The morning news., 1889-04-24

Slegeu by an eager ana determined crOWQ
OF men waiting to file claims upon home
steads. AS the afternoon wore on this
crowd grew larger, until at the closing
time it reached in a regular line far
down the street towarde the railroad
station. Business in the land office
went rather slowly. The register and re-
ceiver did the best they could, but the press
ure upon them was tremendous. The men
who We're waiting to file claims were forced
into line two abreast
Dealers in real estate began business ba-
fore O'Clock in the afternoon. One enter
prising dealer had as q back ground for the
safe transaction Of business a stock of rifles
which had been placed there by the gOvern
ment troops ON duty at the land office
Near by was the te It of the United States
marshal. Needless to say the tent was sur
mounted by large American flag.
THE FIRST HOMESTEAD.
KANSAS CITY, April 23-Toe Star cor
respondent who had been At Guthrie all
night, returned to Kansas City to-day and
sends the following to his papsr:
"The first homestead filed at Guthrie was
Mark s. Cohen of Fort Smith, Ark. The
first soldier to file declaratory statement
was Benton Turner, who was private in
Company |, Sixth Illinois cavalry. During
yesterday three town sizes. Guthrie, Okla
homa City and Edmunds, three homesteads
and twenty-one soldiers decaratory state
ments were filed. At 1915 O'clock William
at the land office, laid down the
rough chart of Guthrie and filed it
as u town site This was the first
paper presented. Four clerks for the Ian d
offices from Washington arrived yester-
day, two for King Fisher and two here.
Land Register Dillie stated this morning
that the King Fisher land office would not
- I,o o-4S
mates of the number at Guthrie were tele-
graphed last night. A liberal estimate is
5000.
AMUSING SCENES.
There were many amusing scenes while
stalking lots. A number of men would get
together and agree that a street should run
in a certain direction. Lots would be
staked to face it. Men adjoining would de-
clare that those fellows had staked directly
in a street and that their own lors
faced the street, Thus the greatest
confusion reig1s, and no man knows
for certainty that he has
a lot. Nevertheless many sites were sold,
one man paying 500 for a supposed bust
ness site. Trouble is feared over this point,
which is the only thing that will breed
trouble. In spite of the uncertainty every
one is good-natured and hanging to his
claim. Great prairie fires ragged east
of the city last night, aud with
the camp fires spread over the city made
beautiful sight A squad of Gen. Merritt's
soldiers guarded the land Office all night.
In view of the scarcity of water one man
last night procured a hogshead which ne
filled with water, whisky and syrup and
did a rushing business selling 1t for cider at
10 cents per glass.
MURDER.
"About o'clock Yesterday evening a pis-
tol report across Cottonwood creek, west of
the depot, outside OF the town site reserve,
attrated attention. In moment a man
on horseback went west over a hill at a
breakneck speed. Two deputy United
States marshalS went over, but were told
that nothing had occurred. The Star re-
porter got a boat and crossed the stream,
h jwevar to investigate the matter. In the
bushes were collected half a dozen men.
On the ground beside a half-made grave
was stretched all that was left OF S. I.
Comppis. A bah from a revolver had
passed entirely through his breast, coming
out at the back. He lived half
dead when the reporter 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 fac3 was at ouce recognized as that of
man who had eaten dinner with the
scribe At the table Comppis said he and
his partner had entered Guthrie on ponies.
WERE sTAKING A CLAIM
can tho lots were gone and they swan
Cottonwood creek and had staked claim.
As they were driving the last stakes,
fellow was discovered in the bushes on the
bank of the creek. This man said he had
already staxed the claim. C0mppis and
his partner offered to divide. To
this the fellow objected and
warned them that be would shoot be-
fore he would divide. Comppis did not be-
leve this threat, and as he left he said he
should sleep on that claim. Half an hour
afterward Comppis was shot by the first
claimant as he stood by his pony, bride in
hand. HIS murderer got away before
Comppis' companion could realize what
had been done.
DRAGGED INTO THE BUSHES.
"Believing secrecy the easiest way out,
Comppis' partner dragged the dying man
into the bushes and said no Que Lad been
hurt. He would not give his name, and the
peculiarltv of the situation prevented a
searching inquiry. The dead man was
about 81 years of age and had black hair
and eyes. When he left the eating tent be
wore "a gray flannel shirt, pants and
hat. and bad bis coat strapped to his pony.
ComDpis' companion took possession of the
murderer's outfit of 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 noar Guthrie W. 70 midnight, de-
spite other reports.
SUFFERING FOR WATER.
After 4 O'Clock yesterday and all night,
thero was much suffering for water. The
railroad company refused 10 let the settlers
take from the railroad tank for fear of OK.
haustio i. The water ia tho Cotton v ood Is
red with mud, ard water famine seems i'm
miuent. Hawkers went about the depot last
night with buckets OF water, charging
cents a glass The water was poor, but
found a ready sale. The engineers were
bs,eged by the thirsty people for drinks
from The engine tanks aud many were ac-
commodated.
GUTHRIE's LOTS,
CUP TO midnight not a quarrel on the
Guthrie town site uad occurred. Tue citt-
IONS held a meeting in the afternoon. The
great anxiety Of every one was information
about the size of the lots. There was great
Indignation over the fact that people had
zone on the ground before - o'clock, aud it
was tho general sentiment that all such
should be singled out and debsrred. This
would throw out many prominent men,
for Judge Clayton Of Arkansas and
many Others held a Guthrie meeting
before II O'Clock. There is also great in-
digpation over the hundred or more deputy
fparsaals who used their authority as
cloak to get on the ground, and resigned at
al ita.rr n tAH a