Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1890 — A SECOND OKLAHOMA. [ARTICLE]

A SECOND OKLAHOMA.

EXCITING SCENES AT THE OPENING OF THE SIOUX RESERVATION. A Wild Rush Across the Missouri River for Sites on the New Public Lands—A Cannon’s Shot the Signal lor a Grand Stampede so;- the Indians’ Re:ent Possessions. Chamberlain (S, D.) dispatch: .Oklahoma’s history Avas repeated when news was received that the President had issued his proclamation opening the Sioux reservation. The bulletin was received at 3:30 o'clock, and two minutes later the frozen surface of the Missouri was black witli boomers, in wagons, on horseback and on foot, madly rushing toward the promised land. There were fully three thousand persons in the throng, comprising a portion of the overflow from Oklahoma, a large number of New Englanders and about 500 South Dakotans, principally residents of this city. For three months representatives of townsite companies having headquarters in Watertown, Huron, Mitchell and this city have been here, each planning how to get across the river ahead of the others and locate a town site immediately opposite Chamberlain. The representatives of the local company outgeneraled their competitors. Men were secreted in the brush along the river bank, and as soon as news of the proclamation was received a cannon was fired by the company's chief at this telegraph office, and the men who had lain in the brush since midnight were up and across the river before the other fellows had heard the news. There has been considerable claimjumping already, and an'endless train of Avagons and sleighs is conveying lumber and supplies to those who have staked out claims on the broad acres of the reservation, Troops are patrolling the reservation to preserve the peace, and although there will be much litigation between claimants of land, particularly over the choice claims along the river bank, there is no probability of any serious trouble. Pierre (S. D.) dispatch: The first intimation received by the thousand? of boomers gathered that the President had issued his proclamation opening the Sioux reservation settlement was conveyed by the discharge of a cannon in front of the State-House. At once there was a scene of excitement. The crowd that blocked the street in front of the telegraph office since early morning made a break for the coveted mile square across the river, but when they reached the west bank they found three companies of troops under Col. Tessin drawn up in line. They Avere informed that as the military authorities had not received orders to allow settlers to enter the reservation none Avould be allowed there. This was a sore disappointment, but it Avas useless to parley. Col. Tossin would not recede from his position. Two miles down the ri\’er from Fort Pierre several hundred boomers crossed the river, invaded the reservation and began to stake out claims. As soon as the main body had been driven back to this city the troops and Indian police went in pursuit of the others, and all except a dozen or so have been sent back to this side. As the cannon started the rush so it stopped the wheels of legislation temporarily. The members of both houses shouted themselves hoaise and then adjourned in honor of the event.