Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-03-15
BOOMERS BOOMING.
A Frenzied Multitude Already Invading
the Cherokee Strip.
Troops and Cavalry Reported En- Route, and
BlOOdsbed is Almost Certain.
Boomers Determined.
Special TO the Gazette.


KANSAS CITY, Mo-, March IA
special from Arkansas City, Kan. =,
says, a genuine stampede struck the
Oklahoma boomers to-day. The report
sent out by the associated press yester-
day, that the Cherokee outlet was de-
clared public land and open to settle
ment, caused great rejoicing among
the whole colony last night, and early
this morning signs of uneasiness could
be seen in various camps along the line.
AT II O'Clock last night, the whole
country was awake and making prepara-
tions to move on to the Strip as soon as
possible. AS each man realized that his
nelghbor had the same intention, he be-
came almost frenZled with fear that the
best claims would be taken before
he could get in. The result was that by
daylight there came genuine rush
across the border, and by noon a steady
stream WAS pouring into the Strip. All
day long the immigration continued, and
at night not less than l0, 900 people had
crossed the line. From the poorest to
the wealthiest, 1t was the same, and
there was no advantage given in that
point. They have gone i'll wagons, bug
gies, on horses, on foot and in the cars,
until the city now seems to be depopu-
lated. They have gone with their fami-
lies and with the intention of STAYING
there, and nothing short of the regular
army can GUST them. Many went armed
with Winchesters. rifles, shot-guns and
revolvers and say they will not be driv en-
out. Some took the precaution to lay in
their supplies to last them for week,
but the great majority will not be able
10 get meal, and 90 not know where
they can obtain food. Some of them
had tents and "shocks' for their claims,
but most of them went with nothing but
a pallet, and will be contented to sleep
on the ground.
News comes in from the Strip that
large herds Of cattle have been stam-
peded and have become unmanageable,
and are ranging over the county
adding an element of danger to the
situation. The report Is current that
soldiers are already in the Territory from
the south, and that there are several
troops of cavalry on the way from Fort
Leavenworth by rail. DR.. Brown, the
army surgeon, is reported as having
received q telegram to be in readiness
TO accompany the troops.
a special from Caldwell says: "The
colony OF Oklahoma boomers organized
10 invade the Cherokee Strip have made
arrangements to start from here at
o clock sharp next Sunday morning.
One hundred and seventy-five families
with their prairie schooners' have
joined the colony from all parts of the
state. Hou. j. W. Nyce, mayor of the
city, is at the head of the colony. He
rides about on fine black stallion giving
orders to the boomers as if he was
vertable general in command. The col
Ony has laid off a towpsite near Pond
creek and have named it Nyceburg.
There will be fully S75 teams ready to
start the invasion next Sunday, unless
they get stampeded before that time and
rush in. Capt. Burbank, from the
Oklahoma colony, is here trying to per-
suade the boomers not to invade the
Strip, but Mayor Nyce says the boomers
are ready to go, and will go if they have
TO fight their way through the troops.
Capt. Burbank has telegraphed for
troops to come here and stop the boom
ers, and if they get here a lively time is
expected as Mayor Nyce and the boomers
are determined set of men,