The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-03-16
NAUGHTY BOOMERS.
The Oklahoma Strip Settled in
Spite Of Law.
Mr.. HARR,soN.s PROCLAMATION


ARxAysAs Crry, Kan. March 1.-The
boomers se-e ssampeded into Cherokee
strip. and viii now be ssampeded cat Of IL.
They misconstru<d the passage Of the Ok
lahoma bilI into an acs providing for the
immediate opening OF tie country 10 SET
taemenf. and each colony Of boomers.
alarmed lest il should not b frst on the
ground 70 select the choicest townsites and
Gains. rushed pcil-mell over the border.
Fear Was expressed by the cooler heads
fhat this premature and Ii-advised move
ment might be entirely useless: that the
government might deprive them Of their
advantage. and drive settlers oat TO await
the formal opening Of the country. and
give Al prospective settlers an equal
chance. This view was entertained by
only small minority. the great majority
already settling down on claims as II as
sured OF permanent residence. They be-
heve, now that invasion has been accom-
piished, that the president viii allow them
to remain. and permit Others 10 take up
land whenever they arrive.
The majority are bona iide settlers They
carried on their wagons yesterday enough
lumber 10 construct small dwellings, and
today white tents and wagon covers that
dot the prsiries in all directions are being
replaced with the less picturesque but
more substantial board shanfy. Especially
Is this ne case in the central settlement at
Ponca, only yesterday small station Of
100 people on the Santa Fe. just over the
line from Guthrie. Oklahoma City. of
300 inhabitants, sprung up in one night
The gambling fraternity is here in fril
force. the monte men, wheel Of fortune,
walnut shells. with the Elusive panel, being
manipulated in the open street with the
usual degree of success. Several disturb
ances occurred over the gambling devices.
and many fights have taken place, but
nothing serious resulted.
Al Guthrie last night reporter boarded
the train in which were representatives Of
the Cherokee Strip Cattle Company, return
ing from the Fort Worth cattlemen's con-
vention. Hewins. president Of the COM
psny. was among the number. He said
that the inst intimation they had Of the
invasion Of their leased lands was gained
at Guthrie. They could not believe it, but
q few minutes later the campfres, sur
rounded by the invaders themselves, were
seen glowing in the darkness and confirmed
the report
The cattiemen were greatly disturbed at
the invasion. and have appointed . CON-
mittse TO notify the secretary of the inter-
ior OF the fact and ask for troops TO restore
to them the possession Of their lands
No military force is on the ground now.
and. - tar ~ known. none has been
oEdered to proceed thither. Captain CAva-
naugh. commanding the forces at Guthrie,
and Captain Burbank, at Oklahoma City,
have both officially notified general Mer-
ritt at Leavenworth. commanding the de-
partment Of Missouri, Of the invasion and
the cattle company has requested protec-
ton from Washington. No replies, 50 far
as known, have been received to these dis
patches. and surely no orders have been
given TO move troops into the invaded
country.