The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-16

force of the town was overwhelmed and
lost in the struggle for the bridge. On
gaining the table lands mile west of the
river the crowd scattered in all directions,
soon meeting with other crowds rushing
down from the north.
VILLAGES WERE DESERTED.
Ledgerwood was deserted early in the
day, large crowds starting out early in tho
day on foot. Every kind of rig was drawn
into service and joined in the wild process
sion. All the farm teams in the neighbor-
hood were engaged at big prices. and seed
ing has been stopped for the time. Hank
inson. \. d.. also reports wild rush at
the firing of the guns. South of there
along the line Of the reserve was solid
line of men waiting. and in several in
stances half dozen made for the same
quarter section. and IN consequence
trouble is feared. party of eight men
which is supposed to De tho same as the
Browns Valley people are after. and Will
give them o good race. having five miles
less to travel.
make similar reports. At Waubay. s. d..
close to the line to the southwest. between
five and six hundred people. with picks and
spades and all kinds OF conveyances, joined
in one grand rush for the choice lands. On
the eastern border. some miles to the south
of Browns VGlley-at Wilmots-there.wa
q grand rush for q town-site. A train on
the Milwaukee road. with five hundred
people on board. pulled out for the line at
l1:2O this morning. AT the strike of 12 the
train was rushed few miles further to the
end of the track. from which place fast
mustangs carried the town-ste boomers.
These mustangs were provided by thrifty
Indians at big prices In fact. the Indian
to-day. His knowledge of the country, his
right to go on the reservation ut any time.
his horses, his guidance. his erything,
was in demand.
The on-rushing boomers -om the north,
and west, and east met In t.. reservation.
and reports of trouble. II trouble there
was. will come from those choice sections
to which different settlers raced from off
ferent boundaries. Governor Mellette. of
South Dakota, and $500 deputy sheriffs are
and instructed to MAINTAIN order. peace
fully If possible. forcibly !, necessary.
They checked several rows before serious
results ensued. Wells are being dug on all
ters apparently intend to live on their land
and in o couple of weeks breaking plows
will be at work everywhere.
IN THE POINT OF THE TRIANGLE.
Codington county, South Dakota, of
which Watertown is the county-seat, has
the sharp point of the triangle. and every
quarter section in that county was occu-
pied by from one to i've squatteI, before L
between rival claimants. but no blood has
been shed SO far as known tonight. and it
is believed the deputy sheriffs and militia
will be able to preserve order. In that To-
cality many of the sQuatters began the
erection of houses at once. A large num-
ber had houses already constructed on
wagons but the majority commenced set
tlement by digging excavations for wells
and cellars, or by blowing the soil.
made in the course of the afternoon. The
first fling was by Rev. Mr.. Van Horne, of
the Baptist Church. One woman has filed.
She had hired man to keep her place in
line. and was the fifth from the front. Pre-
Church, was also one of the applicants.
The applicants are good natured. and have
respected the system of numbering appli-
csnts in line. Qnito number will prob
reaching the land first.
Watertown was deserted early In the
day by all but q thousand men who had
places in the line of filers. A rush was
made early in the day to crush out the
head of the line. but it was unsuccessful.
Three thousand dollars was paid this morn
ing for the first place in line The party
holding it had renamed ot tho door of the
land office since last Saturday evening
The 126th place sold for S2OO. The opening
turbance. Shortly before II rope
was stretched beside the line and q
squad of militia and twenty special police
men were stationed in q position to com
Lee Stover. a local attorney. having pur-
chased first place. was admitted and filed
one declarauory. and rendered the filings of
ITO others, which were rejected. HIS busi-
half. and No. 8 was admitted. AT o'clock
102 filings had been made, and the speed
was being constantly accelerated, so that
it is thought the entire line was through
by night. Most of the attorneys arc fol-
lowing Stover'a plan and rendering all OF
their decIaratories simultaneously. but a
few tender only one, and are found again
in line ut the rear. From first to last there
has been no breach Of tho peace-a fact
which indicates the splendid character OF
the new settlers There is as yet an un-
confirmed report of the killing of squat
ter In Grant county, but no particulars oi
this or any other serious trouble have been
yet received.
of settlers who went on the reservation to-
day at twenty-five hundred, while Others
insist that over three thousand have To-
Gated.
PRETTY RACE ACROSS A PLAIN.
At 11:55 o'clock Captain Allison an
nounced to the crowd of over five hundred
at Wheaton that he would fire the sigma
in precisely five minutes by his watch, SOD
advised all to be careful and not run int,
each other. keep cool and avoid accident
in the rush if possible. At precisely IL b,
fired the shot, and the rush was on. From
the boundary line to the bluffs q mile die
tant, the land is level as @ floor, with
gradual rise toward the west, and il wa
across this plain that a pretty race tool
place. OF course, those on horses soon lef
the others IN the rear. One party wa,
thrown out of his buggy at the start anG
the team ran away. but cavalrymaI
caught the horses, and the occupants wer,
nearly every land-seeker that had made
| the start from Wheaton was holding
| quarter section of land. 1t is claimed tha
| q great number of those on horses VIII,
started from that point broke sod on thei
claims from fifteen to twenty minute
person that wanted claim got one, anl
| there seems to be plenty vacant land left
| 1t is more than likeiy that after matter
are Strengthened out there will be manl
| claims left. The squatters must prove bl
witnesses; the iilers have the land Ofiic,
for their side of the case.
| Last night the long lille of men were II
| high glee. They know il was the last nigh
out for them. When tho midnight hou
| chimed they rent the air with their cheers
cheers of gladness that the day was begun
! which, before the closing night. would SC
! Sioux valley dirt As their cheers ascende,
the stars winked and blinked and the ma
in the moon smiled approvipgly. AS i
came time for old Sol 10 put in his appear
| ance heavy fog was hanging over tn
| earth, but in his Inasterful strength h
J brushed 1t away and allowed his rays
| which had been hidden for several days. Z
1 II ehparQ6 a N