Volume 17 , Issue 36

5 Sept. 1893, The Border Boomers

Two weeks before the Oklahoma Land Run of 1893 we find this news article in "The Wichita Daily Eagle," dated 5 September 1893, Tuesday morning: "The Border Boomers." The number in camp on the line much exaggerated. The government troops enforcing to the letter secretary Smith's order to eject Sooners. There was also a detailed account of the Battle at Ingalls between Deputy Marshals and Outlaws, with Arkansas Tom thought to have done most of the Fatal shooting. The attempt to surprise the gang defeated by a woman.

Found on Newspapers.com

Arkansas City, Kansas, Sept. 4 (1893) -- In view of the fact that many conflicting reports had been sent to the dailies throughout the north and east concerning the number homemakers along the Kansas border of the Cherokee strip by persons who had a pecuniary interest in attracting settlers to their several locations, a representative of the Associated Press was detailed to make an investigation of the truth or falsity of the different reports.

A trip extending from Arkansas City to immediately south of Anthony, a distance of sixty-five miles, was made, and it could be said with absolute certainty that there were less than 5,000 people, including residents of cities and towns, who expected to make a run for quarter-sections or for two lots in the vast county to be opened on the 16th. A thorough investigation at the camps and interviews with merchants who supplied settlers showed that less than 2,000 homemakers were in and around Arkansas City. In consequence of the prevailing drouth throughout southern Kansas a larger number was drawn to Arkansas City than to any other point on account of the abundant supply of water furnished by the Arkansas and Walnut rivers and the springs from which this city of 10,000 people drew its supply.

Another factor assigned by citizens and boomers for the large number gathering there was the generally accepted opinion that the gulf division of the Santa Fe runs through the most fertile portion of the strip. It was along this line, it was claimed, that many towns and cities would be built.

Caldwell, Kan., Sept. 4 (1893) -- The order given by the secretary of the interior to eject all persons from he Cherokee Strip was being faithfully complied with by the soldiers at this place. Every day boomers were brought back who had attempted to make an entrance to that country. The drivers of a good many wagons had been arrested while enrollee through the Strip. These people generally had their filing papers with them, showing that they had land and were simply going through the country to their homes. That makes no difference to Uncle Sam's sentinels. They had orders to allow no one to pass and enforce them to the letter. The rush up to this time had been mostly from western and central Kansas and Missouri, but as the time drew near for the race people were coming from a distance by rail. The Rock Island railway brought in a load the night before and another this morning, mostly from Colorado and the west.

J. J. Cole, from the general land office, had arrived there. Mr. Pike would have charge of the registration booth at Hennessey and Mr. Cole would be in charge of the booth at this place.
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