The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-04-26
The Egis and Intelligencer
FREDERICK W. BAKER, editor.
The Oklahoma Boom.

The oklahoma Boom.
In accordance with the Presidents procla-
nation the new territory of Oklahoma was
thrown open to settlers on Monday. For
weeks beforehand thousands of persons were
encamped around the borders of the promis
ed land, awaiting the time when they would
be allowed to cross the line. The rush was
something wonderful. Train after train
poured its motley crowd OF land hunters,
gamblers and desperadoes into the territory,
and others who came in wagons mounted
their fastest horses, at the boundary line, and
began a wild race for lands previously locit
ed by them.
The city of Guthrie, in the new territory,
has had the most rapid growth, perhaps, of
any place in the world On Sunday it was
virgin soil. On Monday, before noon, it had
10000 citizens, daily newspaper and ma
tional bank. An election for mayor and
other officers was held at four O'Clock in the
afternoon.
The affairs Of the new city are in dire con-
fusion, rival factions seeking TO control the
town Great distress exists from the want
ofsuflicient food, water and shelter. Thou
sands have fled to tho country but other
thousands are pouring in. A correspondent
says
1.-THE sight at Guthrie, upon which the sun
rose this morning, was probably never before
witnessed in the history of the world. The
majority of $4,000 people lay blanketless
upon the ground, others guarding their
nlo nd iur nb1rin Nub hnty 1,ol Col
from fatigue. Upon the depot platform they
lay as close as corded wood and in the few
tents they crowded in huddled masses. AS
many as could took the meagre shelter al.
forded, but there quickly came limit TO Ca
pacity beyond which neither tears nor bride
would prevail Among the thousands stretch
ed upon the ground many of them were of
respectable quality.
Those who could not sleep land they were
legion) in the singing cold crouched in
groups swearing or weeping as suited their
spirit. The sun fairly leaped out Of the sky
and within two hours cold had been supplant-
ed with Sahara heat. The wind rose, but
without cooling effect. 1t blew hot sirocco
that scorched the flesh and filled the air with
binding alkali dust. The climate provoked
Unsuitable thirst and water was the first sup
ply to fail. 1t was sold at five cents per
glass.
1.-THE railroad seems to be completely pros
tratsd and does not deliver the baggage of the
suffering throng. Pneumonia and sun-stroke
are beginning to claim their victims but the
sick have neither refuge nor sympathy. The
whole scene, in its countless varieties and
painful details, is simply indescribabe
Here stands big city out of doors and
without supplies. Only one train left over
the crippled railroad, and it was crowded be.
yond additional space for u mouse on the
floor or sparrow on the roof"
1t was feared that much bloOdshed would
ensue over rival claims to quarter sections
of land, but thanks to the vigilance and de
termination Of the United States troops,
many Of the boomers Were disarmed and
very few disturbances occurred.
Oklahoma is in the heart of Indian ter
ritorY. fifty miles west of Kansas and is
bounded on the east, south and west by land
occupied by Indian tribes, some of which are
civilized. The Cherokees, for instance, have
governor, a Legislature and State officers,
churches and public schools Oklahoma
contains about 100000 acres ofland, which,
II divided into tracts of 100 acres each, would
only accommodate about 10000 or II 900
farmers and their families Those who
have gone there expecting to be able to take
up lands are far in excess of that number The
region opened up is said to be not as fertile
MS other parts of Indian territory and is much
more subject to drought. Doubtless many
who have joined in the rush will be bitterly
disappointed.
The opening of Oklahoma will be an enter
ing wedge, no doubt, to the whole of the In
dian Territory, which the government will
probably purchase from the Indian tribes
who hold it, and open it up to white settlers.
Oklahoma City is another new town sud
denly sprung into existence. A lot of United
States marshals, VINO were allowed to enter
the territory, for the purpose of preserving
order, laid out the town Sunday night and
Monday morning, appropriatng the best lots
for themselves. When the crowd came there
was nothing left worth having, and they went
farther into the country and staked out town
lots.