The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-05-30
THE PROMISED Land.
Love, Comedy and Tragedy at the
Oklahoma Rush.

Striking Events In the Settlement of Ter
ritory Lands Women Who Outwitted
Men-Romance of Aaron McKee-Ad-
venture of Rose Lee.
Especial Correspondence
ABILENE, Kan, May 22.-Eager, restless
searchers for new lands have always had
their eyes fixed upon the Indian Territory,
and before each opening, as now in antici-
patton of the opening Of the Cherokee
strip, the excitement has reached pitch
notable for it's intensity and widespread in
fuence. Representatives of all classes of
society have gathered along the borders of
the promised lands" prepared to venture
their all Upon the rush for claims.
One Of the most thrilling stories told Of
the Oklahoma opening is that of Mary
Lane. who entered the lands from the
north with those who made the race near
Kingisher. She was accompanied by a
sick brother in her campers wagon, and
the two lived for weeks on the game she
shot and a little food she earned among the
southern Kansas farmers. When the great
day came, it was evident that it would be
folly for her to attempt to drive the huge
wagon and compete with the swifter teams
alongside. She unhitched one of thehorses,
mounted it, and at the signal raced at
breakneck speed across the level turf. She
had picked out her claim and headed direct
ly for it, but her purpose was OWNED by a
burly cowboy who rode steadily by her.
side. When they had become separated
from the skurrying throng, she halted, and
presenting revolver at the man demanded
his intentions.
IA good claim" he answered. I'VE are
on one now" she replied, land it is mine.
Do you hear?" For an answer the cowboy
hurled lariat he had coiled in his hand,
and its graceful curves went sailing toward
the defiant head Of the girl, while he quick
ly spurred his horse in an opposite direc-
tion to jerk her from her saddle the instant
the moose should alight. Itnever alighted.
With an aim that would have done credit to
nyplainsman, the intrepid woman shot the
cowboy through the heart and remained
mistress of the situation. She held her
claim, and when the excitement was over
sent for her brother. They are prospecting
and have pretty cabin home on their
splendid quarter section Of land near King
fisher.
Another tale with more romance about it
who left her office work to seek a home
among the nrairies Of the te,-ritorv She
Thought there was moro money IN town
lots than in claims and made q race for one
in Guthrie. going in on the first train into
the citv Along with the men who no,,red
across the slo,tes she buried and finally
settled upon what; promised to he a CENTRAL
" located lot In the business nortion Of tho
town. To her dismav vo1no man an
neared to have also chosen II and Damned
on the onposite end of the naralleloorarn of
earth All dav thew stood q ont ond
toward evening. nv which time each had q
smali shantv erected thew had hecone
somewhat; ACQUAINTED The naxt, dav hotb
were st,, hf,orn. and finally thev beoan talk
ing It over to find a compromises IF nossihIe
Both claimed the lot Int, tbe vouno man
did not like tn contest woman,s Claims
.aThere ia one wav >, said he at last ,sthat
we can settle tive can live on it toeetb-
en-" She agreed. and thew were married.
He is in business on that same. lot TODAY.
and they are doing well.
Two Yankee schooima' AIMS who now own
half section of the prettiest land in the
territory acquired their claims in a some
what odd way. They had agreed upon a
plan previous to the epenine, which was to
seIect two quarter sections adjoining and
build a Groom cottage on the line SO that
both could live on their claims and vet be
near each other They made the run along
with the rest in campers wagon. Their
horses were feet, and they knew from the
description given them by trappers just
WHARF, toeo. So they made rapid progress
AUD found two claims suitable.
Fhe wagon box was lifted off and placed
across the cornerstone, SO as to be part on
one claim and part On the other, and the
sisters prepared to live out the allotted
time. They We're even willing to forego
their cottage II the weather kept warm.
Yheir contentment was short lived. Two
days thereafter smoke was seen issuing
from valley or ravine on the opposite cor
mars OF the claims. There were rivals near.
They ventured forth that evening on tour
of inspection and found small cabin with
hunters belongings scattered generously
around inside. With angry faces they at
tackled the place and unceremoniously set
everything out Of doors, making the cabin
look desolate enough. Then they ran for