Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-04-16
THE EXCITING SCENES
Attendant Upon Opening the Indian
lnpdS in Dakota.
THE RACING ACROSS THE PRAIRIE
To The Town Sitss-2OOO People Ready to Start at
the Signal That it Was Noon-A Young
Lady and Her Brother Lead
All The Boomers
THE RACING ACROSS THE PRAIRIE

ST. PAUL, MIN, April 15.-Beauti-
4 full spring weather prevails here, and
from an reports thus far received from
the Sisseton reservation the same kind
is being enjoyed there, at least over
head
Under foot there is q sea OF mud
caused by the heavy rains Of the past
week, and the land seekers and boomers
found il no easy matter TO make fast
records in their race across the reserya-
tion.
The Milwaukee road had its special
train ready at WlmOt early In the
morning, and all the seats had been
taken before, so that $50 or more BOOM
ers. unable TO secure transportation on
the first train, have tramped and rid
den through the mud 70 Browns Val
lrv 10 make the rush from there. The
first OF these reached Browns Valley
last night and the others have been
struggling in since, weary and muddy,
but eager for the race. Similar condi-
tions existed az other places although
the crowd is probably greatest at
Browns Valley, that place being nearest
TO the best land.
The great danger OF fights in the Sc
curing OF claims is among the SQuatters.
but there is promise Of endless litiga-
tion between the SQuatterS and hlerS,
and the crowds az WatertOwn and Fargo
who are i'm line with filings are greatly
worried lest the sQuatters may have the
better right.
Daylight to-day found the line fight
ers ready for business. So we'll guard
ed did the boundary seem TO be, how
ever. that the long line OF restless men
appeared as living marks 20 show the
boundaries. S0ldlers gave added life TO
1.-THE scene as they galloped up and down
warning back the Over-eager, overhaul
ling such as attempted 70 slip through
the military line into the Coteau In the
Npromised land ana awaiting the signal
gun that should relieve them from
\ somewhat irksOme task.
Major Bernard has laid his plans well,
ksnd All have an equal chance so far as
1.-THE government can give IL. IL simply
Mbecomes a matter Of speed and endur-
nance. The various officers have COM
H1ared time pieces and promptly at noon
II the signal guns gave the word 10 'go.
Major Bernard's bugler announced az
n Browns Valley, and as the bugle notes
j were sounded from a hilltop on the
A boundary, the rapid firing Of muskets
carried the word along the line, and the
home seekers, whom much waiting ana
Worrying and hard fare had apparently
exhausted, seemed imbued with new
life and started of for new homes. The
mud had no terrors and pools Of water,
even small lakes, did not diSmay them,
hut ar we're of in the mad rush for
. land at $3.50 an acre atte fourteen
4 months residence.
The ubiquitous country editor was
right in line on a white mustang pony
ready TO ride for claim near town.
I The doctor, the clergyman, who wanted
I 10 take a claim for his health, and the
| county policeman are all TO be seen In
4 the crowd waiting for the signal
The sharp, clear note Of bugle az
noon. the almost simultaneous crack or
a carbipe. then vOlley from the whole
D FAR reaching line Of cavalry as the
signal was taken up and carried in a
reverberating report TO the waiting
ears. a few more halting shots, and
Sisseton reservation was at last
Iopen. The military withdrew from the
'border and rejOined their companies
From the brush all along the shore Of
the Minnesota river, from the ravines
hitherto held % be unDOpulated from
Rverv conceivable spot, bordering on the
Reservation that could shelter a man.
horse or wagon, there sprang hordeS OF
nome seekers.
Five hundred teams plunged for
lard. Horses snorted and started
Madly across the prairie with their
tders regardless Of trail or direction.
In cavalry man fell from his horse and
lis revolver discharged az random.
HE horseback riders soon took the
Mad. Then came a powerful team OF
Hack horses which seemed good for
Isn mile run.
The crowd was soon left behind. In
Ahls buggy was Miss Burnett, a young
lady graduate Of the University Of Min
As She and her brother were OF
IN, new town site, and as the long
Ade OF plunging horses disap-
IN over the hill in the distance the
lack team was still ahead.
the crack of the carbiues, 100
dashed madly forward urged 70
't te speed by their excited riders.
M ere bound for the SiSSetOn City
M lice. Struggling along TO the
MI ne loaded wagons with from two
NJ brses in each. They were LASH
In hrcifully by their drivers. The
III OF whips, the dull thunder of
.0 the damp sod aud the
s0 f the drivers as they
for the lead filed the
unwonted din. Still further 20
N came those without convey
ID strugglinu forward with their
tools. until the reserve was
ith them. The mounted crowd
bevond the range Of vision,
M hev disappeared they were seen
asiderably lstrung OUT the leaders
identity saving their strength lot
Id run at tpe finish.
Far up the lake, party was crossing
boats. Indian teams were waiting on
~ bank aboSe the water. They sue
seded in e ktering the reserve nVe
Lies aheadf of the crowd scattered
Me4g the roah from Browns Valley.
M'\>e Bur4stt, graduate OF the
ikn.\Csitv y Minnesota, 3 striEingly
3hns\ gSl, is probably By this tiPe
IA Of the choicest sect
kont 10 site to the nOrthWf
r. haS q suspicion Of Indian
bar v Md is a descendant pm Y
o,v 80 She has been allotted
- ve. Behind the
O. bic. she was drawn
a the agency. The ria