The Indianapolis journal., 1890-02-13
THE RAID ON SIOUX LANDS
Official Announcement Reaches Pierre
and the Military Forces Withdraw.
Five Thousand People Immediately Engage in
aScramble for the Coveted Ground-New
Town Built Near Chamberlain.


Military Forces Withdraw and the Scramble
Begins-GambIers on Hand.
PIERRE, 5. D., Feb. 12.-This afternoon
Colonel Tassen, in command of the military
st Ft. Pierre. received an official telegram
from the War Department announcing the
Presidents proclamation opening the Sioux
reservation. and that the military forces
should be withdrawn. Information to this
effect was sent to the daily papers of this
city. ana Immediately extras were flying in
the streets announcing the fact. The town
Immediately was in a hubbub of noise and
confusion. Vehicles of all kinds were i'm
mediately called out and packed with men
OF all classes, and there was an exciting
race for the reservation. Everybody who
could get transportation over joined the
excited crowd. and those who could not
ride went on foot. Over they went, pell-
NELL, without waiting for anything-bank-
ers, clerks, boomers, and aIl-each and
every one trying to be the first to get in the
promised land. In thirty minutes the town
was practically deserted. Stores were
closed and business almost suspended.
Perched on the dome of the Capl oil build
ing, the writer could see over the country
for miles. and such a thrilling sight was
away across the river for miles into the
reservation was the procession of men and
boomers wagons, hurrying along on their
mad rush for houses and land, winding
their way over hills and valleys. each try
ing to get ahead of the other to pick up
choice pieces of land taken away from the
red man and given to the settler. Fully
5000 people were In the crowd. and tonight
they are camped over what was yesterday
the home and hunting-grOund of the Sioux
%D, ,<~t~< l. ~<~&
those who have waited long for the day
when they could take possession of the rich
lands and cultivate the soil. Load after
load of timber has left the immense lum-
ber-yards here, until they are almost de-
pleted, and tonight, for radiusof twenty
five miles, can almost everywhere be
the hammer Work is progressing now and
will continue all night by the light of fires
and lanterns on the construction of shacks,
and protect himself from the elements.
Many houses can be viewed from this city
where this morning there was nothing but
the naked plain.
At Fort Pierre the situation is serious.
The bulk of the crowd first. struck that
village and Immediately commenced to
claim town lots, there being as many. as
ten claimants to one lot. Some trouble has
already arisen and the indications are that
before morning there will be some thrilling
SCcncS SOuc buTOuku ny tuOSo WHO dTo ul6-
putting the possession of lots. Ten wagon
loads of beer and whisky left this city for
Fort Pierre, along with several gam
bling outfits. Liquor has been prohibited
on the reserve heretofore, but tonight
it is as free as water, and the inhabitants,
having been relieved of the despotic mill
tary rule that they have been subjected to
for several weeks. are giving vent to their
feelings by imbibing the flowing bowl
Gambling is going on openly In the streets,
and half-breeds. squaw-men, and even the
red man himself. are playing high with
funds which they have received for the re-
linquishment of claims.
F.W. Pettigrew, brother Of Senator Pet
tigrew, has charge of the town, and is at
the head of a vigilance committee. in the
absence of any law. and will probably
manage to keep same order. Pettigrew
will profit immensely from the sale of Fort
Pierre town lots. A big crowd of settlers
came in on the evening train. who imme-
diately crossed over to Fort Pierre to join
m the revelrv-