The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-11-15
falling asleep. "

1t Is possible that Payne may have had some
of the adventures with Indians which Buel and
the other writer's attribute to him at this time
But one Is inclined to doubt some of the details
OF this yarn In View of Clusters simple state
ment that after the rescue of the two white
women. the Kansas volunteer troops marched
back to Fort Hays where they were mustered
out OF service"
But whatever Payne's record as an Indian
fighter was, politics next occupied his attention
and In 1870 he elected to the Kansas legis-
lature, at the time holding down a Sedg-
wick county claim. In 1872 he was nominated to
the state senate but was defeated. However he
was consoed for this set back by being appointed
doorkeeper OF the house of representatives La
Washington, job which he held until 1870
While there he made the discovery as he be-
leved, that the lands In the western part OF
Indian Territory. which had been coded by the
Creek Indians to the government for occupation
by the other Civilized Tribes and by freedmen
In reality belonged to the public lands OF the
United States and were therefore open to settle
ment. lie Ind seen the richness OF these lands
during his Indian campaigning with Custer and
he resolved that the landhungry white men
should possess them. So he formed the okla
homa Colony and for the next five years de-
voted most OF his time to that project.
He was born orator. says Sutton, .'and he
became the evangelist OF that promised land. go
Ing up and down the border preaching that 1t
was sinful waste for that rich soil to be held
for few Indians who would not till It, while 80
many farmers were eager to 90 In and possess
1t and improve It. Many thought him n dreamer
and a crank but he knew that every colony
that went and was expelled stirred up the agI-
tation and FASTENED the day when the land would
be opened"
The principal opposition to Paynes project
came from the cattle barons who were using the
land for free grazing, and they had sufficient
influence with the federal authorities so that,
every time Payne led his Boomers into Okla
homa. federal troops were sent to arrest and
evct them. Despite studlous efforts to keep the
matter out OF the civil courts where the Issue
could be tried on the merits Of the case. Payne
succeeded several times In getting 1t Into court
where he won out and started back once more
to try again
To aid In his project Payne established news
paper which had one of the most unusual careers
In the history of American journalism Grace f.
Ray Of the school Of journalism Mt the University
of Oklahoma In her history OF EARLY Oklahoma
Newspapers has this to say about 1t:
.Thc Oklahoma War Chief, established by
David l.. Payne as the official organ OF his Okla
homa Colony was, like the colony Illegal In Its
operation and consequently had turbulent and
uncertain existence. 1t was established and main
talned solely for the purpose OF furtherlng
paynes policy Of advocating the opening OF the
Territory to settlement The first Issue was pub
lished at CALDWELL Kansas. on January Il. 1888,
but 1t seldom published two issues In succession
4 In the same place, for 1t was moved from town
to town along the Oklahoma Kansas line, as
Payne forced to move his colony. which was
almost constantly pursued by federal officers
THE War Chief was Issued weekly more or
less regularly. but Its size and style, and some
times even its NAME changed perceptibly as It
was moved about Sometimes II wns entitled
the Oklahoma Chief and sometimes the Okla
homa War Chief. ..