West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1890-02-20
A RUSH FOR LAND.
The Sioux Reservation In South
Dakota Open for Settlement.
A Great Scramble by Settlers
for Desirable Locations.

Tho President by proclamation has
opened the Sioux Reservation i'm South
Dakota aud established land offices at
Pierre and Chamberlain. Reciting that the
different bands Of Sioux Indians had relin-
quishcd all claims TO tho land in question,
provision is mado 10y the proclamation for
tho future homes OF tho tribe, and any
lands occupied 10y religious societies are
given such socictios Tho proclamation
provides that all tho lands I'm the
Great Sioux Reservation, outside OF the
separate reservations for the Indians, ex-
ccpt American Island. Farm Island and
NiohrarR Island, regarding which islands
special provisions are made, aud sections six
teen and thirty-siX I'm each township (which
arc reserved for school purposcs) shall be dis
posed OF by the United States upon the
terms at the price and i'm tho manner set
forth in tho Act of the Commission, 10 actual
settlers only, under the provisions OF the
Homestead law Except section 1901 thereof,
and under the law relating to town sites. IL
Is provided, however, that all persons who,
between February "a, 1885, and April "a,
1850, entered upon or made settlements with
intent 10 enter the same under tho Home
steal or Presumption laws OF the United
States upon any part OF the Great Sioux
Reservation hovo right to ro-cnter upon
said claims and procure title thereto under
the Homestead on Pre- emption laws OF tho
United States.
A dispatch from Chamberlain describes
tho rush for tho newly-opcnod territory as
follows:
There was n rush for the Sioux Reserya-
tion hours before 10 became known that the
Presidents proclamation had opened the
new territory. 10 was grand sight viewed
from the high bluffs ON tho east side OF the
river 20 soc the teams with their great
mmher-loads dashing across tho river on n
dead rum up the blun ON American Island
aud finally being lost 10 sight in tho heavy
timber.
The Indian police, 10 tho number of nearly
one hundred had been placed as n guard 10
prevent any premature invasion, but they
stood dazcd and helpless as they viewed the
great and irresistible rush for the reserva.
ton most novel sight was the moving
OF large building, under which had been
placed heavy timbers and wheels. This, like
tho other wagons, was pulled across tho
river by gallOping horses.
IL took but a few minutes for .he several
sections ON the valuable bottom TO be liter
ally covered with claimants and IL will take
n score OF lawyers To solve the problem as 10
who are the rghtful owners.
The locnl tOwn-sitc boomers undoubtedly
secured AN advantage over the other organ
lied boomers 10y few minutes, but among
the boomers are number who intend 10 se-
cure homestead filings IL possible which II
persisted in, will complicnte the matter 10
such an extent as to result In a protracted
legal struggle While this rush and conflict
was going ON for tho bottom lands many
other intending settlers rushed promptly into
the uplands and began at once the erection
OF houses and these are prepared 30 defend
their rights as against later settlers deter.
mincdly guarding against any invasion Of
their lands
At night the settlers encampcd on their
claims. The new laud Office viii be organ
izod at ones and los la running order by the
time the lands are surveyed, when filings
will be rendered by settlers. The land is as
yet unsurveyed, and settlers will for the
present havo 10 secure squatters' rights.
There were number OF smash ups In the
rush but no fatalities were reportod fho
city was in great uproar. Bells lin. ing,
whistles blowing, cHnnons booming, thout-
ing OF excited men aud tho rushing or Jeans
made "A vertablc bctllam