The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-05-01

The scene was one Of the most stirring
and most picturesque ever witnessed. The
smoke of a myriad Of camp-fres lighted
to cook the first meal in Oklahoma be-
gan to ascend in all directions and before
the first train of land spectators rushed
to the future great city Of Guthrie, the
farmer had already become the possessor
Of great deal of the land and more than
one furrow Of virgin soil out Of the land
which had never before been tickled BY
a plow was turned over to the sun, which
has made the day glorious as well as
memorable.
It was twenty minutes after twelve
o'clock when the FIRST section Of the great
Atchison train reached the line and IT'S
progress from that point on to Guthrie
was not rapid enough for the rapid men
who wanted to get there in a hurry be-
fore all the cream was skinned off the
milk
When the train reached the depot the
rush from the ears something terrific.
It was a general scramble from one end
of the train 10 the other, in which the
strongest showed ahead and the weakest
went to the wall During the rest of the
day equally exciting scenes occurred in
every direction, and, to judge from the
intense excitement that prevails, one
would suppose that possession Of home
stead in the newly opened territory
meant the actual life Of the boomer.
Greed and selfshness were everywhere
apparent, and though up to the present
no actual outbreak Of hostility has occur
red, there are grave apprehensions that
the opening OF Oklahoma will be cele-
brated in baptism Of blood,
BLooDsnED IL OKLAHOMA.
GUTHRIE, Oklahoma, April 25.ZThe
settlement Of Oklahoma has, even now,
been accompanied by bloodshed. and at
least one life has been lost in the strug-
gle for homestead. About five O'Clock
yesterday evening a pistol report across
Cottonwood Greek, west Of the depot,
ogside Of the town site reserve, attracted
attention. In a moment q man on horse
back went west over the hill at break
neck speed. Two Deputy United States
Marshals went over, but were told that
nothing had occurred. The reporter got
boat and crossed the stream, however,
to investigate the matter. In the bushes
were collected haf dozen men. On the
ground and beside half-made grave was
stretched all that was left Of :. T. Comp
pis. A ball from a revolver had passed
entirely through his breast, coming out
at the back. He lived half an hour after
being shot.
Ills companion said that he and bis
partner had-entered Guthrie on ponies.
All TIE lots we're gone and they swan the
Cottonwood and had siaked claim. As
they were driving the last stakes fellow
was discovered in the bushes on the
bank of the creek. This man said that
he had already staked the claim Comp
pis and his partner offered to divide. To
this flle fellow objected and warned them
that he would shoot before he would d.
vide. Comppis did not believe this threat
and as he Ieft he said he should sleep on
that claim. Half an hour Afterwards
Comppis was shot by the first claimant
as be stood By his pony. bride in hand.
His murderer got away before.Comppis's
could realize what had been
done. Believing secrecy the easiest way
ont, CompPis's partner dragged the dying
man into the bushes and said no one had
been hurt He would not give his name
and the peculiarly Of the situation pre-
vented searching inquiry.