A MEAL-No HOUSES YET.
tBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRInUsr,

LAYING OUT OF THE TOwN-FIvE DOLLARS
FOR MEAL-No HOUSES YET
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNEf
Arkansas City, Kan, April "a 4 cattle train,
carrying 200 men in the caboose. which left
Guthrie at y. m. yesterday, arrived here to-day
at o'clock in the afternoon. II is the first
train that has reached this point from the South
since yesterday 1rning distance only of eighty
five miles. The road is almost completely blocked
There is yet no difficulty in getting into the
Territory Of Oklahoma but it is more than doubt
ful when ono can get out. People are represented
as vainly attempting to leave Guthrie by train,
and as suffering greatly for want of food and
drink. No wells have been driven yet in the
town. The only water that can be obtained is
got at a muddy creek about mile below the
depot. 1t sells at 81 the bucket or 10 cents a
drink, and requires an excellent set Of teeth and
good digestion to swallow and enjoy it. Food
is scarce Sandwiches are worth % cents apiece.
Any kind of meal is worth all the way from
81 to s.. The hotel tents are doing
an immense business. notwithstanding the
prices they charge. The water tank
of the railroad is guarded by soldiers under orders
to shoot any who attempts to obtain water.
The order seems a cruel one but it is necessary
to preserve the property of the railroad and TO
insure the running Of trains. One engine was laid
up yesterday for several hours for want of water.
The prices Of lots in the town, excepting very
few choice locations, have tumbled with as start.
ling rapidity as they rose Monday One man
offered three lots for five dollars and could find
no takers Some lots could not be given away.
The only building in town IS the land office.
IL is a frame structure containing only one room
All other shelter consists of tents Thousands
sleep in the open air every night
Notwithstanding the great suffering that pre-
penny and without making any preparations
whatever for such an emergency as has now
arisen perfect order prevails. Those who have
succeeded IN leaving town assert boldly that the
PEOPLE left behind are too weak to fight even if
JEey were disposed to do it, IL is
more likely that the presence of four companies
might seek to create n disturbances Three diff
lercnt town-site companies are endeavOrng to
reconcile their difference with regard to the ult-
mate plot of the town. Until that is settled a
man who goes TO sleep at night on his lot front
ing on street is apt 10 wake up in the morn
ing to find it facing an alley. The valuable
corner lot may be turned within the short space
OF twenty-four hours into a lot in the middle
II square, of no particular value; or before he
knows it, the man who imagined ne owned
lot may find it covered by new street All
this contributes TO make people reprcsS thnir
resenments if they have any, until a more
opDortune moment
Water at Oklahoma is plenty There is not
the same suffering at Guthrie, and in fact, there
is lack Of dirt and dust. But the days are hot
the nights cold. and food hard to obtain.