Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-02-11
SIOUX RESERVATION
Is Opened BY The Settlers With.
out the Proclamation.
Repetition Of the Oklahoma Scenes In
the Scramble iOP Land.
Unoccupied Territory Which in 4 Few
Days Will Be Thickiy Settled.

ST.. Paul, Feb. l0.-The Pioneer Pres.
special from Chamberlain, 5. D., SAYS
A loud report of 4 cannon this afternoon
was the signal for q crowd of town site
boomers secreted in the heavy timber OF
the Am nerican island 10 get upon the coveted
| bottom on Sioux reservation lands on the
west side of the river. Immediately
/ representatives of the various combinations
sent here fer the purpose of securing this
/ tract were in motion, and teams with loads
/ of lumber at once started on the dead run
/ on the ice scross the river. 1t 10 plsinly
| evident that the local town site boomers
have secured an important advantage by
reason OF their closer proximity to the
lands.
Indian police to the number of nearly .
hundred had been placed asa guard to
prevent any premature invasion, but they
stood dazed and helpless as they viewed
the great and irresistible rush for the res-
erystion. The most novel sight was the
moving OF a large building, under which
had been placed heavy timbers and wheels,
This. like the other wagons, was pulled
across the river by gslloping horses. 1t
took but few minutes for several sections
on the valuable bottom to be literally COW
score of lawyers to solve the problem AS to
who are the rghtful owners
The local tow site DO mere undoubtedly
secured an advantage over the other organ
zed boomers by few minutes. but among
the boomers are Il number who intend to
secure homestead filings if possible which,
If persisted in, will complicate the matter
TO such an extent as to result in protracted
lara
f1ct was going on for the bottom land.
many other intending settlers rushed
promptly into the uplands and began at
once the erection of houses, and these are
prepared to defend their rights against the
later settlers. United States Marshal Frey
and Indian Agent Anderson, assisted by
deputies and the Indian police, were soon
nwork vigorously attempting to eject the
invaier in the absence of any word from
the Secretary of the Interior.
The forces at their disposal is entirely
inadequate to the requirements of the oc-
casiou. While many were notified and
escorted to the river there was not large
enough force TO keep them there and they
quickly returned to their claims. Tonight
the settlers will encamp on claims. If it
should transpire that the proclamation did
mol name future day for the opening, the
claims of settlement will undoubtedly hold
good regardless of the fact that claimants
were elected. new land office will be
organized at once and be in running order
by the time the lands are surveyed, when
filings will be rendered by the settlers.
Land as yet unsuryeyed the settlers will for
the present have to secure squatters rights.
Settlers who have lamber on the ground
are erecting houses by the lignt of lanterns.
The morning sun will shine on scores of
new houses, many grouped in the new town
on the west side of the river. Local town
siters who got the advantage of other
boomers for possession of town sites have
arranged for representation in nearly fifty
branches of business. Inside of 4s hours
buildings will have been erected, and every
thing in running order with popula ton of
between TWO and three thousand.