The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1892-04-23
HOMES in THE NORTHWEST.

Opening Of the SisSetOn Reservation in
South Dakota "A Great Rush For
Homes.
BRowN's VALLEY, Mimi, April 16.-
The sharp, clear note of bugle at noon
yesterday, the almost simultaneous
click of a C{Srbine, then volley from
the whole far reaching line of cavalry
as the signal was taken up and carried
in a reverberating report to thousands
of waiting men, few more halting
shots becoming fainter as the distance
increased and the Sisseton reservation
was at last open.
The military withdrew from the bor-
der and rejoined their companies. From
the brush all along the shore of the
Minnesota river, from ravines hitherto
held to be unpopulated, from every con-
ceivable spot bordering on the reserva-
ton that could shelter man, horse or
wagon there sprang hordes of home
seekers.
There were numerous alterations be-
tween rival claimants, but no blood has
been shed so far as is known, and it is
believed the deputy sheriffs and militia
will be able to preserve order. In that
locality many of the squatters began
the erection of houses at once, A large
number had houses already constructed
on wagons, but the majority commenced
settlement by digging excavations for
wells and cellars or by blowing.
At Fargo, about 100 filings were made
in the course of the afternoon. The
first filing was by Rev. Mr.. Van Horne,
of the Baptist church. One lady had
fled. She had hired man to keep her
place in line and was the fifth from the
'front.' Presiding Elder Cooper, of the
Methodist church, was also one of the
applicants. The applicants are good
natured and have respected the system
of numbering applicants in line, and the
tilers all got their applications in yes
terday afternoon.
Watertown was deserted early in the
day by all but the 1000 men who had
places in the line of filers. A rush was
made early in the day to crowd out the
head of the line, but it was unsuccess-
full. Three thousand dollars was paid
yesterday morning for the first place in
the line. The party holding it has re-
mained at the door of the land office
since last Saturday evening.
The 126th place sold for 5000. The
opening occurred without a slip and
without disturbance. Shortly before Il
a rope was stretched beside the line and
a squad of militia and twenty police
men were stationed in a position tc
command the entire line. At exactly 12
Lee Slower. a local attorney, having
| purchased first place, was admitted anC
fled one declaratory statement and ten
dered the fling of 10 others, which
were rejected. His business was com
pleted in minute and half and No.
admitted.
At o'clock 102 filings had been made
and the speed was being constantly ac
celerated, so it is thought the entire
line was through by night. Most of th'
attorneys are following Stover's pla1
and rendering all of their declaratories
simultaneously, but few tender only
one and are found again in line at tn,
rear. From first to last there has beer
no breach of the peace-a fact which
indicates the splendid character of tn,
new settlers.
Quite a number will probably los,
their claims through squatters reaching
the land first.
There is an as yet unconfirmed repor
of the killing of squatter in Gran
county, but no particulars of this o.
any other serious trouble have been ye
received.
Conservative estimates of settlers whC
went on the reservation yesterday are
placed at $500, while others insist tha-
3, 600 have located.
At 1855 Capt. Ellis announced to tn,
crowd of over 500 at Wheaton that h,
would fire the signal in precisely fiv,
minutes by his watch, and advised al
to be careful and not run Ato eacl
other.
At precisely 12 he fred the shot anC
the rush was on. From the boundary
line to the bluffs, a mile distant, th'
land is level as floor, with gradua
rise toward the west, and it was acros
this plane that the pretty race tool
place. OF course those on horses soo1
left the others in the rear. One part,
was thrown out of his buggy at tn
start. and the team ran away, but F.;
cavalryman caught the horses and tn
occupants were soon following tn
crowd.
By o'clock nearly every landseeke
that had made the start from Wheatol
was holding quarter section. 1t i
claimed that great gumber of thos
on horses that started from that poin
broke sod on their claims from fiftee
to twenty minutes from the time tn
signal was given. Every person tina
wanted claim got one and there seem
| TO he nlentv of vacant land left.