The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-23

the prospectors running TO Guthrie to flo
their entries, and others going to locate on
the land and secure a prior right to pos
session by actual occupancy. The scene
was one OF the most stirring and piclur-
esque ever witnessed. The smoke Of
myriads of camp fires, lighted to cook the
first meal in Oklahoma began 10 ascend in
all directions, and before the first train
OF land spectators rushed TO the future
great city OF Guthrie, the farmer had al
ready become the possessor OF a great deal
OF the land, and more than one iurrow
Of virgin soil out Of the land which had
never before been licked by the plow, was
turned over TO the sun which has made
the day glorious us well rs memorable.
II was 1920 o'clock when the first sec.
ton of tho great Atchison train reached
the line, and its progress from that point
on 10 Guthrie was not rapid enough for
the rapid men who wanted to get there in
a hurry, before all the cream was skinned
of the milk. Nevertheless, II lacked buta
few minutes OF o'clock when the train
stopped in front of the Guthrie Depot,
handsome and substantial ediiico, which
has been greatly libelled by the numerous
| newspaper artists which have drawn on
their immagination for its picture since
this excitement began. Before tho train
came 10 a stop IL was seen that somebody
was already therein fact, the town was
already well populated Tents were num-
erous the eastern slope and stakes were
sticking up out OF the ground like poles
in a bean patch. Men could be seen rae.
ing in the direction OF tho valablo hold
ings and the scene was as busy and ami
mated n one as II Ia possible To imagine.
Tho profanity among the Arkansas City,
and Wichita MS we'll as those from other
points, Kansas City spectators, was both
loud and deep. II there has been pres
pect of shooting nj any time today, II was
when these men found themselves batiled
ut the game of ireeze.out, but they were
compelled to swallow their wrath, for ac.
cording to all the technlcalities OF the law
the men In possession were the rightful
owners, and the men who had been lett
out were the most persistent In their de-
mand for laws enforcement. There was
nothing TO do but 10 take what was left,
aud In the scramble to got these that
THE MOST LuDicRoUs SCENE
Of the day was presented. Falling over
each other in the effort 10 got out the cans,
every variety Of man along the frontier
made an army which charged tho land
office in detachments. The land office
WIS not their point Of distinction. though
Il stands at the corner OF the section, and
| IL is the present conler Of the town. But
Il was 10 secure the lots nearest 10 Il that
the rush WIS made; there was but little
left near II. Stakes had already been
driven almost TO the limit OF the hall sec
ton OF $50 acres allowed for town site.
| As the law now stands, there was but a
I small margin, and this was being rapidly
wiped out by the same men who had al
ready appropriated nearly everything In
sight. Ii was but u few minutes until the
line was reached, and the back.action
movement of taking mp lots which nobody
had wanted before began. Thoy were not
long on tho market after tho ebb of the
tide had eot In, and when tho second and
third sections OF tho Atchison train ar
air wasblue Tor hitler around tho motrop
oils. There was nothing 10 do, however
as every lot was protected by rifles an,
reyolycrs, and II tho shooting was begun
thou was no telling where Il would stop.
Tho only recourse left by the disappointed
mon was 10 buy out such holders M were
| willing To sell, or run the risk Of taking
outside the legal limit. Both courses were
adopted. A goodly number OF Guthrie
city lots changed hands. The first sale
was made by a man named II. g. Rummcls,
OF Mnlyan, Kas., who sold ailno twenty-five
foot front lot near the land office for 80 10 an
old doctor, rcsdontof one of the Indian
reservations adjoining Oklahoma. The
purchaser refused $50 for tlie lot five
minutes later. Several transfers were
made today, and others were determined
to locate here drove stakes outside the
town line. This n preparatory 10 purchase
Of the homestca1ers rights nd-extenslon
OF the city limits. No one who has never
seen Western town take form and shape
can comprehend how quickly iull-rigged
city with n double-deck boom can be put
In running motion. Guthrie already has
lis Main street, lis Harrison street, II.
Guthrie avenue and iis Oklahoma, and
this morning Il was wilderness where
the Jack rabbit tapped his cars In the sun.
This afternoon the municipal election oc-
CURED. The election notice appeared TO.
day IN tho
OKLAHOMA HERALD, A DAILY PAPER,
published at Guthrie on the FIRST day Of H.
existence. A council will be elected nj
the same time. Nearly 10000 votes were
poled. as there are about that many men
| IN hutNilt WIN Atlt lul'uAHu VI h'ANuA
ing citizens. The leading candidates for
Mayor were Adjuiant General Roicc, OF
Illinois; William Constantine, Of Spring.
field, o., and 4. l.. sumner, Of Arkansas
City. strong dark horse Is 4. Volncy
Ilaggoti, OF Huron, Oak.
Tho First National Bank opened nt
Guthrie today with q capital stock OF $50 q.
600. NJ. w. Lovi, the Wichita banker. 4
president; q. w. Robinson, the banker Of
| Winfield, and the Hon. Horace speed, OF
Indianapolis, directors. The new city Is
flooded with business cards Of all descrip.
tons, representing every limo Of trade and
business, every profession and every occu.
patton imaginable. A mass Of mail Is cx-
pccicd TO reach the Guthrie posioilioc
every day.
Tho frst homestead entry at Guthrie
Office was an old soldier claimant named
Johnson, a kansan. The Land office at
Knglisher was not opened today. but adj
vices from there by stage TO Guthrie re-
ported an orderly colonizing Of the town
which ID 10 be a rival ot Guthrie In the
territory. Everything was reported quiet
along the Canadian. Purcell Is deserted
village, aud now a little station on the Aich.
ison road, about eight miles north OF II was
laid out M a town site. II Ia evident that
Oklahoma Is 20 bo opened peaccably aud
without bloodshed. The crisis was passed
today. The great number Of her citizens
arc law abiding, aud those who arc not
will be- suppressed by the strong hand of
frontier Justice, aided by military author.
ity under Gen. Merritt, who has esiab.
iishpd his Headquarters az Oklahoma CITY,