The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-06-30
LAND HUNGRY IN A
RUSH ON ROSEBUD.
Seven Thousand Already Cath
cred at Bonesteel for the
Opening July 5.
Special to The journal.

nome. IL Is CHailSeu HOW dIlu lAey
all lead to Bonesteel. And from the
looks of this town, everybody has TAX
en- to the road that leads, by the way
of Bonesteel, to the Rosebud Indian
country, a large part Of which Is to be
thrown open for settlement early next
week.
Miles and miles before the trains,
which are crowded to their utmost ca
pacity, come within sight of the town,
the would-be settlers on horse back, in
wagons and some even on foot, can
be seen vending their way along the
old Indian trail which in later years
was made into a government road,
bent on reaching Bonesteel, where the
greatest rush is expected when the
registration begins Tuesday morning.
In the town proper, hundreds Of
seekers after lands are camped in
tents and wagons, while still others
are greeted in the dozens Of frail
hastily thrown together.
Two years ago Bonesteel consisted
of one lone country store Two
months ago it was a thriving town OF
1000, with several good substantial
buildings. To-day, 1t is q city Of
in tents and roominghouses. On
July 4, it is estimated that $1,000 per-
sons will be here and the vigorous and
thrifty citizens are making prepara-
lions for from 5000 to IS, 900 when,
on July 5, Commissioner Richards
hall and admits the waiting throngs to
the registrars.
humiliation of Gamblers.
Saloons there are, and gambling
dens galore. Never in the palmy days
Of Deadwood was gambling more rife
than in Bonesteel. Just about every
a m
pubiic resorts. And yet there is no
lawlessness There are only half a
dozen policemen, but next week the
number Of officers will be increased to
fifty, ten Of whom will be United
States marshals. Besides, there will
be three companies Of United States
REGULARS" from Fort Niobrara, who
will assist in preserving order during
the grand rush.
The ground rents are something
awful. James Coyle owns a small lot
valued the lot at $4,000. Six months
ago it was worth probably 500. To-
day, Coyle asks $4,000 for the ground
rent for the next sixty days, any build
ing erected to remain on the lot when
1t is returned to him. And he will get
A f1ve-room residence is rented for
the next two months at $3.50 a month.
A small space 5x12 feet, between two
stores, is rented for $40 a month.
Davis Forbes rented a corner lot for
$500 and erected a $50 building. He
is now offered $500 for his bargain.
And yet, with all these fabulous
prices, the best meal in the town can
be had for SO cents and a good one
at rs cents. Cots are priced at 70
cents and rooms for two at only SO
cents for each person. The citizens
are bent on making money more from
the number present rather than from
any single individual.
Opposed to Extortion.
D. w. Forbes, president of the
Commercial club, speaking along thu
lines Of prices, says In making
preparations for this rush, the bust
ness men Of the town held q meeting
and signed scale Of maximum rates
which will be charged. For instance
a liveryman's charge for taking on
passenger for half days drive oveI
the reservation is only 81. Every
thing else is in the same proportion
We want every prospective home
steader to feel that he can come t,
Bonesteel and know that he will no
be robbed"
According to several professional
locators, Oklahoma will probably fur
4 nish more would-be homesteader
j than any state in the union. Michi
gan and Wisconsin come next Will
4 Iowa and Illinois will also be heavil,
4 represented. Minnesota and Nebras
q ka will send large quotas, and numer
8 Gus inquiries have been received from
a Kansas. In fact, those states wh1c1
were settled by homesteaders Orig1
A nally are sending their young son
I and daughters to settle the Rosebu
y country. They know what the fire
a homes did for the older states, an
T will repeat the operations of the LAY
out here.
Special arrangements have bee
made for unmarried women VIII
come to the town. The Congrega
tional church has appointed a com
mittee to take charge of all such, an
exclusive roominghouses and tent
are reserved for them. Members G
this committee will meet all trains.
Commissioner Richards is expecte
Friday and will bring with him a spe
cial car of experienced clerks fror
the Washington office. The head
!! quarters will be established In tn
: new city hall and long lines Of soldier
will be drawn up, thru which tn
homesteaders will pass. From pre-:
ent appearances the line will b
formed several days before the morr
ing of July 5. 1ts