Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-02-21

any who are caught attempting to cross
contrary to orders without a permit will re-
| ceive the s~everest punishment within tie
military authority. This has a tendency to
put a check on the boomers.
AT Chamberlain.
Reports of cannon startled the crowd OF
people canped at Chamberlain awaiting
an opportunity to get upon the Sioux res
e~rvation lands, which turned out to be a
signal for the townsite boomers, who were
secreted in the heavy timber on American
island, to get upon the coveted bottom on
the west side of the river. Immediately
the representatives of the various combln-
ations sent for the purpose of securing this
tract were in motion, and teams with loads
of lumber started on a dead run across the
river, but it was plainly evident that the
local townsite boomers had secured al i'm
portant advantage by reason of their closer
proximity to the lands.
it was a grand sight, viewed from the
high l,utfs, where several thousand people
had gathered to see as many more take
part in this exciting event. Indian police
numbering nearly 100 had been placed as a
guard to prevent any premature invasion,
but they stood dazed and helpless as they
viewed the great and irresistible rush for the
reservation. The most novel sight was tie
moving of a large building, under which
had been placed heavy timbers and wheels.
This, like the other wagons, was pulled
across the river by %galloping horses.
1t took but a few minutes for several
sections on the valuable bottom to be
literally covered with claimants. and it will
take a score of lawyers to solve the prob
lem as to who are the rightful owners.
The local town site boomers undoubtedly
secured m advantage over the other or
ganized boomers by a few minutes, but
among the boomers are a number who in
tend to secure homestead filings if posi-
bic. which will complicate the matter to
such an extent as to result in a protracted
legal struggle. While this rush is going
on for the bottom lands many other in
tending settlers have rushed promptly into
the uplands and begun ~at;once the erection
of houses, and these are prepared to de-
fend their rights as against any invasion
of their lands. United States Marshal
Fry and Indian Agent Anderson, assisted
by deputies and Indian police, We're soon
at work vigorously attempting to EJECT the
invaders. The forces at their disposal
were entirely inadequate to the require
ments of the occasion, and while many
were notified and escorted across the river,
there was not q large enough force to keep
them there and they quickly returned to
their claims.
There we've a number of smash.ups in
the rush, but as yet no fatalities have been
reported. Chamberlain was in an uproar
at night, bells ringing, whistles blowing
and cannon booming. The settlers WHO
have lumber on the ground are erecting
houses by the light of lanterns. The
morning sui will shine on scores of new
houses, many of them grouped in the new
town on the west side of the river.
The local townsiters, who got advantage
of the other boomers for the possession of
the town site, have arranged for represen-
tation in nearly fifty different lines of bust
ness. Inside of forty-eight hours the
buildings will be erected and everything in
running order with a population of be-
tween 1900 aud 5000. It is fortunate
the proclamation came at this time as a few
weeks later the crossing Of the river would
be dangerous.