The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-10-28
HERoINEs AMONG BOOMERS.
The Women of the Cherokee Strip
Rush Held Their Own.

The Women of the Cherokee Strip
Rush Held Their Own.
From the Philadelphia North American.
Abilene, Kan, Oct. 24-The telegraph
did not tell fraction of the story of the
opening of Uncle Sans last great farm -
the Cherokee strip. The part taken by
the women who, side by side with the
men. sought homes in the promised land,
and for the most part successfully, was
made up of many acts of heroism and of
considerable romance
Probably the most venturesome were
the young women who boarded the trains
that ran into the strip Immediately after
the order was given. These trains ran to
the new towns, Perry, Enid, Pond Greek,
etc. They were crowded to the last foot
hold-sides, roof and trucks being black
with humanity. There are two Ends,
two miles apart; one laid out by the gov
eminent, the other by the railroad.
Through the former the first train of 30
cars, covered with people, ran at rate of
20 miles an hour. Did it hinder people
from alighting? Not much. Men and
women leaped to the ground by the hun
dred, rolling over and over in the dust
and rising unhurt to race on to get lots.
One young lady, pretty typewriter from
st. Louis, made flying leap from the top
of one of the cars. She had a large UNI
brella which she spread and which acted
as a sort of parachute. She was not hurt,
and without stopping to brush the dirt
from her clothing, led the rush and Sc
cured lot close to the center of town,
worth at least 5000.
Others were less fortunate and were
either so stunned as to be unable to 90 on
or received broken limbs as reward for
their foolhardiness. One woman let her
self from the car window holding to her
husbands hands. When she fell, it was
to be dashed against the ties and meet
with instant death.
At Perry a pretty romance occurred
which resulted in one of the first weddings
in the territory, frankie Malvern, a
young lady from somewhere in Kansas,
entered on the first train. AS she ran
with the crowd across the town-site she
saw a lot which had no occupant. In a
moment she was on her knees driving a
stake to proclaim her ownership In Sc
curity she remained for several hours,
when voice came to her from a young
man on an adjoining lot: Say, I'm hun
CRY" $50 am - was the reply. Finally
it was agreed that the girl should watch
both lots while the other went for food
So friendship grew up, and when the
next day surveyor came along and told
the young man that his "lot'' was situated
in the middle OF the highway, his new. ac
quaintance modestly suggested that he
might share hers-and he is doing so 9'fol
better or worse" ~ "a
More tragical were the means pursued
by widow with three little ones around
her, who drove in from Arkansas City in
search of a home When she had gone a
half dozen miles, and the rushing, roar.
ing horde had left her far behind with
her emaciated horses and rickety wagon,
she saw claim upon which there ap-
peared to be no claimant. Unloading the
wagon, she prepared as best she could a
frugal meal. But over rise came a mans
form, and a well-dressed boomer proceed
ed to demand that she depart. Finally
when he saw her condition, he gracefully
divided with her, and each agreed TO take
eighty acres of land. BY and by came
his servant, bringing tent and luncheon
The widow, desiring to ask some ques-
tions regarding their location, crossed tc
the mans side and saw him digging away
at moist spot in the earth, whence soon
flowed a bounteous water supply. limo
Gently she inquired:
"When did you discover this spring."
Yesterday" replied the other, laugh
ing.
In a moment she drew revolver from
her dress and pointed it at him
Get off my claim ~ she ordered. "You
are a sooner, and were on here yesterday
in violation of the law | can prove it by
your man. Go, or I'll shoot !"
She was so fOrcible in her remarks
| that the man went. and she is holding
down her valuable claim with its spring
of pure water.
The capability of the American girl TO
take care of herself, especially when she
| is not alone, was well shown by the fate
melted out to a too yenturesome boomer by
a party of young women who had formed
sort of a syndicate for mutual protec-
| ton A dozen healthy and self-reliant
girls had gone to the strip together.
| They had two wagons, and travelled in
comfort. For several days they camped
on the edge of the promised land, and
when the signal was given made a direct
run for three sections of rich farming
land lying side by side. That meant
twelve claims, and they aimed
to so cover them that there could
be no dispute about their own
| ership. They were well ahead of the
crowd, so that no previous claimant could
disturb them. One unterritied boomer,
| however, thought he could brighten them,
and with threat to shoot her if she did
not vacate, drove one of the girls from
her claim, and proceeded to make himself
at home, picketing his horse near by. His
| security was shortlived. When night
came, he stretched out beside his camp
| fire and slept soundly. He awoke to find
! himself in the power of twelve sturdy
Young women. whose strong arms made
all his efforts at resistance useless.
With ropes they bound him to his
| saddleless horse, and hitting the excited
animal with whip sent ii galloping off
| into the night, bearing a modern Mazeppa.
There were deeds of gallantry that
| showed the innate manliness of American
! character One man, a gambler and des-
perate character along the border, made
! the race and found fine lot. Later in
~, @S~-O-CDr