The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-05-23
THE RUSH FOR FARMS.
Thousands Ready to Gobble Up
the Kickapoo Country.
TROUBLE IN STORE FOR "sooNERs"

Deputy Marshais VIII Arrest All of These
Individuals Who Have Invaded the Res
ervation in Advance OF the Time Named
in the President's Proclamation.
OKLAHOMA CITY, o. T, May % ALI
night long the roads leading to the Kick
apoo country were crowded with men on
horseback going to the Kickapoo border
in anticipation Of the opening of the reser
walton to settlement at noon today. The
crowd IL much larger than was anticl
pated here. There is hardly an able bodied
man in this town this morning. The
banks have closed for the day, and the re-
port was started that q raid by outlaws
was feared.
Plenty of queer outfits are going out.
This morning a bus drawn by four horses
took out a townsite party. 1t carried big
tents and wet and dry supplies and inside
were the town projectors and the men
who will open the first hotel and restau-
rant. Ono body OF horsemen, over 100
strong, started out yesterday. They pre-
scented fine appearance as they went
through the streets four abreast with Win
chesters and canteens strapped to their
saddles.
The railroad put cheap fares into effect
on Tuesday, and the trains at midnight
came in with people standing in the aisles
OF the cars and on the platforms. Many of
them were compelled to walk the streets
oil night, as every bed in town had been
engaged. There is not horse In town for
hire and very few for sale at an enormous
price. Horses that week ago were not
worth $40 are selling for $50.
Hyatt, the Kansas boy who was first in
line at the land office, sold his place on
Tuaadav ninhh fAr Go lad hn
wants to make use of q claim. He has
been engaged to hold the place for her,
and will make the race on the land for
her.
United States Marshal Nix sent dozen
deputies into the Kickapoo county to ar
rest "sooners " and take them before
United States Commissioner Wilkinson,
who is stationed at Kiokapoo Falls. The
"sooners" are liable to a fine of 1000
each. 1t is said that some Of the "soon-
ers " are desperate men from all parts of
the country, and that the deputies are
likely to have trouble in getting them. A
man who came in from Shawnee says
that the country has already filled up
with "sooners, SO there will be moro of
that class than honest home seekers
1t was reported here yesterday that Bill
James band Of Kickapoos had been in
council on the Deep Fork since Sunday
night talking about the coming Of the
white men, which they had learned from
a man carrying the news to Chandler The
man who brought the report in said that
they were all armed and had plenty Of am
munition and numbered about 150 braves
and squaws. This band had been sullen
ever since United States Agent Neal went
among them for their names. Tho story
is laughed at, but Marshal Nix said they
might be troublesome, and he has wired
for instructions.
1t is estimated that at least 10, 900 men
will mako the run from that line, run two
miles across the Kickapoo allottments
and meet runners from the south. When
the two bodies get together trouble Is pre-
dicted. The men from the south have a
little the better Of 1t In distance, but have
an uphill run through timber, while the
others run further, but straight away. A
number of members OF New York colony
will make the run moro for amusement
than anything else.
The streets OF Oklahoma City resemble
those of Arkansas City just prior to the
opening Of the Cherokee strip. Men on
horseback and covered wagons filed
through town on their way to the border
Of the Ktckapoo country. From the cour-
try around Oklahoma at least 800 will run
for claims.
A number Of Iowa Indians will run,
claiming that as they are now citizens
they have homestead right. Others are
selling their ponies to boomers, and will
spend the money and then ask the gov
eminent to furnish more horses to them.