The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-03-22
CHEROKEE WOODS WERE FULL OF THEM
A Ride With Uncle Sans Cavalry in
Search of Boomers.
Settlers Seek seclusion in the Timber
while Scouts Keep Watch.
The Troopers Start Many of Them
Back to the Outer World.

HENNEssY, L. t., March 21.-Troop K,
Fifth cavalry, under the command Of Capt.
A. E. Woodson, arrived here this afternoon
after very eventful ride through the Strip.
The early morning ride was quiet enough,
but as soon as the troops got into the Strip
the signs of invaders were to be seen on ey-
cry hand, and the captain ordered a sharp
lookout to be kept on every side for boomer
camps or cabins.
The instructions were that all should be
treated firmly but gently. No harsh meas
ures were to be used, but all must be made
to understand that they must get off the
Strip at once. Everywhere in the rolling
prairie there was evidence Of the presence Of
boomers, but not living soul was to be seen
and the whole country had the appearance OF
having been stricken with q blight which
had swept off the inhabitants. Here and
there was titled ground and in some
places the furrows had undoubtedly been
turned this morning, yet nowhere could be
found man, woman or child.
There was some thing so suspicious about
this desolate appearance that Capt Wood
son decided to see what a little scouting
would develop, and sent out parties to the
right and left to search aloug the creeks and
drains for refugeSe.
Scarcely had squad deployed toward a
water course when boy on mustang was
seen to ride swiftly away, waving cloth.
Chase was given, but he evidently knew his
business, and the heavy cavalry horses were
left far in the rear. Close search in the
timber, however, revealed camp in which
were collected five families, who had fled at
the approach Of the military in the hope that
they would be passed by. They were told
to take the back track and leave the country
and shown that their remaining would in the
end cause them to be. entirely barred from
the territory when 1t was opened. They
were inclined to argue the point until they
found that they would do themselves more
harm by remaining than by going, and they
gathered up their belongings and left for
Kingfsher. They said that the timber
lodging the soldiers. and that the troops
would have hard task to find them all, as
they had scouts out in all directions and
were warned OF the approach OF the troops
In time to get to cover. In addition to this
they were familiar with the country.
man who had erected cabin and was plow-
ing small patch Of ground. His appear
ance reminded one OF the pictures Of colonial
times, where the settlers are represented
with rifles ready while they work. As
ran to the house and barred the door. When
the troops arrived he bade them defiance and
told them that he intended to remain 'in
spite of all the soldiers out Of -" Capt
Woodson dismounted his troops and told
them to prepare dinner. They went into
camp, lighted their fires, apparently uncon-
cerned as IL there was not boomer In sight.
In about half an hour the door opened and
the squatter came out. He was told that he
must get OFF the Strip at once and was hand
ed copy Of the proclamation and told that
his remaining would jeopardize his future
right to the claim He said he had been done
out of his land in Oklahoma by Jumpers and
he was going to have farm In the Strip or
some one would suffer. Finally he left for
the border