The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-03-20
night. No casualties have occurred as far

night. No casualties have occurred as far
as known.
Within the first forty-eight hours OF the
invasion at least 1900 persons have in
vaded the Cherokee strip from different
points along the border. They did move
forward like troops on dress parade but
with the impetus of the charge OF VIC
toriouS army.
In the wild rush for choice claims the
head of the family was on the skirmish
line astride of the heetest animal he
could find. In the rear the families
moved along with more deliberation, con-
veying to the new home all kinds of camp
equipage and settlers supplies. Nearly
every quarter section of land for eighteen
miles south of this city is at present staked
off ana many Of them are occupied by
squatters.
The report that company ofcavalry un-
der command of Capt. Cavanaugh would
arrive there this afternoon caused some un-
easiness but as the hours rolled by with
out troops putting i'll an appea rance contl-
| dence was restored, and feeling OF Sc
curity prevailed This, however, ives short
| lived, for at o'clock came news that
the president had issued proclamation
ordering all settlers off the strip
People in large numbers who had staked
claims ana returned here for provisions
gathered together on the street corners and
| discussed the situation as dispassionately
| as possible. Some counselled prompt COM
pliance with the presidents orders, but
others insisted it was a wise plan to hold
| their claims until expelled by troops, and
| then as soon as the blue coats were
out of sight to return and begin farming
operations. The advocates of the latter
plan ale evidently in the majority. The
| old soldier element seem to be the most
determined to retain their grasp upon their
| claims. They say the govern ment owes 1t
to them for services rendered and in this
view they have many hackers
and sympathizers. They say home
seekers should be granted equal
privileges with the rich and powerful.
Should the soldiers attempt to remove
them there will be no organized resistance,
but it is believed it will take an army of
10000 men to keep them from settling back
on the strip. One perpleXing trouble
| the soldiers will labor under will
be to distinguish between home
seekers on the strip and home seekers in
| Oklahoma. Movers have a right to pass
| through the strip on their way to Oklaho-
ma. Ask any man in the strip where he Is
going and his answer inevitably is, okla
| homa."
THE "sooNERs' LAUGHED 1T.
KIowA, Kan, March 45.-The laugh on
the "sooners" is an expression of the senti'
I
ton was read here. The boomers who had
the gooU sense to refrain from joining yes
terday's invasion are doing the laughing
while their more hot headed
companions, some of them al
ready returning disappointed, look upon
| the matter as anything bqt laushable.
Those who staled claims just over the line
have already returned to Kansas and will
await patiently as near their claims as pos
sible the fora al opening Of the strip. A
! third perhaps OF the whole number OF
boomers who crossed the line yesterday
have already returned here or are
on their way to this place. They
come struggling back with good
deal of their impetuous energies to await as
near their prospective claims as possible
the formal opening of the strip. AS yet nc
military force has arrived to eXpel settlers
| but it is reported troups are on their way
frC m Fort Supply and will arrive here
| tomorrow.
| ORDERS TO GEN. MERRITT.
| WASHINGTON, March 15.-Adjutant Gen
eral Relton has telegraphed Gen. Merritt
at Fort LeavenwOrth, Kan, to use troops
if necessary and with prudence as hereto
fore to enforce the proclamation issued to.
day by the president relative to intruders
upon the Cherokee strip lands. This or
der is sent by direction of the secretary ol
| war.
Secretary Proctor today issued ar
order transferring the head of the depart
ment of the Missouri from Leay ensworth
Kan, to ST. Louis.
| PRESIDENTS PROCLAMATION.
| WASHINGTON, March 15.-The president
has issued proclamation ordering all set
tiers off the Cherokee strip.