Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-04-26


great transformation scene had
begun and was plainly visible to
the watchers from the train. First
came in View the whlte-tOpped
wagons, gathered together in
groups IN the level prairie or in the
little valleys which diversity the
face of the country. II was at
once noticeable that the teams
we're not to be seen in any OF these
camps, and it was plain they had
been taken out Of the harness to
be rode across the border by the
hard riders, who were to locate
claims. A little further on and
this conclusion was proven to be
the correct one, for the entire face
OF the country, az far as the best
field glass could carry the sight,
was overrun with hOrsemen gallOp
ing TO the southwark. Their
tleetest horses had evidently been
picked for the work, and they were
carrying their riders rapidly to the
lOnged.for goal. Rides OF 10 or 20
miles were made in an incredible
short time by old boomers familiar
with the country and who knew
where desirable lands were located.
The day was cloudless, and far
away or the horizon, both to the
east and west, clouds of dust could
be seen ascending from the hOOfs
of hundreds of horses rushing
toward different destinations in
most cases, but some of them to-
ward the same.
RACE FOR A GOAL.
One race for a goal could be
easily distinguished. The riders
we're apparently evenly mounted ;
they were even Tor mile or two
along the trail as far as they could
be seen, and their eager and in
tense looks and merci!ess slashlng
we're sufficient evidence OF the
prize they were running after. One
saddled but riderless horse was
seen galloping along the trail-an
ominOus sign OF some accident or
fatality which had befallen the
rider. Some men were in charge
OF the horses and were evidently
riding relays toward the goal.
WAGON CARAVAN.
Out OF the dust which arose
toward the east could be seen
after the train had reached the
summit of a high ridge a wagon
caravan fully two miles in length,
and which was being sped to the
utmost speed OF its horses. These
caravans we're plainly Out.distanced
By the horseback riders, and after
several miles of the territory had
been trayersed il was seen that the
best riders were winning the best
prizes. One homesteader, who had
secured a magnificent quarter sec
ton rolling land, had dug a hole
two or three feet deep at that
corner of It where the Surveyors
section was located, and where he
had driven his stakes, not looking
upon these evidence OF possession
as sufficient to confirm his title
He fired a Winchester as the train
ran by and fred lot of it's con
tents, and then emptied his re-
volver, yelling like a cowboy or a
Comanche Indian all the time.
THE MILITARY.
The train stopped at military
post, where the white tents of the
soldiers and the officers tents sur
rounded by the national colors
we're a gratifying evidence Of a
power sufficient to maintain order.
Troop "D,p OF the fifth regiment
of cavalry OF the United States
army, was quartered there, and
the officers said that at the sound
OF the bugle at high noon there
had been a movement among the
boomers camped along the border
which had extended across the en-
tire frontier line, and that the din
had been fast and furious ever
since, some of the prOspectors run
ming to Guthrie to file their en-
tries, and others going to locate on
the land and secure a prior right f.
to possession by actual occupancy.
A STIRRING SCENE.
The scene was one of the most .
striking and picturesque ever
witnessed. The smoke OF myriad /
of camp fires lighted to cook the
first meal in Oklahoma began 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 a great /
deal of the land, and more than
one furrow OF virgin soil out of the |
land which had made the day I
glorious az well as memorable.
A CITY MADE IN A DAY.
Guthrie already has its Main
street its Harrison street, its
Oklahoma avenue, and this morn /
ing it was a wllderness-the ante. .
lope sported and jackrabbit flap /
ped It's ears In the sun.
In the afternoon, at four o'clock,
the first municipal election oc.
Cured. The election notice APP
peared to-day IN the Oklahoma
Herald, q daily newspaper, pub.
Iished at Guthrie on the first day
of existence. Nearly 10000 votes
we're polled, as there are about
that many men in Guthrie with the
intention OF becoming citizens
The leading candidates for mayor
we're .Adjutant.G General Reice, of
Illinois, William Constantine, of
Springfield, Ohio, and 7. l.. Sum
ner, of Arkansas City.
The Bank of Oklahoma opened
for business at Guthrie to-day with
a capital stock of $4,000, NJ. w.
Levy, the Wichita banker, its
president: George W. Robinson,
the banker of Winfield, and Hon.
Horace Speed, of Indianapolis,
dire ciors. The new city is flooded
with business cards of ali descrip-
tiona reDresentinp every line of