The Coolidge examiner., 1934-11-16
falling asleep


OF the adventures with Indians which Buel and
the other writer's attribute TO him at this time
But one In inclined TO doubt some OF the details
OF this yarn. In view o; Clusters simple state
ment that after the rescue OF the two white
women. the Kansas volunteer troops marched
back 10 Fort Hays whore they were mustered
out OF service"
But whatever Payne's record as an Indian
lighter was politics next occupied his attention
and In 1870 he was elected 10 the Kansas legls
lature. at the same time holding down a Sedg
wick county claim. In 1872 he was nominated 20
the state senate but was defeated. However he
was consoled for this set back by being appointed
doorkeeper OF the house OF representatives In
Washington. sob which he held until 1873
While there he made the discovery. as be be-
lleved. that the lands In the western part OF
Indian Territory. which had been ceded by the
Greek Indians 10 the government for occupation
by the other Civilized Tribes and by freedmen,
In reality belonged 10 the public lands OF the
United States and were therefore open TO settle
menL He had seen the richness OF these lands
during his Indian campaigning with Custer and
he resolved that the lAnd-hungry white men
should possess them. So he formed the "okla
homa Colony" and for the next Eve years de-
voted most Of his time to that project.
"He was a born orator." says Sutton. and he
Ing up and down the border. preaching that II
a sinful waste for that rich soil to be held
for few Indians who would not till Il. while so
many farmers were eager to 10 In and possess
IL and improve II Many thought him a dreamer
and 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 10 arrest and
evict 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 II into court,
where he won out and started back once more
10 try again.
To aid In his project Payne established q news
paper which had one OF the most unusual careers
In the history Of American Journalism Grace e.
Ray OF the school of Journalism at the University
of Oklahoma in her history OF EARLY Oklahoma
Newspapers has this to say about It:
The 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 a turbulent and
uncertain existence. 1t was established and main
| talned solely for the purpose OF furthering
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 II seldom published two issues In succession
In the same place. for II was moved from town
to town along the Oklahoma-Kansas line, as
Payne was 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 perceptlbly as II
was moved about. Sometimes II was entitled
the Oklahoma Chief and sometimes the Okla
homa War Chief.