Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-04-25
THE FUN BEGUN.

Crossing the Cherokee Strip-A Conflict
on the Arkansas Border, in which Fou.
Men were KilIed-One Killed and One
Wounded in Kansas-Harry Hill Missin 6
The Oklahoma League Promises In
teresuing Times for Those who Presume
Co Dispute the Claims of Its Members,
ARKANSAS CITY, Kas., April 1S.-The
boomers this morning, at half-past seven
O'Clock, crossed the South Kansas line
and entered the Cherokee Strip. In fifty
five minutes 37S wagons crossed the line.
The wagons continue to roll southwark
from this place, and now as far south as
can be seen rolls an unbroken line of
Whlte-covered wagons. Two soldiers led
the way. On trail twelve miles west a
detachment as large crossed the line last
night. One hundred and thirty-seven
wagons stole past the patrol ana are now
ten miles south. The first man to legally
cross the line was E. W. Morgan, of Kan
sas. The Stars and Stripes were carried
by E. Martin, of Sagamon County, Ill.
Killed on the Border.
FIT. SMITH, Ark, April 1S.-Four men
we're killed on the border of Oklahoma
yesterday. Word was received here last
evening of conflict between parties Of
boomers, cattlemen and Chickasaw po-
lice at the ford at Chisho1m's cattle trail,
forty miles west of Oklahoma City, on the
Canadian river. The cattlemen were TAX
ing several hundred animals from Frank
Colbert's ranch, in the Chickasaw Nation,
to Kansas, but the mounted police guard
ing the northern border of Oklahoma re-
fused to permit them to use the Celebrated
Chisholm trail leading through the new
territory. A fight resulted, in which the
cattlemen were reinforced by party Of
boomers from Cooke and Tanning coun-
ties, Tex. One of the guard, two cattle
men and one boomer named Geiss were
killed in the melee, besides the loss of
some valuable horses. The cattlemen
took the old Abilene trail and went
around through the Cheyenne Reserva-
ton.
One Dead and tho Other Dangerously
Misunderstanding.
WICHITA, Kas., April 19.-The first seri-
Gus ARRAY among the boomers occurred
about ten miles north of Kiowa. Two
boomers claimed a certain quarter Sec
ton, and one, named George Kramer, I'M
dertook to put the other, Charles Heidke,
off the land. Both men drew revolvers,
and Kramer was shot through the head
and instantly killed. Heidke was shot
through the groin and may die.
''Oklahoma" Harry Hill, one of the old
est boomers in Kansas, left for the Terri
tory from this city last Friday and has
not since been heard from. He was ex-
pected to return Sunday, and his disap-
pearance is most mysterious. The las
heard from him was from Purcell. He
left that village Sunday evening, saying
that he would ride over to Oklahoma City.
Monday noon his dog was found shot
through the head. A reward of 5000 has
been offered for his discovery, and this
reward will be greatly increased.
The Oklahoma League and the Law of
'.Mieht Makes Right"
ARKANSAS CITY, Kas., April 19.-If the
bearing and general get-up of the men
who have arrived here thus far go for
any thing, it may be pretty safely as
sumed that Oklahoma, after the opening
days. will be the scene of many bloody
conflicts. The streets of Arkansas City
are filled with men each of whom is
walking arsenal. Every man regards his
neiShbor with distrust, and even the most
peaceably inclined have apparently
thought it essential to their protection to
put on the most staggering and warlike
air possible. Every one that arrives
here and takes in the warlike appearance
of the surroundings begins straightway
to look out for the authorities, and most
well-disposed settlers are Mortified that
in Oklahoma there is scarcely any law
other than that of the strong hand.
That might will constitute right until
legislation can provide law and law
givers for this new territory may be
judged from the fact that already there
has been formed an organization called
the Oklahoma League, whose object is to
protect, by force if necessary, what thew
claim to be their rights. The members Of
this association have all selected their
lands as far back as fifteen years ago,
and they now claim to own them by right
of presumption. These lands they are
prepared to hold against all corners, and
any one daring enough to make counter
claims will have to make them good by a
species of persuasion not known in or
binary cases of land litigation. He will
have to be better shot, not only than
the member Of the league whose tract he
claims, but than all other members also,
who will make their fellow members
fight their own.