Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1904 — RUSH TO THE ROSEBUD [ARTICLE]

RUSH TO THE ROSEBUD

THOUSANDS OF LAND-SEEKERB CAMPED AT BONESTEEL. Town Grows from One Store to a City of Thousand* Ground Rents Are Enormous Gambling of All Kinds in Fall BImL ; Bonesteel (S. D.) correspondence: There was a time when all roads led to Rome. It is changed now, and they all lead to Bonesteel. And from the looks of this town, the very newest of the entire great West, every one has taken to the road that leads, by the way of Bonesteel, to the Rosebud Indian country, which has been thrown open for settlement. Miles and miles before the trains, which are crowded to their utmost capacity, come within sight of the town, the would be settlors on horseback, in wagons, and ssgn&len on foot, may be seen wendinrafi|ft‘ way along the old Indian in later years, was ma£e into government road, bent on reaching Bonesteel. In the town proper hundreds of these seekers after Rosebud lands are camped In tents and wagons, while still others are gathered in the dozens of frail rooming houses which have been hastily thrown together. Two years ago Bonesteel consisted of one lonely country store. Two months ago it was a thriving town of 1,000, with a number Of good, substantial buildings. To-day it is a city of thousands, most of whom are living in tents. Saloons there are and gambling dens galore. Never In the palmy days of Deadwood was gambling more rife than in Bonesteel. About every game ever invented can be found In one or more of the many public resorts. There are fifty pouieemen, ten of whom .are

United States marshals. In addition, there are three companies of United States troops from Fort Niobrara, who assist in preserving order. Ground Renta Enormous. Ground rents are something awful in this town. James Coyle owns a small lot on Main street Three weeks ago he valued the lot at $2,000. Six months ago It was worth probably SIOO. To-day Coyle asks $3,200 for the ground rent for the next sixty days, any building erected to remain on the lot when It Is returned to him. And he will get his price, too. A five-room residence Is rented for the next two months at $l5O a month. A small space, 5x12 feet, between two stories, Is rented for S7O per month. Dave Forbes rented a corner lot for S3OO and erected a $l5O building thereon. He is now offered for his bargain. According to several professional locaters Oklahoma will probably furnißh more would be homesteaders than any State in the Union. Michigan and Wisconsin come next, while lowa and Illinois will also be heavily represented. Minnesota and Nebraska will sen 4 large quotas, and numerous inquiries have been received from Kansas. In fact, thoso Btntes which were settled by homesteaders originally,, are sending their young sons and daughters to settle the Rosebud country. They know what the free homes did for the older states, and will repeat the operations of the law out here. Of the far Eastern States Massachusetts probably leads, with both New York and Pennsylvania as close seconds. A large number of women school teachers are coming from New England States, having arranged to take In Bonesteel and the St. Louis exposition on their vacations. Those who are successful In drawing desirable claims will probably never return to their old homes except on visits. Joaquin Miguel Artal, who. on April 12, attempted to assassinate Premier Manra, was tried In the assize court in Barcelona, Spaip, found guilty and sentenced to seventeen years’ Imprisonment