St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-04-24
CONFLICTING CLAIMS.
Titles to Land in Oklahoma
Are Getting Badly
Mixed UP,
And the Aid of WincheSterS
and Lawyers Will Be
Invoked.
One Man Known to Have Been
Murdered and Other Kill
; ing Reported. ~
Two Young Ladies Enter
Claims Near Kingfisher--
A Lively Day.

KANSAS CITY, April ga CORE
spondent for the Star. who mas been at
Guthrie all night, returned to Arkansas
City to-day and sends the following to
his paper: The hrst homestead filed at
Guthrie was Mark S. Cohn, of Fort
Smith. The first soldier to file
a declaratOry statement was Ben
Company |, Sixth Illinois cavalry. Dur
ing yesterday three town sites, Guthrie,
Oklahoma City and EdmundS, three
hOmeSteadS and tWenty-one soldiers
declaratory statements were filed. At
1915, William Johnson, heading the
little procession at the land office, laid
down rough chart of Guthrie and filed
it as town site. This was the first
paper presented. Four clerks for the
land Offices from Washington, arrived
yesterday, two for Kingfisher and two
here. Land Register Ollie stated this
morning that the Kingfsher land Office
would not be open till Thursday. About
5 O'Clock yesterday evening
A PISTOL REPORT
across the Cottonwood creek, west of
the depot, outside of the town site re-
serve, attrac ted attention. In mo-
ment man on horseback went west
over the hill at breakneck speed. Two
deputy United States marshals went
over, but were told that nothing had oc-
Cured. A correspondent got a boat
and crossed the stream. however, to in
vestigate. In the bushes were collected
half a dozen men. On the ground
and beside half-made grave was
stretched all that was left of S. T..
Compis. A ball from a revolver had
passed entirely through his breast, COM
ing out of the back. He lived half an
hour after being shot, and was dead
when the correspondent reached him.
Efforts were made to conceal the body,
and only an assurance of the strictest
confidence allowed the reporter there.
and then he did not dare reveal his
business. The face was at once
recognized as that of man who had
eaten dinner with the scribe. There
Compis said he and his partner had
entered Guthrie on ponies. All the
lots we're gone, and they swan the
Cottonwood and h ad staked claim. AS
they were driving the last stake, fell
low was discovered in the bushes on
the bank of the creek. This man said
he had already Staked the claim. Com
piS and his partner
OFFERED TO DIVIDE.
To this the fellow objected and
warned them he would shoot before he
would divide. Compis did not believe
this threat, and as he left the meal tent
he said he should sleep on that claim.
Half an hour afterwards COmpis was
shot by the first claimant as he stood by
his pony, bride in hand. His murderer
got away before Compis' COM
paniOn could realize what had
been done. Believing 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
about thirty years old, and had black
hair and eyes. When he left the eating
tent he wore grey flannel shirt, boots
and pants, and had his coat strapped to
to his pony. Compis' companion took
possession of the murderer's outfit of a
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 midnight, despite
other reports. After 4 o'clock yeSter-
day, and all night, there was much suf-
fering for water. The railroad company
refused to let the settlers take from the
railroad tank, for fear of exhaustion.
The water in the Cottonwood is red
with mud, and water famine seems
imminent. Hawkers went about the
depot last night with buckets of water,
charging five cents glass. The water
was poor, but found ready
sale. The engineers were besieged by
thirsty people for drinks from the en-
gine tanks, and many were accommo-
dated. Up to midnight not quarrel on
the Guthrie toWnsite had occurred
The citizens fOur-o' clock meeting ad-
jour to six. 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 it was
the general sentiment that all such
should be singled out and debarred
This would throw out many prominent
men, for Judge Clayton, of Arkansas,
and many others held a Guthrie meet
ing before IL o'clock. There is also
great indignation over the hundred OF
more deputy marshals, who used their
ground, and resigned at noon. They
all have a lot. They are to be
singled out and complaint lodged
against them. A resolution was adopted
to the effect that every invader should
be complained of and efforts at once
made to drive them out. The feeling is
very strong in this matter. After criers
had gone over the town, a great crowd
gathered on the highest elevation OF
the town to attend the meeting.
Fully 1900 persons were present
EX-Mayor Constantine was selected
to preside. Addresses were made
by half dozen OF more prominent men
from different parts of the country and
strong feeling was manifested against
the premature settlers, which will very
likely lead to the forfeiture of theiI
claims. Preliminary steps were taken
toward surveying the land and laying
out the streets of Guthrie, etc. Wild
estimates of the
NUMBER OF PEOPLE
at Guthrie were telegraphed last night
A liberal estimate is 5000. There were
many amusing scenes while stalking
| lots. A number Of men would get to
gether and agree that street should
run in a certain direction. Lots would
| be staked to face it. Men adjoining
| would declare that those fellows haC
| staked directly in the street, and thai
their lots faced the street. thus the
greatest confusion reigns and no mar
knows for certainty that he has lot
Nevertheless many sites were sold, one
man paying as high as s100 for supposed
| business site. Trouble is feared ovel
this point which is the only thing
which will breed trouble. In the state
| of uncertainty everyone is good naturei
and hanging to his claim. A grea
| nrairia fire RACED cast of the city las