Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-03-20
STRIPPING THE STRIP.
Exit Ordered By President Har-
risOu.
Belated individuals Continue to Arrive
Cavalry Ordered to the Scene
No Trouble Thought
Likely.

Likely.
WASHINGTON. March 1.-THE Presi-
dent has issued the following proclama-
ton.
To Whom 1t May Concern:
The lands known as the Cherokee Strip are
not open to settlement The bill pending in
Congress and intended to provide q civil
government for the country known as Okla
homa does not provide for opening tho
Cherokee StIip or Outlet to settlement and
has not as yet received the vote Of the two
houses of Congress or the approval OF the
President
The entrance of settlers upon these lands
is unlawful, and all persons are hereby
warned against entering thereon.
When these lands shall become open to
settlement, prompt public notice will DO
given of that fact. but In the meantime It 10
my duty to eschide all persons therefrom,
and those who enter unlawfully will only
involve themselves in Improbable trouble
as they will be Immediately removed.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion. March Is, 1890.
Adjutant-General Kelton telegraphed
General Merritt at Fort Leavenworth,
Kan, to use troops If necessary and
with prudence, as heretofore, to enforce
the proclamation by the President rela-
tive to intruders upon the Cherokee
Strip lands. The order Is sent by direc-
ton of the Secretary of War.
The President has appointed ex-Sen-
ator Cameron, of Wisconsin, member
of the Commission to negotiate for the
cessfon to the United States of the Cher
okee and other Indian lands in the In
dian Territory, vice General Lucius
Fairchild, resigned. This appointment
fills the only vacancy in the Commits
sion.
The members of the Commission will
arrive in Washington within few days
to receive instructions from the Secre-
tary of the Interior, after which negoti-
ations with the Cherokees will be inn
mediately resumed.
j. B. Mayes, Chief Of the Cherokee
Nation, is in the city, having come here
for the purpose of protesting against
the Government taking the Cherokee
Strip. The news of the occupation of
the Strip by the boomers has angered
him, and he said he hoped the boomers
would be at once ousted.
MILITARY MOVEMENTS.
Fort LEAvENwoRTH, Kan. March II.
General Merritt has directed the COM
handing officers of the posts at Forts
Supply and Reno in the Indian Terri
tory to send, with the least practicable
delay, two troops of cavalry from their
respective posts to the Cherokee Strip
and drive out all trespassers.
These are all the movements that have
been ordered from this department
The four troops represent a strength of
24O men and can reach the points in the
Strip within two days. The Supply
cavalry can reach there before that time
by forced march. This will likely be
done.
The only action taken by the Depart
ment Commander was to notify the COM
handing officers of the posts named to
hold their cavalry in readiness for an
emergency. This precaution was taken
prior to the receipt of orders from the
War Department. Reports that the
troops at this post are under marching
orders are not correct. No such orders
have been issued and no such move is
contemplated by these troops
BOOMERS LEAVING.
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan, March 1.-THE
situation yesterday was virtually I'M
changed, save that colonists were cop-
tinually leaving the Strip and looking
for other quarters.
Reports from Caldwell and Hume
we'll state that there has been no ex-
element at either place during the day
beyond the advent of a few belated
settlers who had not heard the news
and were still looking for the promised
land. None of them appeared to be
greatly encouraged by the outlook.
The only break in the monotony here
was the advent of Lieutenant Charles
Dodge, Jr., of General Merritt's staff,
sent from Fort Leavenworth to ascer-
tain the exact condition of affairs
Speaking of the situation Dodge
said: ST am convinced reports have
greatly exaggerated the number of
boomers and would not place them
above 1,500. I am also convinced
there are large numbers of
these who will come out voluntarily
when they learn the conditions, but a
few will stay until ordered out by the
military. You may state with authority
that should troops be called out they
will not be located at any border towns,
but somewhere in the southern part of
the Strip. where they can make effective
patrol. It is not the purpose of the de-
partment to aid in booming any of these
border towns or to give countenance to
the reports that such is their plan of
action
May Play With the Players.
PHILADELPHIA, March 16.-The court