New-York tribune., 1901-07-14
THE REGISTRATION RUSH.
WOMEN HAVE TO LEAVE THE RANKS
OWING TO HEAT-SOLDIERS HAVE TO
KEEP ORDER AT LAwTON. OKLA.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUSE.l

IBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNE.l
Wichita. Kan, July 13.-Ten thousand men
and women stood in the dust before the registra-
ton booths at El Reno to-day waiting 10 get
their names the lists which will probably bring
them lucky prizes in the free land drawing. be-
ginning July 30 It a quiet, orderly crowd,
organized by companies, with rowdysm
drunkenness in the line. On the other hand, at
the Lawton land office which within the borders
of the new Indian country to be opened, the crowd
was wild and unruly. and soldiers kept busy
all day. One man, unknown Mexican, attacked
soldier who tried force him into the line. and
a result the Mexican shot. but not fatally.
Several other shooting scrapes took place. but no
deaths have resulted.
With the beaming down at 10 degrees. sew
eral hundred women in line both at FL Reno and
at Lawton. forced to leave the ranks. BY
courtesy of the their places were filled by
men who had already drawn. and the clerks were
good enough to allow these women registration
tickets. which gives them an equal chance the
land drawing. There is some question, however,
whether their certificates cannot be subjected to
contest. President McKinley's proclamation
makes 1t obligatory that all except old soldiers
shall register in person Among those who were
prostrated by the heat less than twenty
young clerks from the Eastern States.
This afternoon clouds covered the for some
time. and registration proceeded rapidly. About
thirty thousand have now been registered at both
land offices. The crowds stl in on every
train Next Tuesday and Wednesday all railroads
running into the towns will make reduced
rates. and ffty thousand persons expected to
arrive In those two days The Rock Island route
is borrowing all the passenger coaches It can for
the anticipated rusn. 1t will also trains OF
fat cars in the nighttime for the accommodation
OF men anxious 10 get here. These will be
rented for transportation purposes at cheap rates
w. A. Richards. Assistant Land Commissioner
says he will be ready 10 accommodate fifteen thou
sand daily at the booths If necessary. He will add
more clerks If necessary.
At El Reno to-day narrowly averied
by the timely appearance OF soldiers. One man.
large rawhoned Texan. announced in a loud ~.
that he had paid 2 to get registered bofo-e the
others in line. lie openly accused the clerks OF
fraud. Colonel 4. K. Greene of the 9th Cavalry
was IN the crowd. with several soldiers. The
nouncement had a bad effect on those who had
stood IN line all the forenoon, and they were anx-
ious to hurt because Of the alleged favor
Itism. Many men urged the stormng Of the
booths and hunting down the guilty clerk. Colonel
Greene stepped forward and invited the stranger to
point out the clerk. promising to have the bribe-
taker put in jail. The stranger refused Soldiers
surrounded him and attempted TO drag him 10 the
booth. He fought and called for his friends. They
rescued him. and he left town at
Wichita morning paper has printed an inter
view with an unknown party accusing clerks at
the registration booths of bribetaklng The editor
has been summoned before the Land Office Depart
ment to divulge the name OF the accuser.
I'll Reno Is short on water. the public water
works gave out to-day. and people had 10 depend
on the wells at private houses for their supply.
AS result many went thirsty. Unless a man
looked though he had money he could hardly
a drink. The City Council is in a row with tho
waterworks company, and the chances that
water will be a scarce article for several days
The lemonade and pop vendors are reapng har-
vest as are the saloons. The crowds that are
6 coming I'm IN and Registering M ring now are different from
and Thursday the covered wagon brigade which
has been lying around the country all sum
mer, made rush to register. They were mostly
poor persons being long only dirty children and
dogs. The crowd to-day is what is termed the
passenger car farmers.