The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-08-12
GREAT CROWDS
ALREADY GATHERED

Minot, N. D., Aug. 12.--Minot today
Is the scene Of a blk crowd of land
seekers who have arrived to register
at the opening Of the Fort Berthole
Indian reservation, which viii begin
at midnight tomorrow. Every incom-
ing train during the last twenty-four
hours has been filled with the land
hungry. The hills sl1irting the city
are lined with covered wagons of those
who have come across the country to
save railroad fare, and the hotels and
boarding houses are filled to overflow
Ing.
Judge Witten gave his instructions
as to the manner in which the crowds
were to be handled at meeting of the
Ward county notaries last night. The
government officials are taking every
possible precaution to prevent a repe-
tition of the troubles that occurred
at several land openings in the middle
west. According to the instructions
Of Judge Witten, all persons will be
required to register at one place, where
adequate police protection will be fur
nished. About fifty notaries, who will
assist the applicants to make out the
application blanks and will take the
acknowledgements will be at the reg
istration building and night and day
from Au. IA until Sept. the registra-
ton will continue.
The government officials have asked
the assistance Of the police department
of Minot In handling the crowds. Chief
of Police Elmer J. Smith has appointed
score of special deputies who will
be on duty night and day during the
registration period. Sheriff Ed Kelley
has also enlarged his force. Similar ar
rangements have been made at the
other registration points. At Plaza,
the nearest point to the reservation,
Deputy Sam Stafford has been placed
in charge of the crowds, and Sheriff
James Dolan of Mountrail county has
detailed several assistants to assist
Mr.. Stafford. Several Ward county
deputies have been sent to Ryder, the
second registration point in this coun-
ty, and word from Bismarck states
that the police officials of the city
and sheriff of Burleigh county are co.
operating to preserve order.
u. S. Commissioner George j. Smith
of Plaza was in Minot today con-
ferring with Judge Witten regarding
the opening. I'VE expect about 10000
people to register at Plaza said Mr..
Smith. 1.-TWO coaches of immigrants
came in today, and every train is
bringing in large numbers. Many pros
pective homeseekers are already
camping on the reservation, which is
only mile and a half from the city.
We expect about 1000 people to regis
ter Monday, and are making arrange
ments to take care of as high as 5000
visitors In Plaza a day States Atty.
A. l.. Miller of Mountrail county will
make his headquarters at Plaza dur
ing the registration and several depu-
ties have been assigned to our city
by Sheriff Dolan."
Although the first man to register
has no advantage over the last man
who files his application, there prom
Uses to be considerable rivalry among
the applicants for the honor of being
the first to register. The appearance
of Lucky Bob st. Henry, who will
make flights in his Curtiss bi-plane
at the Minot fair grounds on the flrst
and second registration days, in the
opinion Of the government officials will
make the first two days the busiest at
the Minot headquarters. AT Bismarck
the attendance at the registration will
be increased by the fact that the state
Industrial exposition will be held dur
ing the registration period under the
auspices of state Agricultural Commits
sioner w. G. Gilbreath.
The plan decided upon by Judge Wit
ten In his conference with the notaries
last night provides for central place
of registration. When the applicant
enters the building, he will confront
a cashier to whom he must pay rs
cents, the notarial fee. The cashier
will give him an application blank
and an envelope, addressed to the SUI
perintendent at Minot, N. d. The APP
plicant viii be asked to state on the
blank whether be Is a qualified entry
man, citizen Of the United States
Or has declared his intention to be-
come one that he does not own more
than 1e0 acres Of land, and he must
| state his name, address. age, weight
and color Of his hair and eyes. The
applicant will leave the building with
the application blank acknowledged by
one Of the nofaries. and ali that re-
mains for him to do Is to drop the en-