The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-09-22
SETTLED THE STRIP
ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE
MAKE THE RUN FOR LAND.
-Four sOoners Shot Down by Soldiers Mean
stilrwater-Registratio Booths at Or
Iando ROBbed-scenes and Incidents OF
the Opening Day.

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan, Sept. 49,
At 12 o'clock the bars that have so long
enclosed Q, 000, 900 acres of public land
were let down, and over 100, 900 men and
women joined in the mad rush for land
and lots. Half dozen times before the
hour someone would shout the hour of
noon, and from 90 to 100 horsemen
would dart out of the line, only to be
driven back by the cavalrymen who
were patrolling the Strip in front of the
impatient throng. At last puff of
smoFe was seen out on the plains to the
north, and soon a dull report of can
non was heard. A dozen carbines along
the line were fired in response to the
signal, and the line was broken, riders
darting out at breakneck speed, and
soon dotted the plain in every direction.
Following them came light vehicles, the
drivers yelling and urging their horses
with whip as we'll as voice. Then came
heavier wagons, enveloped in clouds of
dust, the noise made by their wheels re-
sembling long-continued roll calls. Be-
hind these came anxious footmen, carry
ing blankets, water and stakes, regard
less of the heat and dust. Be.
fore them was the unknown, be-
hind them were all the discomforts
of that hell upon earth, Orlando. The
trains were loaded rapidly. At first
there was an attempt to get registration
certificates. but this was soon given up,
as the rushing thousands pushed past
those ahead of them, the trainmen Civ
ing all their time to collecting the
tickets. The first train of IL cars pulled
across the line at noon, crowded as
trains never were before. Platforms
and roofs of cars were as black with
human life as were the insides. Fol-
lowing this train, with an interval of
only two or three minutes, went an
other and another until the last had
pulled across the line, followed by at
least 5000 disappointed, painting men.
The run to Perry was made in three
quarters of an hour. Before the train
stopped men began climbing off and
jumping from the platform in their
haste to secure the claims. Ahead of
the train were at least 1000 horsemen,
who had come over the 10 miles in an
unprecedented short time and claimed
all the lots Immediately abouS the land
Office a.Id the people were rubbing down
their weary horses as the trains were UNI
loading. Soon the last of the trains
pulled in and the scramble for land con-
tinued with increased vigor. The Sec
ond sections about town had all been
taken up, but in every direction lines
were being run and additional towns
laid out to be called North Perry, South
Perry, East Perry and West Perry. By
o'clock fully 10000 men and women
of all nationalities and colors were on
the site of what all hope will be great
city, without food and without water.
ORLANDO, Sept. 16.-The registration
booths here were robbed of certificates
and the official stamp last night. A
thousand forged certificates are on the
market today. Four ''sooners" were
shot by soldiers north of Saltwater.
Justin Craig of Indiana was accident
ally shot in camp and Tom Mason, col
ored, was burned to death in prairie
fire. One soldier was shot by cowboy
sooner near Kildare.