Milford chronicle., 1891-03-20
The WESTERN BOOMERS.

Teas Of Thousands of People Seeking
Homes in Far on Regions.
The rush to the new lands that are now
open for settlement in several parts Of the
west is going on, and there is no doubt that
it will be increased largely during the com
ing months. Nearly two years ago the
Oklahoma boomers were pushing their
way to the Indian Territory, and thousands
of them we're cainped beside their teams
along the southern border of Kansas, anX-
iously waiting for the opening Of that re
giOn to settlers.
Many of them crossed the line before they
had the right to do so, and as no crops could
then be raised there were hardships and
suffering among them. Some took refuge
in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas, some
were driven out by Federal troops and
others made their way to obscure regions.
where they lived for a time on such pro-
visions as they had brought with them or
as could be procured from Kansas. The
boom had suffered a setback, though
souatters still got into Oklahoma somehow
ia considerable numbers Last year the
government had trouble with the Cherokee
Indians in its negotiations for the surren-
der Of their lands, and this continued till it
was evident that legal settlements could
not be made on these lands in 1890.
Many boomers were again gathered on
the border at the close Of the year, and
when the report came to them that negO-
tiatiOns had been closed several hundred
families struck out for the lands in ques-
tiOn. As the report proved to be inaccu-
rate, they had to return to the Kansas side
Of the line. The trouble has not yet been
brought to a satisfactory termination, but
as the adjacent lands Of the Sac and Fox
Indians are now open by treaty the new
settlers have begun to take up claims
there. though the land is not yet surveyed.
It is very certain that the movement in
that direction will be heavy during the
next few months, OF till every acre Of the
soil has its claimant. According to n re-
cent dispatch, the "town lot boomers" are
especially busy there at this time.
1t is not only to Oklahoma that the land
hunters are bound Just now. Recently
printed dispatches from northern Wiseon-
sin describe the rush to the big strip that
has been opened to claimants there. At
the land Offices in Ashland, Wausau and
Eau Claire thousands of settlers have stood
in line awaiting their turn to file their
claims, and so highly have advanced places
in the line been valued that round sums Of
money have in some cases been offered for
them, At two Of these Offices a short time
ago the hOmesteaders became so turbulent
that a company of infantry was needed to
keep order It is probable that by this
time nearly all the claims in the big strip
have been taken up.
There is news also of heavy immigra-
ton to the state Of Washington on the Pa
eific coast. It has been in progress during
the winter months, and is now very sure Of
enlargement. The papers there do all they
can to encourage it by publishing accounts
Of the fine climate and fertile soil Of the
state, especially those parts of it west Of
the Cascade range and along the rivers
that empty into Puget sound, which, ac-
cOrding to the Seattle papers, beat all the
rest of the world for raising grains, vege
tables, berries and all sorts Of family gar
den truck Nowhere else, so it is said,
"can man live and flourish on so small a
piece of land as in this attractive region"
New York Sun.