The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1904-03-26

lie domain and were therefore open to.
settlement.
The company of invaders assembled
on the north Line of the public do.
main and we've therefore open to sci.
Element
The company of invaders assembled
on the north line of the Cherokee out
let near Arkansas City in December.
1850 The military authorizes we're
at once notified of the movement ana
la company of Uni ed States cavalry
unaer command of Col Coppinger
was sent TO the Payne camp to pre-
vent the attempt OF me colonlsts to
enter the territory The invaders.
meanwhile had moved their camp
from Arkansas city % HunnewelL Coi
Coppinger warned The colonists that
.auy attempt to cross the line would be
resisted. The president of the United
states having issued a proclamation
to that effect The lines OF the col
'onists occupied what is known as Bit.
ter creek.
Large accesions We're made TO their
Numbers The company headed by
Cap ain Payne at this tins numbered
six hundred men and number of wo.
men and children Divine services
We're held on Sunday. December 18TH.
attended by Col Coppnger, Officers
and men and a large number of people
from the surrounding country who
We're in sympathy with the colonsts
Captain Payne and his followers had
sent a petition 20 the president of the
United States praying for a modlhca-
tion II the executive orders which for
bid entering "the promised land". Be
coming tired because Of no answer be-
ing received. DR. Robert Wilson, Of
Aus in, Texas, was appointed as a
delegate to Washington in the inter-
ests of the colonists and on the same
Jay, December "A. they broke camp
and marched 70 Caldwell Kas.. where
large party of recruits joined them
The citizens Of Caldwell in sympa ny
with the colonists held a mass meet
ing and resolutions were adopted en-
dorsIng the movement and the right of
Payne and his followers to enter the
terri ory. Another petition was pre-
pared and forwarded TO the president
asking that the colonists be allowed to
enter the territory. No aid was given
Them, however by the president or by
congress and the members OF the
noble band became disheartened and
Idisbanded. temporarily About that
time Captain Payne, the leader Of the
movement, was arrested and aiken to
( Ft. Smith. Ark, being accused of tres
passing on Indian lands, The valid
ity OF the treaty Of 1866 was again
brought into question at the trial The
/ trial resulted in his being hcil in
bonds OF $1,000. which was furnished
and he returned TO Kansas.
The FIRST expedition and efforts ct
Captain Payne had proved a failure.
The first expedition was followed by
four others. The first settlement was
made Rock Falls. in what is now
Kay county and which is about three
miles from the present site Of Bra
man, the tawn where the David l.
Payne memorial association was or
ganized two years ago Here Captain
Payne and his colony, numbering
about 700 people. started own. Sew
eral houses were built business
places opened. shelters erec ed foI
places a worship, and a number a
Improvements were made on the town
site. A newspaper the War Chief
was established, with Captain Paynf
as editor In Angus, 1887. however
the printing press was destroyed ans
the life Of the War chief" was at ar
end.
On numerous occasions the soldiers
raided the camps of Captain Payne
but he and his people were never dis
lcouraged In the least He proved him
self an Inspiration to his people, an'
was a power in the presence Of hi
company.
With a colony Of 500 people and tw
hundred and hfty wagons he made an
10 her expedition and settled near SIN
water Ia what is now Payne county
As in previous expeditions Tie sol
oilers swept down upon them ana h.
followers and dispersed them an.
Captain Payne and his officers wer'
taken 10 y Smith. Ark, where upon
being refused trial they were ake-
before the United States court al To
peka. Kas and given a trial al ths
fall term IN 1854 The court decide
that Oklahoma was public land ane
fhaf h. uraa trafffrF fF ~, r-fg.s. .. IN