Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-02-11
THE RUSH BEGUN.
The Scramble for T0wnstte an
Homestead Entries.

The SCIH IOE ONnNIEG
Homestead Entries. ~
ST.. PAUL, February lo.-A Pioneer
Press Chamberlain, s. D., special saws
The loud report of cannon this after
noon startled the crowd of people campsd
here awaiting an opportunity to get noon
the Sioux reservation lands, which
turned out to be the signal for the town
site boomers who were secreted in the
heavy timber in American island, to get
upon the coveted bottom on the west
side of the river. Immediately the rep.
resentatives of various combinations
sent here 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 eyi-
dent that the local townsite boomers had
secured an important advantage by rea-
son of their closer proximity to the
lands.
1t wss grand sight viewed from the
bluffs, where several thousand people
had gathered to see as many more take
part in this exciting event. Indian po-
lice, numbering nearly one hundred, had
been placed as guard to prevent any
premature invasion, but they atood dazed
and helpless as they viewed the great
and irresistible run for the reservation.
The most novel sight was the moving OF
large building, under which had been
placed heavy timbsrs and wheels. This,
like other wagons, was pulled across the
river by galloping horses. 1t took but a
few minutes for several sections of vslu-
able bottom to be literally covered with
claimants, and it will take a
score of lawyers to solve the
problem as to who are the rightful
owners. The local townsite boomers
undoubtedly secured sn advantage over
the other organized boomers by few
minutes, but among the boomers are q
number who intend to secure homestead
filings il possible, which will complicate
the matter to such an extent as to result
in protrscted legal struggle.
While the rush was going on for bot
tom lands, many other intending settlers
pushed promptly into the uplands, and
began at once to erect houses and pre-
pared to defend their rights against later
settlers, determinedly guarding against
any invasion of their lands.
United States Marshal Fry and Indian
Agent Anderson, assisted by deputies
and Indian police, were soon at work
vigorously attempting to eject the in.
vaders. The forces at their disposal
we're entirely inadequate to the require
ments of the occasion, and while many
were escorted back to the river, there
WAS not a large enough force to keep
them there, and they quickly re-
turned to their claims. II it should
transpire that the proclamation did not
name q future day for opening, the
claims to settlement would undoubtedly
hold good, regardless of the fact that the
claimants were rejected.
A new land Office will be organized st
once, and be ia running order by the
time the lands are surveyed, when filings
will be rendered by settlers. The land
is as yet unsurveyed. and settlers for the
present have to secure squatters' rights.
There were number of smashups in
the rush, but as yet no fatalities have
been reported. The city is in great
uproar tonight. Bells are ringing,
whistles blowing, cannons booming. By
the appearance of the reservs-
tion for many miles in every direc-
ton will have undergone great
Settlers who have
lumber on the grounds are
erecting houses by the light of lanterns.
The morning sun will shine on score OF
new houses, many grouped in the new
town on the west side of the river. The
local townsiters, who got the advantage
Of the other boomers for the possession
Of the town sites, have arranged for
in nearly fifty different
branches of business. Inside of forty.
eight hours buildings will be erected and
everything be in running order, with
population of between two and three
thousand. 1t is fortunate that the proc
lamation came at this time, as q few
weeks later the crossing of the river
would be dangerous.