The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-04-22
HOMES IN THE NORTHWEST.
Opening of the Sisseton Reservation in
South Dakota A Great Rush For
HOmPs.

Opening of the Sisseton Reservation in
South Dakota A Great Rush For
Homes.
Browns VALLEY, Mimi, April 10
The sharp, clear note of bugle at noon
yesterday, the almost simultaneous
click of carbine, then a volley from
the whole far reaching line of cavalry
as the signal was taken up and carried
in reverberating report to thousands
of waiting men, a few more hating
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 10y Rev. Mr.. Van Horne,
of the Baptist church. One lady had
filed. She had hired a 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-
manned at the door of the land Office
since last Saturday evening.
The 12Gth 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 position to
command the entire line. At exactly IL,
Lee Slower, a local attorney, having
purchased first place, was admitted and
filed one declaratory statement and ten
dered the fling of ITO others. which
were rejected. His business was COM
pleted in minute and half and No. .
admitted.
At o'clock 1O2 filings had been made
and the speed was being constantly ac-
CELEBRATED, so it is thought the entire
line was through by night. Most of the
attorneys are following Stover's plan
and rendering all of their declaratOries
simultaneously, but few tender only
one and are found again in line at the
rear. From first to last there has been
no breach of the peace-a fact which
indicates the splendid character of the
new settlers.
Quite a number will probably lose
their claims through squatters reaching
the land first.
There is an as yet unconfrmed report
of the killing of a squatter in Grant
county, but no particulars of this or
any other serious trouble have been yet
received.
Conservative estimates of settlers who
went on the reservation yesterday are
placed at $500, while others insist that
5000 have located.
At 1855 Capt. Ellis announced to the
crowd of over 500 at Wheaton that he
would fire the signal in precisely five
minutes by his watch, and advised all
to be careful and not run into each
other.
At precisely IL he fred the shot and
the rush was on. From the boundary
line to the bluffs, mile distant, the
land is level as a floor. with gradual
rise toward the west. and it was across
this plane that the pretty race took
place. OF course those on horses soon
left the others in the rear. One party
was thrown ont of his buggy at the
start. and the team ran away, but
cavalryman caught the horses and the
occupants we're soon following the
crowd.
BY o'clock nearly every landseeker
that had made the start from Wheaton
was holding Il quarter section. 1t is
claimed that n great gumber of those
on horses that started from that point
broke sod on their claims from fifteen
TO twenty minutes from the time the
signal was given. Every person that
wanted claim got one and there seems
to be plenty of vacant land left.