The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-03-12

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 coming months. Nearly two
years ago the Oklahoma boomers were
pushing their way to the Indian terri
| tory, and thousands of them were
camped beside their teams along the
southern border of Kansas, anxiously
waiting for the opening of that region 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
was hardship and suffering among them.
Some took refuge in Kansas, Missouri
and Arkansas, some driven ont by fed
eral troops, and Others made their way
to obscure regions, where they lived for
time on such provisions as they had
brought with them or as could be pro-
cured from Kansas. The boom had suf-
Tered setback, though squatters still
got into Oklahoma somehow in consid-
cradle numbers. Last year the govern
ment had trouble with the Cherokee
Indians in its negotiations for the sur
render of their lands, and this continued
till it was evident thet legal settlements
could not be made on these lands in
1890.
Many boomers were again gathered on
border at the close of the year. and
when the report came to them that
negotiations had been closed, several
hundred families struck out for the
lands in question. As the report proved
to be inaccurate they had to return to
the Kansas side of the line. The trouble
has not 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 surveyed. 1t is very certain that the
movement i'll that direction will be
heavy during the next few months, or till
every acre of the soil has its claimant.
According to recent 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, but
for northern Wisconsin. 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 line been valued that good
round sums of money have in some
cases been offered for them. At two of
these othceS short time ago the home
steaders became so turbulent that a
company of infantry was needed to keep
order. 1t is probable that by this time
nearly all the claims in the big strip
have been taken up.
There is news of heavy immigration
to the State of Washington on the Pacific
coast. 1t 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, according to the Seattle
papers, beats all the rest of the world for
raising grains, vegetables, berries, and
all sorts of family garden truck"
Nowhere else" it is said, "can man
live and flourish on so small piece of
land as in this attractive region. ."-Nec
York Sun.