The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-18
PREACHING AND GAMBLING.
Easter Sunday Among the Oklahoma Boom
ers Congregated Near FL Reno.

Easter Sunday Among the Oklahoma Boom
ers Congregated Near FL Reno.
Ell RENO. o. T., April 17.-Easter Sunday
was day of bright promise to the boomers
gathered about the Cheyenne and Arapa-
hoe reservation, which will be thrown
open to settlement next Tuesday. Each
home-seeker was inspired With the promise
of better times for himself and family. and
with the hope OF q more prosperous life.
The day was bright and sunny, exemplify-
ing the boomers; the weather was warm
and pleasant, typical of the genialIty
which pervades the home-seekers.
1t is not genial feeling that pervades
the speculating throng. The feeling there
is one of bitterness against everything.
The soeculstors are kicking. and kicking
hard" In the first place. the rulings or
the Land Office governing the filing OF sol
diers declaratory statements Is dead
against them." as they express IL. The
ruling forbids the filing OF more than two
claims one in the filer's name and one un-
der power of attorney. Again they find fault
because their chances OF speculation are
reduced almost to q minimum by the
scarcity of money among the boomers
those who may want what the spectators
have to sell. If they are not to have any
one 10 sell to how are they going TO speou-
late. they ask. They object, toe, because
trade. and are getting away with so much
boomer money which might be better used
in the purchase of land from some kind
speculator, and so their lot Is not happy
one.
With the legitimate boomer, however
the case is much different lie Is In high
feather. The Land Office has guaranteed
him against illegal speculation. tie has -
fair field and no favor. Each one stands
as good a chance TO secure a home as any
other. There have been many rumors and
some charges that there Will not be q fair
deal at the land offices. bnt lt Is not be-
lieved the rumors can be verified or the
charges sustained; neither seem TO have
foundation in fact.
There has been talk of o fraudulent for
nation of the line before the kingnsher
land Office but such does not seem TO be-
the case. The line is made I'D of a mis-
cellaneous lot of people who have been
holding their places for some days. They
have come well acquainted with one An
other and are on friendly terms. but there
does not appear anv evidence Of conspiracy
anon them. They have been given num-
bers by Marshal Grimes, who Is included in
the conspiracy charge, but that has been
done simply TO keep the line In order as
at other Offices during land openings OF this
character. The fraudulent maps men,
toned In yesterdays dispatches are those
made by private individuals for the pur-
pose of deceiving the innocent boomer and
are not those issued by the Interior Depart
ment
Easter Sunday was generally observed
by the boomers who are gathered on the
border. With nearly every colony of
boomers there Ia either clergyman or some
devout man VITO perform clerical
duties. and services were held by them all
along the line. There were no Easter bon
nets or bright spring suits among the dew
otees. but those attending the services
were doubtless quite as devout as their
moro fashionable metropolitan brethren
al
simple and plain as the costumes of the
worshipers. There were no offertories,
Easter carols. festival choruses nor an
tbems-sImply the singing of some old
hymn with which every one was sure
TO be familiar. the offering OF SIM
pie prayer and the delivery of an
inpromptu discourse. The soft sward of
the border-land took the place of cushioned
pews, and the tail board of prairie
schooner was used as n substitute for a
carved pulpit. The congregations were
generally large. Many attended 10y force
OF habit or duty. while others were there