The morning call., 1892-04-20
Opening Of the Cheyenne and Arapahee
Reservations.
RACING FOR QUARTER SECTIONS OF LAND.
10WnSites Black With Excited Settlers 20, 900
Boomers Invade the Indian Territory.
Seven New Cities Rise in Day.
speciai to THE MORNING CALI

Ell RENO, o. T.. April 49, - 1t was q
lucky thing for many of the boomers that
the wait on the border ended to-day. They
had gone to the front with scant supplies
and stood it as long as they could. Around
the border OF the county yesterday men went
gun in hand, demanding that those who
had provisions should sell them. A light
rain falling when the start was made de-
prived the scene of much of the picturesque
character. but did not dampen the enthus-
asm.
Precisely at noon. as provided by the
Presidents proclamation, cannon thun-
dered forth the signal, carbines repeated it,
and 10000 men, on horseback, in wagons and
on foot, rushed into the Cheyenne and
Arapahoe country. Under whip and spur.
everybody was rushing over fiat and hollow,
madly rushing for quarter-sections and
town lots. The soldiers guarded the line as
well as possible, aud were assisted BY the
boomers themselves, who saw TO it that no
one should secure and advantage.
The greatest crowds were at points near
Watonga and Rossmore. seats of the coun-
ties of c and Ill. Wstonga is twenty-five
miles from the line and Rossmore forty.
Every man seemed to know just where he
was going, and headed for his longed-for
land without bestowing glance as to the
other rushers. A few wheels were lost near
the line, and many more will be left Ia the
gulies this afternoon, but no serious acci-
dents are reported. The special train over
the road from Oklahoma dumped its load at
the Rock Island crossing few moments
alter noon. The crowd from FL Reno.
which had town organization complete,
reached the land at the same time. The site
was black with men within half an hour
after the opening.
KINGFIsHER, o. T., April l9.-The area
of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe reservation
opened to-day is much larger than generally
supposed. 1t would make two Oklahomas
or five Rhode Islands. IL contains 100000
acres. After the Indian allotmentS are
taken oat there will remain 3,500,000 acres,
or enough TO give 100 acres each TO %, 600
settlers outside the townsites. The best
lands have been taken by the Indians, and
many of the boomers will be soreiy disap-
pointed in the character Of their land when
they attempt to cultivate lt.
An Associated Press correspondent was
kicked to-day by an Indian pony. breaking
one arm and lntilctiDg severe wound over
his left eye. The activity of the boomer is
very great. Okarsehe has been built in a
day, and 1t covers a territory of nearly two
miles square. the population tonight ex-
ceeding that OF kingh, her and FL Reno. The
indications are that the Indians are diSsatis-
fed with the outlook, and are surprised at
the vast number OF palefaces invading the
Territory. Hundreds of wagons laden with
supplies left for the new county seats to-
day, and tonight no less than seven new
cities are booming in the wilderness. The
quiet and order prevailing Ia phenomenal,
and indicates that the settlers are law -abid-
ing and desirable citizens.
GUTHRIE, o. r, April 10 1t is reported
from Oklahoma City that riot took place
among the claim-fiIe at the land office to-
day and that several people were injured.
Miss Connie Sorensen Of this place, who
went To Oklahoma City this morning, filed
a declaration notice and has returned. She
was among the first admitted TO the land
Office. She says that while filing her notice
the opponents of the "seat-warmers" made
an attack upon the line and q riot resulted.
Several people were knocked down ana
trampled upon, among them being woman,
most of whose clothes were torn Off. One
man, unknown, was struck ON the head and
had his skull fractured and is believed to be
fatally injured. A number of others were
seriously hurt.
HIGGINS. Tex. April 14.-Oyer 1000
boomers made a race into the Cheyenne
and Arapaho reservation from the border
opposite this place. From the northern and
western borders fully four times that num-
Der entered the lands. Only claims were
taken up near the borders.