Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1890-02-19
RESERVATION HURRAH

RESERVATION HURRAH
SCENES AND INCIDENTS NEAR THE
BORDER OF PROMISE.
TIE lallitary st Pierre Prevent the Ac-
eouchment OF Ambitious Schemes How
the People Feel.
When Il became known in Pierre that
TIE proclamation opening the great Sioux
reservation had been issued mighty cheer
went forth and the scene Of excitement al
most beggared description. The crowd
made rush for the river bank and par
ticipated in grand rush for tho other side.
When the news was made known in tho
state house by the firing of cannon, the
members arose from their seats and gave
three long cheers, and motion to adjourn
went through ~ soon ~ It could be heard.
Flags hoated from every building and
bands played. Those who dii not go
across in the rush kept up the general
hurrah In the city until nightfall. The
greatest interest seemed to center on the
river and ths Other side, whore the
mile square, dotted with houses,
was plainly visible. Teams hitched to
wagons had been stationed ell along the
river bank on this side oil day. and count
less boomers remsined by, ready to make
start for the promised land. When the
word Was received, each team, with the
wagon filed with men, started, and many
rsces were had to see which would gain the
other side and be first to get on the choice
quarter sections Of the famous mile square.
They found NO hindrance in crossing the
river, the ice being perfectly sound, but
when the first loads reached the other bank
they found an unlocked for obstacle in
their way. The troops which had been
stationed there for some weeks we're drawn
up in line along the bank and the first ex.
cited boomers were stopped by the stern
command to halt. They did not want to,
but when confronted by bayonets in the
hands OF the soldiers sufficient in numbers
to keep them back they did.
They fell back on 70 the river and while
they could not proceed their numbers were
being constantly sweIled BY others who
were arriving until the crowd easily num-
bered 900 excited men. The military had
received no orders from headquarters to
allow boomers to 20 on, and SO they re-
sisted the crazy throng with their fullest
power. The boomers. organized with re-
enforced numbers, proceeded up the river
bank again until they faced the line Of
troops. Every man was armed, but no
guns we're drawn. They were ready to
break through the line of troops at the first
chance presented.
Col. Tassin, In command Of the soldiers,
came forward and talked with the boomers.
Mounting stump where he could be seen
and heard he explained that he had NO
orders to let them in and firmly told them
they must 60 back. At first tho boomers
insisted that they would proceed, but
finally recrossed the river to this side .
disappointed crowd. Down the river two
miles below East Pierre the situation was
different. Another boomers camp was
located and when the cannon announced
the news they made a start to the
number of several hundred. It
was unfortunate just at this time
that the guard that had been thrown
along the river was being changed and the
troops were not prepared to hold them in
check. Consequently the boomers had
crossed and were scattering up over the
hills back on the reservation before the
troops could be ready to hold them in
check. The latter, however, Immediately
commenced hot pursuit and finally over
took and captured all but few. No orders
we're received by evening to let them 60 on,
20 tho troops built fires along the
reservation bank Of the river at intervals
frequent enough to discover any who may
try to sneak by the guards. Some Of the
boomers are in organized bands and have
county records and officers elected SO that
they can organize as soon % they reach
counties they have selected, and in several
cases several organisations are ready for
each county, which will make trouble when
they come together on the ground. As it
is, tho military has guarded 80 we'll the
bank that it 10 impossible 70 get over, rot
withstanding the presidents proclamation
says they ran. The Indian police patrol
the reservation further back from the
line Of troops and word has come
that they have arrested . number Of
stray boomers that got through the guard.
The people At Fort Pierre. though allowed
to live there, are not allowed to leave the
mile squars except to come to Pierre by
permit from the officer in charge, but they
are holding big jubilee there and bonfires
and guns can bs seen and heard. A mum.
ber Of them tried to svade the guard and
eet into the reservation when the news first
came, but were corralled by the Indian
police. Fred W. Pettigrsw, brother Of
United States Senator Pettigrew, il one
Of the leading boomers and il st the head
Of one Of the strongest organized bands
who will occupy the land there. Capt. W.
J. Shannan, sx.member Of the Ohio legis-
lature, 10 another prominent leader. Sew
esal large bands Of boomers have gone mp
and down the river far enough In hopes to
get around the line Of guards strung along,
and thsrs 10 no doubt but that many will
succeed in crossing and getting foothold,
though the troops will scour the lands with
the help Of the Indian police and take
them back until they receive orders to the
contrary.
Men who were through the Oklahoma