Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-04-23
EAGER FOR HOMES.


Browns VALLEY, Mimi, April TO-
Under q warm and glorious sun the
great Sisseton reservation was thrown
open to the public at 10 o'clock Friday,
and though the rush over the line was
milder than most people expected, it
was sufficiently exciting and pictur-
esque to please anybody. In fact, 1t was
wildly exciting, and one Of the strong
est pictures ever expressed to mortal
eyes. Over 1000 eager home-seekers
were scattered and strung out for miles,
the line of human beings disappearing
in the distance Many were mounted
ON bronuos, ot,-srs on livery horses,
many in w gons, all anxious for the
signal for the race. Many were on
foot, waiting, hoping and devoured by
nervousness.
Men stood with one foot almost on
the line with their bodies bent forward
as sprinter awaits signal. Twelve
o'clock came. Up went Col. Barnard's
right hand. The bugle pealed forth
the order. Firing began instantly.
The guards along the line took up the
signal, the roar of the carbincs sound
ing fainter and fainter till it died
away.
A wild scene followed. The long line
of human beings crossed the reservation
line like flash. 1t was mad race of
man against animal. Through the long
line shot the Indian guides and their
charges mounted on feet-footed broncos
and riding as if for their lives They
were soon mere specks on the plain.
Then came others on livery horses, LASH
Il
wind, though the gait could not last.
Away off to the north the horses ap-
peared as if out of the ground and for
miles could be seen that wild chase
over the plains, the specks finally
.stringing out in one long chain and
soon disappearing. Down the de-
,clines, over ruts, stones and every
thing in their way rushed buck
boards, spring and heavy wagons, in
each case the driver standing up and
lashing the team like one possessed. In
some were seated women hanging
tenaciously to the vehicle as it bounded
into the air and crashed to earth again.
A young woman dashed by on bronco
and by her side rode Sioux. Where
they had come from no one knew. They
were late but they were going at rail-
road speed. Those who had fastened
at the first signal were rapidly coming
to halt. Their steeds were exhausted,
and those who started slowly at first
now began to appear and forge ahead.
At least half dozen became utterly
discouraged and turned back towards
Browns Valley. They had been de-
.ceived in the horses and many were
ready to drop dead with fatigue.
Between $500 and 5000 settlements
will be made. An Indian courier who
has just arrived states that already GER
tain parts of the reservation show a
surprising change.
1t is now believed that not over 2, 500
persons have located claims and that
there will be good lands vacant for a
week to come. Many are trusting to
this. and large crowd will leave here
with guides to-day on the search. Most
of the people in the great rush at noon
carried compasses. Army officers
assert that there were over 500 people
located in the reservation in In
dian huts in the brush to the west and
in the ravines, where the eye of the
soldier as he sped along could not reach
them.
At the long bridge, l6 mics from
here, and on the border line, s miles
from Wheaton, there was great clash
The crowds from Wheaton, those from
the lake basin and the border line
northeast of there, all came together
in confused mass, all striving
to reach the coveted lands neal
the town site in township 1877
range 81. There We're several fierce
brawls, in which many men were
roughly handled, but no blood wa.
shed Lieut.. Crabbs thinks there will
be some mean fighting in the north
ern sections. Hundreds of men arr
crowdipg there from Browns Valley
Wheaton. White Rock, Hanliinson ant
other points, and, as these are the bes
lands, all will make desperate effor
to secure them.
Miss Stanfer, of North Dakota; Mis-
Dehart, Mrs. Osborne and Mrs. Bur
nett. of Minneapolis, and Miss Sharp
all RETAINED Friday night happy in tn
fact that they located good claims clos
to the town site. They sat up all nigh
in a tent, and it was a merry part
throughout. Though determined t
locate they We're materially assisted b.
the men, who had pledged their assis,
ance and protection.
[Tle Ssseton Indian reservation surplu
lands that were opened to settlement at moo
Friday are located in the northeastern corne
of South Dakota, covering most Of Rober
county, tapping over on the edge Of Ma
shall and Day counties, crossing the pal
handle OF Grant and the sharp point
the trianguar.shaped reservation O,
tending down to the center of Coddington,
few miles from WATERFOWL The norther
basa of the triangle extends over into Sarger
and Richland counties in North Dakota, an
for that reason filings may bo made at Farg,
The lands are rich and numerous lakes cove
the entire extent OF the reservation, goo
portion of which Is wooded and OF q hill
character. In fact the character Of the land
geheots much credit on the judgment OF the Si
seton Indians, who chose this land as their r.
ward for their help to the settlers in the India
war OF 1862. For nearly thirty years they hel