The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-09-20

KANSAS CITY, Sept. 13.-One hun
bred degrees Of heat in the shade, the
air filled with a suffocating dust and
one of Kansas noted hot winds blow
ing across the parched prairies as If
straight from the mouth of a seven
times heated furnace, were the severe
conditions the boomers along the Cher
okee line were forced to endure today.
Some of them could not endure it and
succumbed. Some rallied, but others
died. At this place over fifty were over
come by the heat, most Of those being
among those who were standing in line
before the registration booths. OF those
stricken six have died. while others are
in a dangerous condition.
At Caldwell twenty were sunstruck.
Two died. At Orlando twenty-five sun
strokes were reported and two deaths.
and at Hennessey eighteen with one
death. The sun went down in clear
sky this evening, and the indications are
that the weather tomorrow will be a
repetition of today.
The crash at the registration booths
at this place has become so great that
from now on they will be kept open
twenty-four hours, with day and night
forces Of clerks at work. During the
three days ending tonight 1880 claims
were issued. If the same proportion is
maintained the three succeeding days
the number Of home-seekers who will
make the race for homes at noon Satur-
day will be IN the neighborhood of As
900. The total number Of certificates
seekers, for most Of the boomers take
out certificates for both homesteads
and town lots.
The Hot Wave.
The day was intensely hot and a hot
wind which burns up all vegetation and
does not temper the suns heat blew over
the prairie. raising the dust and playing
mischief with the boomers. Those stand
ing in front of the registration booths
suffered the most. During the morning
eighteen men were Frustrated In the
line and were carried away by their
friends. Two Of them died before medi-
cal aid could be found. AS the day pro-
crossed others fell out Of the ranks ex-
hausted. and before the cool OF the night
brought relief a total Of thirty sun
strokes and six deaths had been re-
ported. The names OF the dead could
not be ascertained.
Chief Clerk Jacobs OF the general land
Office. who has charge of the registra-
ton Of home-seekers. had added force
Of clerks to those engaged in registration
here and the booths will be kept open
day and night hereafter. The work Of
registration will thus be greatly facili-
tated and all will have the opportunity
Of securing certificates. This action has
caused much rejoicing among the BOOM
ers.
A Drunken Fight.
At o'clock this morning a serious
fight took place near the booths A
gambler drove out in a carriage with
two women to see the sights. A couple
Of drunken soldiers took after the women
and their companion attempted 70 de-
fend them. He took a bottle of whisky
out Of his pocket and proceeded TO beat
one Of the soldiers over the head with
It. The soldier tried to get at his re-
volver. but not succeeding, the other
soldier got it and commenced to shoot
wildly. He created a panic among the
boomers. who fled in all directions. The
sheriff coming up at this time on a horse,
got in line Of the bullets and his horse
was killed. The officers and other troops
coming up, secured the drunken soldiers.
The Santa Fe brought in sixty-five car
loads Of hOme-seeking excursionists.
Some Of them came 10 take up home
steads. but the big majority came sim
ply to see the fun and will return when
It is all over. The sooner" is trying to
get in his work again At Orlando to-
day the soldiers brought ffty-three
''sooners" into camp and more are re-
ported TO be concealed along the streams
in the forbidden land.
"sOOners" Captured.
TIE men who were captured yesterday
protest that they crossed the border in
good faith. They all bear certificates Of
registration and they claim that they
thought the certificates entitled them to
enter the strip and take up homesteads.
Their story was not credited and they
were deprived Of their certificates and
will not be permitted 10 take up land.
The boomers at Orlando. in order to get
rid Of spectators, would not permit any
one I'm line TO take their places. In
consequence the line thinned out ma
terially today and Is now composed who'll
ly Of bona fide homeseekers. Two Of
the twenty persons who were overcome
by the heat today have died, one Of them
being Kate Sayles OF Mcpherson, Kas.
The name Of the other is not known.
This has been the hottest day OF the
season and the suffering among the
boomers is intense.
Reports from Saltwater are that hun
dreds are arriving there every hour, and
It Is said that since Monday the crowd
has been almost as large as yesterday.
A band of Texans left there today and
came 10 Orlando. hoping To register more