The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
ARMED WITH WHISKY AND RIFLES
The Gathering of the Clans on the
Oklahoma Border.
A Boomers League Which Intends
to Dispense Justice.
Army Officers Think There VIII be
Work for the BIuecoats.

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan, April 1S.-Of 81
men and several women who were passen-
gers on the south bound Santa Fe train
which arrived last evening all but four were
boomers. Every man had bottle Of whis-
ky and a double-barreled shot gun, and
Winchester rifles were numerous. On the
streets of this town nearly every stranger is
armed. Many of them carry guns in their
hands and cartridge belts strapped around
their waists. A good many Of these walking
arsenals look as If they would run at the
sound Of a shot or faint at the smell of pow
der, but they have come here with the idea
that some sort of gun is absolutely neces-
sary, and the warlike appearance Of the men
they meet tends to increase their respect for
their own foresight
There is no doubt that guns will come into
play. The character of the men who are
gathering here and along the borders Of the
Territory indicates that. Every man who
speaks at all OF his Intentions swears that he
will have the land he wants and defend it
with his life. One hardware firm in Wichita
has sold thus far this week 1O4 Winchesters
and number Of revolvers. Gun merchants
are doing big business, and the man who
enters Oklahoma next Monday without some
sort of weapon win be an exception.
The question what law will govern the
new Territory Is first on the lips Of every
newcomer. A prominent Kansas man tells
a curious story bearing on this point. Law" /"
he says, will be furnished by the Oklahoma
League. This is no mythical organization.
but reality, as any boomer who disobeys 10
tufn End N mar w n
BILE land will have to do 1t through this
league or with the leagues consent Its
members selected their lands 10 years ago
and they now intend TO keep them. They
will defend each others claims and make
any man suffer who interferes."
..But they have no more rights than other
citizens?"
perhaps that is so, but they have select
ed their claims, have lived In the Territory
and on the border for years, and have organ.
lied so we'll that no man, or body Of men,
can afford to run against them. They reach
every part Of the Territy, and the newcomer
must acknowledge their supremacy and join
the league or suffer such punishment as they
may see fit to mete out. In the absence OF
civil power they will rule"
Another man who has had intimate rela-
tions with the boomers corroborates this
story. II know" he said, that the league
has an actual existence and will enforce its
laws. 1t Is over II years old. Every good
StcblOu mas Dttu Stdktu Oub anu mas IT'S
claimant, and the league is determined that
such claimant shall only be dispossessed by
purchaser.
''How can the stranger find member Of
the League?"
'The knowledge will come to him. He
won't have to search long,"
The orders Of the Washington authorities
reveal an amusing ignorance of the situation
of the Territory. The orders sent Special
Agent Picker were 10 secure suitable build
ings for the inland Offices at Guthrie and
Kingfisher, in case this could be done ''at
reasonable price," otherwise he was author
lied to purchase the necessary lumber and
have it shipped to the two points named,
where the buildings should then be con-
structed. He had permit to enter the Ter
ritory, but a permit for the carpenters and
necessary workmen was overlooked. Team
ing to Kingfsher was to be obtained at "the
village of Guthrie" which consists of a rail-
road station and shanty or two.